Skip to content

Skin & pigment

All peptides
α-MSH analog (MC1R/MC4R agonist)

Melanotan I

Also known as: MT-1, MT-I, Afamelanotide, Scenesse, [Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-MSH

FDA-approved as Scenesse / afamelanotide for a rare genetic light-sensitivity disorder (erythropoietic protoporphyria). Note: this is the regulated melanocortin sibling — distinct from the more popular community 'tanning peptide' MT-2.

Reviewed 2026-05-04

What it does

Melanotan I (MT-1) is a synthetic 13-amino-acid analog of the natural hormone α-MSH. Unlike its close relative Melanotan II — a heavily community-used 'tanning peptide' with a much messier safety profile — MT-1 was developed as a pharmaceutical and is now FDA-approved as Scenesse (afamelanotide), a slow-release subcutaneous implant for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), an ultra-rare genetic light-sensitivity disorder. EU approval came in 2014 and FDA approval in 2019. Outside that single approved indication, MT-1 is also used off-label for vitiligo (some published trials) and as a tanning agent (community use), where the evidence base is much thinner. Be careful not to conflate MT-1 with MT-2 — the regulatory and safety stories are very different.

Used for

Dose

Dose
16,000 mcg · every 2 months
When
EveningEvening dosing puts α-MSH receptor activation peaking with overnight melanogenesis — the biology that makes the tan develop. Common nausea on early doses is also more tolerable when sleep absorbs the side-effect window.
Site
subcutaneous controlled-release implant (Scenesse, EPP)

Need exact volumes? Open the peptide calculator →

⚠ Caution

  • History of melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer (theoretical concern from sustained MC1R activation; melanoma surveillance is part of approved-product labeling)
  • Hypersensitivity to afamelanotide or formulation excipients
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding (limited safety data outside indication populations)
  • Significant pre-existing pigmented lesions requiring surveillance

Your stack

Track this peptide in your protocol — dose, schedule, vials on hand, refill projection. Stays in your browser; no account needed.

Add to my stack

Use this peptide

Featured in protocols
Co-injection & overlap

Redundant with

  • Melanotan II — Both are α-MSH analogs driving MC1R-mediated melanogenesis; combining them doubles melanocortin-receptor load and adverse-event risk (nausea, BP, priapism) without additive tanning benefit.; typically run one, not both.
Reconstitution & storage

Scenesse implant is supplied pre-formulated and inserted by a trained healthcare professional — no patient reconstitution. Off-label/research lyophilized MT-1 powder reconstituted with bacteriostatic water; concentrations vary by vendor — verify per batch.

Storage. Scenesse implant: refrigerate per label until use. Lyophilized off-label powder: refrigerate; reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.

Open the peptide calculator →

Monitoring & questions

Reported side effects
  • Implant-site reactions (pain, erythema, hyperpigmentation at insertion site)
  • Diffuse skin darkening (the on-target effect; expected)
  • New or darkened nevi (mole surveillance is part of routine post-implant care)
  • Headache
  • Nausea (less prominent than with MT-2)
  • Fatigue
  • Decreased appetite (modest; MC4R-mediated)

Reference

How it works

Selective agonist at melanocortin receptors, primarily MC1R (drives melanogenesis in melanocytes — the photoprotective mechanism in EPP and the cosmetic mechanism for tanning) and MC4R (modulates appetite and sexual function, less prominent than at MC3R/MC4R for MT-2). Stimulates eumelanin synthesis, providing endogenous photoprotection against UV-driven and visible-light-driven phototoxic skin reactions.

Juno's take

MT-1 is the rare melanocortin analog that actually made it through FDA — for a single rare indication. The evidence is genuinely strong for that one use, and meaningful for vitiligo combined with light therapy. Once the use case shifts to cosmetic tanning in healthy adults, the safety data was collected in disease populations under medical supervision, not in chronic recreational users. The risk/benefit math is different. Don't conflate this with MT-2.

EvidenceTier 1 — Human RCT

Tiers are per indication. The same molecule can be Tier 1 for one use and Tier 4 for another — the tier reflects published literature, not community framing.

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) — phototoxicity prevention

Tier 1high confidence

FDA-approved as Scenesse in 2019 (EU 2014). Phase 3 program (Langendonk et al., NEJM 2015) demonstrated significantly reduced phototoxic reactions and increased pain-free sun exposure time. Tier 1 specifically for THIS rare indication with the implant formulation.

Langendonk JG et al. 2015

Vitiligo (adjunct, with phototherapy)

Tier 2high confidence

Multiple controlled trials of afamelanotide combined with NB-UVB phototherapy show faster and more extensive repigmentation in non-segmental vitiligo than NB-UVB alone (Lim et al., JAMA Dermatology 2015). Tier 2 because evidence is replicated but not yet at the regulatory-approval scale.

Lim HW et al. 2015

Cosmetic tanning

Tier 3high confidence

MT-1 does drive melanogenesis. Cosmetic tanning is not a regulator-approved indication and the safety profile is studied in EPP and vitiligo populations under medical supervision, not in chronic recreational use. The risk/benefit calculus for healthy adults seeking cosmetic tan does not match the regulatory data.

No primary citations are anchored to this indication — the tier reflects the absence of usable literature, not a missing reference.

Other photoprotection (e.g., polymorphous light eruption, solar urticaria)

Tier 3medium confidence

Small case series and uncontrolled reports support photoprotective benefit in these less-common photodermatoses. Limited controlled-trial replication.

No primary citations are anchored to this indication — the tier reflects the absence of usable literature, not a missing reference.

Citations (2)
  1. [1]
    Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria
    Langendonk JG, Balwani M, Anderson KE, et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 2015 · PMID 26132939
    Tier 1 anchor — the Phase 3 trial supporting FDA approval for EPP.
    View source
  2. [2]
    Afamelanotide and Narrowband UV-B Phototherapy for the Treatment of Vitiligo: A Randomized Multicenter Trial
    Lim HW, Grimes PE, Agbai O, et al. · JAMA Dermatology · 2015 · PMID 25471064
    Tier 2 anchor for the vitiligo + phototherapy combination indication.
    View source