Melanotan 1 (MT-1)
Stimulates natural skin tanning safely
- Tanning/UV Protection
Requires regular dermatological monitoring due to effects on moles and pigmented lesions Should not be used in individuals with personal or family history of melanoma without specialist supervision Long-term safety data beyond several years remains limited Not approved for cosmetic tanning purposes — approved formulation (Scenesse) is only for erythropoietic protoporphyria
Mechanism of Action
Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide) is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that selectively binds to melanocortin 1 receptors (MC1R) on melanocytes. This binding activates adenylyl cyclase, increasing intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels, which triggers the melanogenesis pathway and stimulates production of eumelanin—the protective dark pigment in skin. Key Pathways: MC1R receptor activation and cAMP signaling cascade, Tyrosinase enzyme upregulation and eumelanin biosynthesis, MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) activation The increased eumelanin production results in skin darkening (tanning) without UV exposure, providing photoprotection. This mechanism underlies its approved use in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), where patients cannot tolerate sunlight—the induced pigmentation allows increased light tolerance and reduced phototoxic reactions.
Common Dose Reference Ranges
Educational reference ranges only — discuss actual dosing with a qualified healthcare provider.
Full Melanotan 1 (MT-1) protocols — frequency, timing, cycle length, reconstitution & research
- Facial flushing
- Nausea
- Fatigue/tiredness
- Headache
- Injection site reactions
- Changes in existing moles/nevi
- Development of new pigmented lesions
- Dizziness