Peptide profile
Melanotan I (Melanotan-1)
Selective melanocortin-1 receptor agonist
Compare Melanotan I (Melanotan-1) with other peptides →Summary
A helper that tans your skin without the sun.
- Typical dose
- 0.25-1.0mg Daily for loading, then weekly
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- Cycle length
- 10-day loading, then maintenance
- Evidence
- Animal data
Mechanism
How it works
Melanotan I works like a spray-tan from the inside — it tells your skin cells to produce more natural dark pigment (eumelanin) without UV exposure.
Melanotan I (NDP-α-MSH) is a synthetic analog of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone that selectively activates MC1-R receptors on melanocytes, inducing eumelanin production.
Reported in research
Benefits
- Helps your skin make a tan without sunlight
- Causes fewer body changes than Melanotan II
- May help shield your skin a little from the sun
- Might lower skin cancer risk (this is just an idea)
Context, not a prescription
Dosing
- Typical range
- 0.25-1.0mg Daily for loading, then weekly (Subcutaneous)
- Cycle length
- 10-day loading, then maintenance
Safety
Side effects & contraindications
Possible side effects
- Nausea (mild, less than MTII)
- Facial flushing
- Increased libido (less than MTII)
- Darkening of moles
- Prolonged erections (rare, less than MTII)
- Severe nausea
Contraindications
- High mole count or atypical moles
- Melanoma history
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Research information, not medical advice. Always consult a licensed clinician before considering any peptide.
In depth
Full profile
What it does
Your skin slowly gets darker. You burn less easily, and your hair may get darker.
How it works
Melanotan I works like a spray-tan from the inside. It tells your skin cells to make more natural dark color, with no sun needed.
It mostly grabs onto the skin-color switch. It barely touches the other switches that Melanotan II affects. So it causes fewer side effects.
What to expect
Your skin darkens after about 5-10 shots. The full tan shows in 2-3 weeks.
- Days 1-3: Your skin gets a little darker. You might feel a bit sick.
- Days 5-10: Your tan keeps getting darker.
- Week 2 onward: You keep your tan with smaller, less frequent doses.
Good to know
- Begin with a very tiny dose (0.1mg)
- Have a skin doctor check your moles
- Still wear sunscreen (a tan does not fully protect you)
Staying safe
- Feeling a little sick (mild, less than MTII)
- A warm, red face
- A bit more interest in sex (less than MTII)
- Moles getting darker
Avoid if you have:
- People with many moles or odd-looking moles
- People who have had skin cancer before
- People who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Mechanism of action
Melanotan I (NDP-α-MSH) is a synthetic analog of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone that selectively activates MC1-R receptors on melanocytes, inducing eumelanin production.
Binds with high affinity to MC1-R but less to MC3-R/MC4-R compared to Melanotan II, resulting in fewer sexual side effects.
Pharmacodynamics
Pigmentation within 5-10 injections; full effect at 2-3 weeks.
Gradual skin darkening, reduced UV sensitivity, darker hair.
Timeline
- Days 1-3: Subtle skin darkening, possible mild nausea.
- Days 5-10: Progressive tanning effect.
- Week 2 onward: Maintenance phase with reduced dosing.
Comparisons
- Melanotan I — effectiveness High, safety Fair, cost $, Easy to use
- Melanotan II — effectiveness High, safety Fair, cost $, Easy to use
Adverse effects
Common:
- Nausea (mild, less than MTII)
- Facial flushing
- Increased libido (less than MTII)
- Darkening of moles
Rare:
- Prolonged erections (rare, less than MTII)
- Severe nausea
Contraindications & risk mitigation
Contraindicated in:
- High mole count or atypical moles
- Melanoma history
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Start with very low dose (0.1mg)
- Monitor moles with dermatologist
- Use sunscreen (tan does not fully protect)
Qué hace
Tu piel se oscurece lentamente. Te quemas con menos facilidad y tu cabello puede oscurecerse.
