Overview
In plain English
Melanotan II is a synthetic copy of the hormone that tells your skin to produce pigment. It was developed at the University of Arizona.
People use it to tan faster and with less sun exposure. It is run as a loading phase until the desired colour is reached, then dropped to two or three times a week to hold it.
- What it isA synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone
- Mainly used forFaster tanning with reduced UV exposure
- Typical protocolLoad 250–500mcg daily for 10–14 days, then 2–3x weekly
How it works
What it actually does
Your skin already has a receptor that, when triggered, switches on pigment production. Melanotan II triggers it — and it is a much more durable molecule than the natural hormone, which is destroyed almost immediately.
The honest caveat: it is not selective. The same receptor family is involved in appetite and in sexual arousal pathways, which is why side effects such as nausea, flushing and appetite change are commonly reported.
It is not approved as a medicine in any country. Existing moles and freckles will darken along with everything else.
The science in detail
Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, developed at the University of Arizona from structure-activity work on the alpha-MSH core sequence. The native hormone is rapidly degraded and has little utility as a research probe. Two modifications address this. First, substitution of the L-phenylalanine at position 7 with its D-enantiomer confers resistance to proteolysis and increases potency. Second, a lactam bridge between an aspartate and a lysine side chain constrains the backbone into a cyclic conformation that approximates the bioactive shape of the native ligand, raising affinity considerably.
The melanocortin system comprises five G-protein-coupled receptors. MC1R is expressed on melanocytes and couples to adenylate cyclase; agonism raises cAMP, activates protein kinase A and increases transcription of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, which in turn drives tyrosinase expression and the eumelanin synthesis pathway. MC3R and MC4R are predominantly central, concentrated in hypothalamic nuclei governing energy balance, and MC4R signalling is also implicated in central control of sexual arousal pathways. MC2R responds to ACTH in the adrenal cortex, and MC5R is associated with exocrine function.
Melanotan II is non-selective across this family. That is the defining pharmacological property of the compound and the reason its research profile is so broad: a single molecule engages pigmentary, appetite-regulating and central arousal circuits simultaneously. It is also the reason findings are difficult to attribute to any one receptor, and the reason more selective analogues were subsequently developed — bremelanotide, an MC4R-weighted derivative, emerged from this line of work.
The human literature is small and early-phase. Dorr et al. (Life Sciences, 1996) reported a pilot phase I evaluation describing pigmentary responses alongside a characteristic set of adverse effects. Wessells et al. (Journal of Urology, 1998) conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study examining erectile response in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction.
Melanotan II is not approved as a medicine in any jurisdiction, and case reports in the dermatological literature describe adverse events following unregulated use. Purist supplies it strictly as a laboratory reference compound.
Evidence
What the research shows
Triggers the skin's own pigment pathway
It activates the receptor that switches on the enzyme responsible for melanin production.
Built to survive in the body
Two structural changes make it resist breakdown and bind far more strongly than the natural hormone.
Not selective — that is the trade-off
It also hits related receptors involved in appetite and arousal, which is where the reported side effects come from.
Not an approved medicine anywhere
Supplied as a research reference compound. Nausea and flushing are commonly reported, especially when loading.
Mixing & dosage
How to mix and dose it
These are the mixing and dosage instructions supplied by Purist Peptides and the manufacturer for this product.
A 3ml vial of bacteriostatic water is included free with every peptide vial you order, so you have what you need to mix this on arrival.
Melanotan II 10mg
Step 1 — mix your vial
- Draw up 2ml of bacteriostatic water into a syringe
- Wipe the rubber top of your vial with an alcohol swab and let it dry
- Insert the needle then slowly and carefully push the water down the inside wall of the vial — do not inject water straight onto the peptide powder
- Gently roll the vial between your palms until the powder dissolves completely
- Do not shake
- Allow to settle in the fridge for 5–10 minutes. The liquid should look clear
Step 2 — draw & inject your dose
Use a 1ml insulin syringe to draw and inject your dose. A 1ml syringe = 100 units.
With 2ml of water added, each 0.1ml (10 units) you draw = 500mcg of Melanotan II.
| Stage | Dose | On the syringe |
|---|---|---|
| Loading | 250mcg daily, 10 to 14 days | 5 units |
| Standard | 500mcg daily, 10 to 14 days | 10 units |
| Maintenance | 250 to 500mcg, 2 to 3 times per week | 5 to 10 units |
Load until desired colour is achieved, then switch to maintenance dosing.
UV exposure during the loading phase will enhance results.
When to inject: Evening preferred to minimise nausea.
Cycle length: Load for 10 to 14 days, then move to maintenance as needed.
How to inject
- Wipe your injection site with an alcohol swab and let it dry
- Pinch a small fold of skin on your abdomen
- Insert the needle at a 45-degree angle into the pinched skin
- Slowly push the plunger down until empty
- Pull the needle out and apply gentle pressure with the swab
- Dispose of the needle safely in a sharps container — never recap or reuse
Storage
Keep refrigerated at 2 to 6 degrees Celsius at all times after mixing. Do not freeze. Protect from light and label the vial with the date you reconstituted it. Discard any solution that is hazy, discoloured or contains particles.
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice. Speak to a qualified healthcare professional before starting any compound.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What has Melanotan II been investigated for?
Published research covers MC1R-mediated melanogenesis, central melanocortin signalling in appetite and energy balance, and MC4R-associated arousal pathways. Human data are limited to early-phase studies including Dorr et al. (Life Sciences, 1996) and Wessells et al. (Journal of Urology, 1998).
What does non-selective mean in this context?
Melanotan II binds and activates several melanocortin receptor subtypes rather than one. A single molecule therefore engages pigmentary, appetite and central arousal circuits at once, which makes attributing any observed effect to a specific receptor difficult in experimental work.
How does it differ from bremelanotide?
Bremelanotide is a later derivative weighted towards MC4R activity, developed to separate central effects from MC1R-mediated pigmentary signalling. Melanotan II remains the non-selective parent compound and is used in research primarily as a broad melanocortin reference agonist.
Is Melanotan II an approved medicine?
No. It is not approved for human use in any jurisdiction, and dermatological case reports describe adverse events following unregulated use. Purist supplies it exclusively as a laboratory reference compound for in vitro and preclinical research.
How is purity verified?
Every batch is assayed by independent HPLC at Bioindustrial Services in Boksburg. We do not rely on the manufacturer's own certificate alone. The assay report for the batch you receive is available on request, and our full testing protocol is set out at Quality Standards.
How long does delivery take?
Orders are dispatched from South Africa, with timelines varying by region and courier. Current dispatch and transit windows are set out at Delivery Process.
What is the returns policy?
Unopened vials in original condition may be returned under the conditions set out at Refund Policy.
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