home / compounds / Melanotan I
Melanotan I
Afamelanotide, Scenesse
Melanocortin agonist; the regulated version (afamelanotide) is approved for a rare condition.
What it is
An analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. Its regulated form, afamelanotide, is approved for erythropoietic protoporphyria.
What it does
Stimulates melanin production via melanocortin-1 receptor activation.
Does it work?
The approved indication is narrow and medically supervised. Unregulated cosmetic tanning use is a very different context, and dermatological bodies have raised concerns about mole changes and unmonitored use.
Claims vs data
Each marketing claim, tagged by what the evidence actually supports.
| Approved as afamelanotide for erythropoietic protoporphyria | supported |
| Increases tanning with less UV exposure | partially true |
| Safe for unsupervised cosmetic use | overreach |
Reference figures
Quoted from published reference material. These are not Peptuity recommendations.
The evidence, counted
Live counts from Europe PMC and ClinicalTrials.gov.
63 publications indexed, but only 2 randomised controlled trials and 0 registered interventional studies. Human evidence exists but is thin.
query: "Melanotan I" · checked 2026-08-07
Most-cited literature
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The melanocortin pathway and control of appetite-progress and therapeutic implications
Baldini G, Phelan KD. · J Endocrinol 2019 · 199 citations
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The melanocortin pathway and energy homeostasis: From discovery to obesity therapy
Yeo GSH, Chao DHM, Siegert AM, Koerperich ZM, Ericson MD, Simonds SE, · Mol Metab 2021 · 177 citations
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Applications of hot-melt extrusion for drug delivery
Repka MA, Majumdar S, Kumar Battu S, Srirangam R, Upadhye SB. · Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2008 · 130 citations
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UV signaling pathways within the skin
Chen H, Weng QY, Fisher DE. · J Invest Dermatol 2014 · 108 citations
Common questions
How is Melanotan I different from Melanotan II?
Melanotan I is linear and relatively selective for the pigmentation receptor. Melanotan II is a smaller cyclic analogue hitting more receptor types, with more systemic effects — the two are routinely confused.
Is there a legitimate medical version?
Yes — afamelanotide (Scenesse), approved for erythropoietic protoporphyria as a supervised implant. That is a different context from cosmetic vials.
What do dermatologists warn about?
Changes in moles and pigmented lesions during unmonitored use. Any new or changing mole during use of a melanocortin agonist warrants medical review.