Melanotan II

Melanocortin Agonist (Tanning Peptide)

Melanotan II is the most controversial peptide on this list. It activates melanocortin receptors to produce a real tan without UV (or a deeper one with minimal sun). The tanning effect can start within 5 doses, and it clearly works. But it also darkens existing moles, can create new ones, and there are documented melanoma cases in users (causation vs correlation is debated but the risk is real enough that clinical development was abandoned). The community uses it anyway. If you're going to, get a full-body mole check from a dermatologist first, photograph everything, and check in every 3-6 months. Non-negotiable.

Protocol

Dose: 0.25-0.5mg daily (loading), 0.5-1mg 2x/week (maintenance) | Frequency: Daily during loading (7-14 days), then 2x/week for maintenance | Cycle: Loading 7-14 days, then maintenance as desired. Take breaks. | Route: SubQ

Reconstitution: 2mL bacteriostatic water per 10mg vial. Use our free reconstitution calculator for exact syringe units.

Effects

• Skin tanning (90%) — Significant darkening of skin tone, even with minimal UV exposure — the whole point
• Mole darkening (60%) — Existing moles become more prominent and darker — monitor all moles closely
• New mole formation (35%) — New moles can appear, sometimes within days of first injection — get a baseline skin check first
• Increased libido (45%) — Cross-reactivity with melanocortin receptors involved in sexual arousal — an unintended but commonly reported effect
• Appetite suppression (30%) — Reduced hunger is a known melanocortin effect, though mild at typical doses

Side Effects

• Nausea (45%) — Very common, especially during loading. Pinning before bed is the move — you sleep through the worst of it.
• Facial flushing (35%) — Your face gets warm and flushed within 30 minutes. Harmless but noticeable.
• Mole changes (60%) — Existing moles get darker. New ones can appear. This is the one you actually need to monitor — get a derm baseline first.
• Spontaneous erections (25%) — For guys: random erections 1-5 hours after pinning. It's the melanocortin pathway cross-reacting. Not subtle.
• Fatigue / yawning (20%) — You'll yawn a lot and feel sleepy for a few hours after. Another reason to pin at night.

Evidence

Early research — Melanotan II was developed in the 1990s at the University of Arizona but never completed clinical development. Small trials (20-100 participants) showed it works for tanning, but safety concerns around mole changes and potential melanoma risk ended serious pharmaceutical interest. It remains widely used underground despite having the weakest evidence profile of any popular peptide.

Approval status: Abandoned clinical

References

1. Dorr RT et al. Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study Life Sci, 1996. PMID: 8637402
2. Hadley ME et al. Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization Peptides, 2006. PMID: 16412534
3. Nelson ME et al. Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis Clin Toxicol (Phila), 2012. PMID: 23121206
4. Hjuler KF et al. Melanoma associated with the use of melanotan-II Dermatology, 2014. PMID: 24355990
5. Callaghan DJ et al. A glimpse into the underground market of melanotan Dermatol Online J, 2018. PMID: 30142729
6. Gilhooley E et al. Melanotan II User Experience: A Qualitative Study of Online Discussion Forums Dermatology, 2021. PMID: 34464955

Storage

• Lyophilized: Refrigerate at 2-8C. Protect from light.
• Reconstituted: Refrigerate. Use within 4-6 weeks. Protect from light.
• Water: Bacteriostatic water, 2mL per 10mg vial.
• Needle: 29-31 gauge, 0.5 inch for subcutaneous injection

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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any protocol.

vialprep research · Sources: PubMed, FDA, peer-reviewed trials · How we verify