Peptide Safely
FDA-approvedTanning

Melanotan I

Also called Afamelanotide, Scenesse, [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH, CUV1647

A lab-made tanning hormone, approved as an implant for a rare light-sensitivity disease.

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Typical dose16 mg implant
How oftenOne implant every 2 months
Half-lifeAbout 15 hours (from the implant, per FDA label)
Vial sizes10 mg

The simple version

What it does
It darkens your skin without sun by switching on pigment cells.
How people take it
The approved form is a 16 mg implant placed under the skin once every 2 months.
Know this
It's only approved as a clinic-placed implant for EPP, and powder sold online for tanning isn't the same thing.

What it is

Melanotan I (drug name afamelanotide) is a lab-made version of the hormone that tells your skin to tan. The FDA approved it in 2019 as Scenesse, a rice-sized implant that a trained clinician places under the skin. It treats EPP, a rare genetic condition where sunlight causes severe burning pain.

How it works

It switches on pigment cells so they make dark brown pigment, even without sun. The darker skin then blocks more light. It mostly targets those pigment cells, so it causes fewer of the sex-drive and appetite effects seen with Melanotan II.

FDA-approved for: Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) in adults, to increase pain-free light exposure (2019, as the Scenesse implant)

What people use it for

  • Sun sensitivity from EPP (approved use)
  • Tanning without sun (not approved)
  • Other light-sensitive skin conditions (studied)

The evidence

FDA-approved

In two randomized trials in people with EPP, the implant let patients spend more time in direct sun without pain and improved their quality of life. The gains were real but modest. It hasn't been tested or approved for cosmetic tanning, and injecting powder sold online isn't the same as the approved slow-release implant.

How people dose it

Label doseFDA labelTrial doseclinical trialsReportedcommon use, untested

FDA label (EPP implant)

Label dose
Dose
16 mg implant
How often
One implant every 2 months
When
Often started before spring and summer
Cycle
Ongoing, as prescribed
Route
Subcutaneous implant above the hip bone, placed by a trained healthcare professional

Why: The implant releases the drug slowly over weeks, so one covers about two months. Patients still need sun protection.

Start at the low end, and change one thing at a time. If you take medication or have a health condition, check with a doctor first.

Mix & measure

Set up for a 10 mg vial. Change any number to match yours. New to this? Read how to mix a vial and mg vs mL vs units first.

mg
mL
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Plan your supplies

Pick your dose and how long you'll run it. We'll count what you need.

µg
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We may earn a commission from these links. Counts include one syringe and two swabs per dose.

Stay safe

Side effects

  • Skin changes at the implant spot, like discoloration or bruising (21%)
  • Nausea (19%)
  • Sore throat, cough, tiredness
  • Darker skin overall
  • Moles and freckles getting darker; new moles
  • Dizziness or sleepiness

Skip it if

  • You or close family have had melanoma
  • Lots of moles, or unusual ones you can't get checked
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding (no human data)
  • Under 18 (not established in kids, per the original label)

Get help right away for swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, chest pain, or a spreading, hot, red injection site.

Storage & legal

Storage

Implant: fridge (2–8 °C), in its original package. Powder: fridge or freezer. Once mixed: fridge, and use within about 4 weeks.

Legal status

FDA: Approved (2019) as the Scenesse implant for adults with EPP. Any other form or use is unapproved.

Sport (WADA): Not named on the WADA list. Athletes should check with their anti-doping agency.

Common questions

Is Melanotan I the same as Melanotan II?

No. Melanotan I (afamelanotide) mostly targets tanning and is FDA-approved for EPP. Melanotan II hits more targets, causes more side effects and isn't approved anywhere.

Do I still need sunscreen?

Yes. The label tells EPP patients to keep using sun protection, because a tan from this drug isn't full protection from UV damage.

What about my moles?

It can darken moles and freckles you already have. The label recommends a full skin check by a doctor twice a year.

Sources

  1. Langendonk JG, et al. Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(1):48-59. PubMed 26132941
  2. SCENESSE (afamelanotide) implant, FDA prescribing information (2019). Source
  3. Habbema L, et al. Risks of unregulated use of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogues: a review. Int J Dermatol. 2017;56(10):975-980. PubMed 28266027

Last checked 2026-10