Overview
Melanotan I (Afamelanotide / MT-1) is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) engineered for photoprotection and natural skin tanning.
What problem it targets: It targets sun hypersensitivity, phototoxicity (such as erythropoietic protoporphyria / EPP), severe sunburn risk in fair skin, and lack of natural protective melanin.
What It Does
• Selectively activates melanocortin 1 receptors (MC1R): Binds MC1R on skin melanocytes, stimulating the natural synthesis of photoprotective eumelanin pigment.
• Provides natural internal UV protection: Deepens natural skin pigmentation, creating a protective melanin shield that absorbs and deflects UV rays, drastically cutting sunburn risk.
• Exceptional receptor selectivity: Unlike Melanotan II, MT-1 has minimal binding to MC3R and MC4R, avoiding central side effects like nausea, facial flushing, and spontaneous sexual arousal.
• Realistic expectations: Requires gradual dosing over several weeks paired with minimal UV light exposure to build a natural, sun-protective tan that persists for months.
Reconstitution
| Vial size | BAC water / Solvent | Concentration |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | + 2 mL | 5 mg/mL |
Protocol
| Phase | Frequency | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loading (Weeks | 2×/week | 250 | Loading cadence, 500 mcg/week total. Pair with daily 15–30 min UV exposure to build baseline melanin. Slower- |
| 1–4) | SubQ | mcg | |
| Maintenance | 1×/week | 250 | Maintenance cadence, 250 mcg/week total (half the loading rate). Sustains pigmentation with continued UV |
| (Weeks 5+) | SubQ | mcg | |
| Off | With UV | – | As desired. MT-1 has a cleaner side-effect profile than MT-2 (no nausea, libido changes, or appetite suppression). cycle Cycle: 4 weeks loading + ongoing maintenance with seasonal UV. Cleanest results with consistent UV exposure during the loading phase. Timing: Daily during loading, then maintenance 2–3×/week. Evidence: not approved; afamelanotide is the only approved α-MSH analog. Reviews flag melanoma/mole risk. By sex: Melanocortin effects hit both sexes: skin and mole darkening (melanoma monitoring), nausea, appetite drop. Same MC1R pathway in men and women. |
Handling & Stacking
- Freeze-dried: -4°F.
- Reconstituted: 36–46°F.
- Best used within 28 days, otherwise potency gradually fades over ~4–6 weeks (structure-based estimate, no published data).
- Protect from light.
