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Melanotan II

MT-II

Get a deeper tan with less sun exposure

Hormonal & NichePeptideRoute · SubQReviewed Apr 2026
01 — OVERVIEW
SYSTEMSHow Melanotan II affects you

Accelerates melanin production in skin.

A synthetic α-MSH analog. Activates MC1R on melanocytes, telling them to pump out eumelanin — the protective brown-black pigment — regardless of sun exposure.

Onset
1–2 wk
Duration
months
after loading
  • UV exposure still required for the tan to develop and stabilize.
  • Commonly causes darkening of existing moles and freckles (monitor closely).
  • Nausea and flushing are common early side effects.

Melanotan II tells the cells in your skin to produce more melanin — that's the pigment that makes you tan. So you can get a deeper, darker tan with much less time in the sun. It also has side effects that some people actually want: it can reduce appetite and increase libido. PT-141 (the desire peptide) was actually discovered from Melanotan II research.

02 — PHARMACOKINETICS

How long it stays, how it leaves.

Half-life
1 h
Default concentration
10000 mcg
Common vial sizes
10000 mcg

Fixed dosing — not weight-adjusted. The calculator handles reconstitution math for common vial sizes so you inject the right volume every time.

03 — DOSING PROTOCOL

Three tiers, three goals.

beginner2-3 weeks loading cycle
Dose
100250 mcg
Frequency
Once daily (loading phase)
Cycle
2-3 weeks loading

Start very low to see how your body handles it

intermediate3-4 weeks loading + maintenance cycle
Dose
250500 mcg
Frequency
Daily loading, then 2x/week to maintain
Cycle
3-4 weeks loading + maintenance
advanced2-3 weeks loading + ongoing cycle
Dose
5001000 mcg
Frequency
Daily during loading, weekly maintenance
Cycle
2-3 weeks loading + ongoing

Watch your moles carefully — check for changes

04 — SIDE EFFECTS

What people actually report.

  • Nausea (depends on dose)
  • Facial flushing
  • New moles may appear
  • Increased libido
  • Reduced appetite
05 — WARNINGS

Before you start.

  • NOT FDA approved — has real safety concerns
  • Can change existing moles — watch for signs of skin cancer
  • You still need some sun exposure to activate the tan
  • Get skin checks before and during use
06 — STACKING & INTERACTIONS

No documented stacks yet.

07 — CITATIONS & Q&A

Research behind the claims.

Wessells H, Levine N, Hadley ME, Dorr R, Hruby V. · International Journal of Impotence Research · 2000
Melanotan II produced spontaneous erections in 17 of 20 men vs. 0 of 20 on placebo — along with significant pigmentation and nausea.

Ask anything, get cited answers.