Cómo funciona
Melanotan I funciona como un bronceado en spray desde adentro. Le indica a las células de tu piel que produzcan más color oscuro natural, sin necesidad de sol.
Se une principalmente al interruptor del color de la piel. Apenas toca los otros interruptores que afecta Melanotan II. Por eso causa menos efectos secundarios.
Qué esperar
Tu piel se oscurece después de unas 5-10 inyecciones. El bronceado completo se nota en 2-3 semanas.
- Días 1-3: Tu piel se oscurece un poco. Podrías sentirte un poco enfermo.
- Días 5-10: Tu bronceado sigue oscureciéndose.
- Semana 2 en adelante: Mantienes el bronceado con dosis más pequeñas y menos frecuentes.
Bueno saber
- Comenzar con una dosis muy pequeña (0.1 mg)
- Que un dermatólogo revise tus lunares
- Seguir usando protector solar (un bronceado no te protege completamente)
Manteniéndose seguro
- Sentirse un poco enfermo (leve, menos que MTII)
- Cara caliente y enrojecida
- Un poco más de interés sexual (menos que MTII)
- Lunares que se oscurecen
Evitar si tienes:
- Personas con muchos lunares o lunares de apariencia extraña
- Personas que han tenido cáncer de piel anteriormente
- Personas que están embarazadas o en periodo de lactancia
Mecanismo de acción
Melanotan I (NDP-α-MSH) es un análogo sintético de la hormona estimulante de los melanocitos α que activa selectivamente los receptores MC1-R en los melanocitos, induciendo la producción de eumelanina.
Se une con alta afinidad a MC1-R, pero menos a MC3-R/MC4-R en comparación con Melanotan II, lo que resulta en menos efectos secundarios sexuales.
Farmacodinamia
Pigmentación en 5-10 inyecciones; efecto completo en 2-3 semanas.
Oscurecimiento gradual de la piel, menor sensibilidad a los rayos UV, cabello más oscuro.
Cronología
- Días 1-3: Oscurecimiento sutil de la piel, posibles náuseas leves.
- Días 5-10: Efecto de bronceado progresivo.
- Semana 2 en adelante: Fase de mantenimiento con dosis reducidas.
Comparaciones
- Melanotan I — efectividad Alta, seguridad Aceptable, costo $, Fácil de usar
- Melanotan II — efectividad Alta, seguridad Aceptable, costo $, Fácil de usar
Efectos adversos
Comunes:
- Náuseas (leves, menos que MTII)
- Enrojecimiento facial
- Aumento de la libido (menos que MTII)
- Oscurecimiento de lunares
Raros:
- Erecciones prolongadas (raras, menos que MTII)
- Náuseas severas
Contraindicaciones y mitigación de riesgos
Contraindicado en:
- Alta cantidad de lunares o lunares atípicos
- Antecedentes de melanoma
- Embarazo o lactancia
- Comenzar con dosis muy baja (0.1 mg)
- Monitorear lunares con dermatólogo
- Usar protector solar (el bronceado no protege completamente)
Reference data
Specifications
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- Cycle length
- 10-day loading, then maintenance
FAQ
Common questions
Is Melanotan I safer than Melanotan II?
More selective, fewer sexual side effects, but still unregulated with risks.
Does it protect against skin cancer?
Eumelanin provides some UV protection, but not a substitute for sunscreen.
What is the evidence level?
This compound is classified as Animal data. Most data comes from preclinical animal studies. Human clinical trial evidence is limited or absent.
Research
Research & sources
Current evidence for Melanotan I (Melanotan-1) is rated as Animal data. Research is based primarily on animal models.
- 1. Melanotan I clinical trial (1996) — DOI:10.1111/1523-1747.ep12471709
- 2. Melanocortin-1 receptor agonists (2011) — DOI:10.1038/jid.2010.422
- 3. Melanotan I clinical trial (1996)
- 4. Melanocortin-1 receptor agonists (2011)