What Is Melanotan I?

Melanotan I is a synthetic peptide of 13 amino acids that copies alpha MSH, a hormone that tells skin cells to make the dark pigment melanin. Researchers at the University of Arizona created it in the 1980s while studying ways to protect skin from sun damage. It has other names too, including afamelanotide and NDP alpha MSH.

Many people search for melanotan i peptide, and that phrase refers to the same compound. In short, it is a laboratory version of a natural skin hormone.

Melanotan I and Scenesse: The Part Most Sellers Skip

Afamelanotide became a real medicine. The FDA approved it in October 2019 under the brand name Scenesse for adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria, a rare inherited condition that makes sunlight painful. Doctors give it as a slow release implant under the skin, and patients need regular skin checks.

That approved product is not the same thing as a research vial. Scenesse is made and quality controlled as a drug, it goes in as an implant, and the FDA did not approve it for cosmetic tanning. A research vial carries none of those assurances.

How It Works

Afamelanotide mainly activates the MC1R receptor, which controls pigment production in skin cells. That selectivity sets it apart from Melanotan II, which hits several receptors.

Melanotan I vs Melanotan II: Why They Are Not Interchangeable

People often mix up the two, and the differences matter.

	Melanotan I	Melanotan II
Also called	Afamelanotide	MT2
Structure	Linear peptide, 13 amino acids	Smaller cyclic peptide
Receptor targets	Mostly MC1R	MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R
Approved drug	Yes, as Scenesse for EPP	No
Reported effects	Skin darkening, implant site reactions, nausea	Skin darkening plus nausea, flushing, and spontaneous erections
Regulatory status	One FDA approved use	Unapproved

In short, Melanotan II acts on more receptors, and its side effects come largely from the brain related ones. Melanotan I is the more selective compound, and it is the only one that reached approval. For the sexual health compound that came out of this research family, see our PT-141 page.

Melanotan I Research: What We Know and What We Do Not

What the Clinical Trials Showed

Several trials supported Scenesse. In adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria, those who received the implant could spend more time in sunlight without pain than those who received placebo. That is a specific medical result in a specific disease.

What the Trials Did Not Test

They did not test tanning in healthy people, and they did not test self injected vials. Therefore, the approval does not tell you that a research vial works or is safe for any cosmetic purpose.

Melanotan I For Sale: Product Details

Melanotan I 10mg Vial

One vial, clearly labeled, with documentation you can check.

Concentration : 10mg per vial
Purity :  HPLC verified, third party tested
Format : lyophilized powder, supplied for reconstitution with bacteriostatic water
Includes : storage reference card, COA with identity and purity data
Delivery : 1 to 2 business days, discreet and tracked

How Much Melanotan Should I Take? Why We Give No Number

This is one of the most common searches in this category, and we understand why. We still won’t publish a dose.

No validated dosing protocol exists for research vials. The only approved form is a clinician administered implant, and an implant releases the peptide slowly over weeks, so it behaves very differently from an injection. Numbers on forums and social media come from personal experience, and individual reactions vary widely.

If you’re thinking about use beyond the laboratory, talk with a licensed physician first.

Melanotan I Safety: What to Know Before You Buy

Regulators have repeatedly warned about unapproved melanotan products sold for tanning. Here is why.

Skin and Mole Changes

Scenesse’s label advises full body skin exams twice a year, because the drug darkens skin. Case reports have linked unregulated melanotan products to darkening and changes in moles. Anyone with many moles, a personal or family history of skin cancer, or fair skin that burns easily should avoid it. Pigment changes can also make it harder to spot warning signs.

Common Side Effects

Nausea and implant site reactions appeared most often in the trials. Flushing and headaches also appear in reports.

Quality Risks

Unapproved vials vary in purity and content. Because they carry no regulatory oversight, a seller’s documentation is the only check you have.

Who Should Avoid It

Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should not use this compound. People with skin cancer history, unexplained skin changes, or liver disease should speak with a physician first. In addition, a tan from any source does not replace sun protection.

Where to Buy Melanotan I: What to Check Before You Order

A search for where can i buy melanotan returns sellers of very different quality. Check these points first.

What to verify	Why it matters
Lot matched COA	It ties the lab result to your exact batch
HPLC purity and identity data	It shows the vial contains Melanotan I, not Melanotan II or another product
Clear product name and amount	Sellers often blur the two melanotan compounds
Real support contact	It tells you someone stands behind the product

We provide each of these on every batch. Browse our full peptide catalog to compare other compounds.

Melanotan I Regulatory Status in 2026

The FDA has approved afamelanotide only as the Scenesse implant for erythropoietic protoporphyria. Research vials are not approved drugs, and sellers offer them as research compounds. Read the FDA announcement on Scenesse and the FDA compounding guidance for current rules before you buy.

Ready to Order Melanotan I?

You now know what Melanotan I is, how it differs from Scenesse and from Melanotan II, and where the evidence ends. The last step is choosing a source, and that choice decides what arrives at your door.

Every vial ships with a lot matched COA. Orders placed before 2pm ship the same day, and a real team member answers every question.

Buy Melanotan I 10mg
Questions Before You Order? Contact Us

Free shipping on orders above $200. Discreet outer packaging. Fully tracked.

Frequently Asked Questions: Melanotan I

What is Melanotan I?

Melanotan I is a 13 amino acid peptide that copies alpha MSH. It is also called afamelanotide, and the FDA approved it as the Scenesse implant for erythropoietic protoporphyria.

Is Melanotan I the same as Scenesse?

They share the same active compound, but not the same product. Scenesse is an approved, quality controlled implant given by clinicians. A research vial is not an approved drug.

What is the difference between Melanotan I and II?

Melanotan I mostly targets one receptor and reached FDA approval for one rare disease. Melanotan II targets several receptors, causes more side effects such as nausea and flushing, and is not approved.

How much Melanotan should I take?

No validated dose exists for research vials, so we do not publish dosing protocols. Anyone considering use outside a laboratory should consult a licensed physician.

Is Melanotan I safe?

Scenesse has trial safety data in a specific patient group under medical monitoring. Unregulated vials lack that oversight, and skin and mole changes are a documented concern.

Does Melanotan I protect against sunburn?

Scenesse was approved to help people with a light sensitivity disorder tolerate more sunlight. It does not replace sunscreen, and its label tells patients to keep using sun protection.

How should I store Melanotan I?

Keep unopened vials cold and away from light, and follow the storage card in your package. After reconstitution, keep the solution refrigerated and use it within the window stated on the card.

Where can I buy Melanotan I?

You can order it from our store with a lot matched COA. Whichever seller you choose, confirm that the product is Melanotan I and not Melanotan II.

Is Melanotan I legal to buy?

Sellers can offer it as a research compound in the US, and the FDA has approved only the Scenesse implant for one disease. Check current guidance, because rules change often.