Overview
What it is.
Melanotan I is a melanocortin-receptor agonist studied for its role in melanin production and photoprotection-related research questions, distinct from — though related to — Melanotan II in mechanism.
Research Areas
- Studied for its potential role in melanin-production and photoprotection research
- Studied more broadly for melanocortin-receptor activity
- Studied for skin-pigmentation effects in sun-protection-related research contexts
Batch & Testing
Proof, not promises.
COA ships with every order
The Certificate of Analysis for your batch ships in the box with your order. We're publishing the certificate archive here next.
Research Deep-Dive
How it works.
Research Deep-Dive
How it works.
Melanotan I and afamelanotide are the same peptide molecule, but understanding it honestly means separating two very different products that share the name. Afamelanotide is FDA-approved, as the specialist-administered Scenesse implant, for a rare light-sensitivity condition. Separately, 'Melanotan I' vials sold online for tanning are an entirely different, unregulated product with no connection to the approved implant.
Afamelanotide is a selective agonist at the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), which stimulates eumelanin (protective dark pigment) production in the skin independent of sunlight exposure — the mechanism underlying both its approved photoprotective use and its unauthorized use for cosmetic tanning.
Use Cases Explored
- Studied and FDA-approved (as afamelanotide/Scenesse) for increasing pain-free light tolerance in a specific rare condition
- Studied more broadly for melanocortin-1-receptor activity and melanin production
- Studied for pigmentation effects in the context of photoprotection research
The Evidence
FDA approval — pivotal Phase 3 trials (2019)
The FDA approved Scenesse based on two placebo-controlled trials (published in NEJM, 2015) totaling more than 160 patients; in the larger trial, implant recipients tolerated significantly more direct sunlight exposure on pain-free days (64 hours over 180 days) than placebo recipients (41 hours).
Approved safety profile
The FDA-reviewed safety data lists implant-site reactions, nausea, headache, fatigue, and skin hyperpigmentation as the most common adverse effects in the approved-use population, monitored under specialist administration with periodic full-body skin exams.
Gray-market use — no controlled trial data
Injectable 'Melanotan I' products sold online for tanning have not been evaluated in controlled trials for that use; because the molecule shares its mechanism with Melanotan II, the same categories of concern (pigment-cell stimulation, contamination risk from unregulated reconstitution) apply, even though Melanotan I's published adverse-event record is smaller than Melanotan II's.
Specifications
The essentials.
Specifications
The essentials.
- Form
- Lyophilized powder
- Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate at 2–8°C after reconstitution
- Shelf life
- 24 months lyophilized; 4–6 weeks refrigerated after reconstitution
- Solubility
- Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water
- Vial capacity
- 3 ml glass vial
Questions
Melanotan I FAQ
Questions
Melanotan I FAQ
What is Melanotan I studied for?+
Melanotan I is studied for its role in melanin production and photoprotection-related research questions, along with broader melanocortin-receptor activity.
What distinguishes Melanotan I's research focus from Melanotan II's?+
Melanotan I is examined for a narrower photoprotection and pigmentation focus, while Melanotan II is studied for broader melanocortin-receptor activity extending into appetite and arousal pathways.
How should Melanotan I be handled and stored?+
It ships as a lyophilized powder in a single 10 mg size. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water and refrigerate at 2–8°C after mixing — good for roughly 4–6 weeks refrigerated, or up to 24 months unreconstituted in a cool, dry place.
What testing does this batch undergo?+
Every batch is HPLC tested for purity and identity, plus sterility and endotoxin screening, before release. The Certificate of Analysis for that lot ships with your order.
Cellular & Longevity
Melanotan I
Afamelanotide
A melanocortin peptide studied for pigmentation and photoprotection-pathway research.
Size
Multi-vial pricing
Per-vial pricing, applied automatically. No code needed.
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All products sold by One Tap Peptides are intended for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption. Not intended for animal use. Not intended for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
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