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Melanotan I dosage and protocol

Analog of alpha-MSH for skin tanning and photoprotection. Less impact on libido than Melanotan II.

• Vial size: 10 mg
• Reconstitution: 3 mL bacteriostatic water
• Concentration: 3.33 mg/mL
• Administration: subcutaneous

Research areas

• Skin Tanning
• Photoprotection
• Melanin Regulation

Quick start

• Reconstitute: Add 3 mL bacteriostatic water to the 10 mg vial for about 3.33 mg/mL
• Typical dose: 500-1000 mcg daily for 1-2 weeks, then 500 mcg 2-3x weekly
• Easy measuring: At 3.33 mg/mL, 1 unit is about 33.3 mcg on a U-100 syringe; 500 mcg is about 15 units and 1000 mcg about 30 units
• Storage: Refrigerate after mixing; protect from light

Dosing protocol

How it works

Melanotan I, known pharmaceutically as afamelanotide, is a linear analog of alpha-MSH with two amino acid substitutions that make it far more stable and potent than the natural hormone. It acts mainly at the MC1R receptor on melanocytes, stimulating eumelanin production and darkening the skin. Eumelanin absorbs UV light and scavenges free radicals, and MC1R activation also appears to support DNA repair and antioxidant responses in skin cells. Because it is more selective than Melanotan II, it has far less effect on appetite and sexual function. Afamelanotide is an approved medicine: as Scenesse, a 16 mg controlled-release implant placed under the skin about every two months, it is approved in the European Union (2014) and by the FDA (2019) to increase pain-free light exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria, a rare light-sensitivity disorder. It has also been studied in vitiligo and polymorphic light eruption. The daily or several-times-weekly subcutaneous injection protocols used in research settings differ from the approved implant, and their pharmacokinetics and long-term safety have not been studied in the same way. Products sold outside pharmacies are unregulated.

Reconstitution steps

• Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe
• Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming
• Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake)
• Label with reconstitution date and refrigerate at 2–8°C, protected from light; use within 30 days

Storage

Store reconstituted peptide refrigerated. Protect from light.

Important notes

• Stimulates melanin production by binding to melanocortin-1 receptors
• Enhances tanning and may reduce UV-induced skin damage
• Approved for certain medical conditions (e.g., EPP) in some regions
• Side effects may include nausea, facial flushing, or darkening of moles
• Minimal systemic absorption - primarily cosmetic use
• Less libido effect compared to Melanotan II

Supplies

• Bacteriostatic water
• Insulin syringes
• Alcohol swabs

Calculate your Melanotan I dose in syringe units