Skin & hair
Melanotan 1, simplified.
Also called Afamelanotide, Scenesse
Approved RxA lab-made copy of the hormone that makes your skin tan. An implant version is approved for a rare disease that makes sunlight painful.
- Size
- 13 amino acids
- How it is taken
- Implant (approved form) or injection
- Status
- FDA-approved for one rare disease
- Available sizes
- Vials: 10 mg
What is it?
It copies alpha-MSH, the signal that tells skin cells to make the brown pigment melanin. Unlike Melanotan 2, it focuses on skin pigment and has fewer effects elsewhere.
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Official prescribing information
Scenesse is FDA-approved. The official label shows how it was dosed in the trials that led to approval, along with warnings and who should not use it.
Doses on the label are for the approved product under a prescriber’s care. Talk with your doctor before starting anything.
What studies show
- In peopleIn people with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), the implant let them spend more pain-free time in sunlight.
- In peopleIt darkens skin in healthy volunteers.
What we don’t know yet
- Long-term safety of tanning use in healthy people.
Side effects and cautions
- Nausea, headache and flushing.
- Can darken moles. Have new or changing moles checked.
- Research vials are not the approved implant.
Is it legal?
The implant is FDA-approved for EPP only. Research-grade vials are not approved.
Dosage & schedule evidence
How to read published schedules
Third-party protocols are not established clinical dosing standards. Safe human dose, frequency, and duration may be unknown. Research findings may not translate to safe or effective personal use.
| Measurement | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 mg | 1,000 mcg (mass) |
| 100 U-100 units | 1 mL (volume, not dose) |
See third-party published protocols ↗ for research context. North Star does not validate these schedules.
Consult your doctor before considering any peptide for personal use. Educational only, not administration guidance.
Common questions
What is Melanotan 1?
A lab-made copy of the hormone that makes your skin tan. An implant version is approved for a rare disease that makes sunlight painful. It copies alpha-MSH, the signal that tells skin cells to make the brown pigment melanin. Unlike Melanotan 2, it focuses on skin pigment and has fewer effects elsewhere.
What does the research say about Melanotan 1?
In people with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), the implant let them spend more pain-free time in sunlight. It darkens skin in healthy volunteers.
Is Melanotan 1 FDA approved?
The implant is FDA-approved for EPP only. Research-grade vials are not approved.
What are the side effects of Melanotan 1?
Nausea, headache and flushing. Can darken moles. Have new or changing moles checked. Research vials are not the approved implant.
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This page explains published research in plain language. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything, and it does not give dosing. Most peptides here are not FDA-approved, and products sold online vary widely in purity. Rules around peptides are changing, so check the current status and talk with a licensed clinician before starting anything. Last reviewed 2026-10-19.