Sexual health / melanocortin

Melanotan I

FDA-approved

Afamelanotide, Scenesse · Melanocortin-1 receptor agonist

Melanocortin agonist; approved as Scenesse for a rare photodermatosis.

Half-life

Short (slow-release implant)

Route

Subcutaneous implant (approved) / injection (unapproved)

Evidence

FDA-approved (Scenesse) for EPP; tanning use unapproved.

What it is

A synthetic alpha-MSH analog; as the implant Scenesse it is FDA-approved to increase pain-free light exposure in erythropoietic protoporphyria. The injectable 'tanning' version is the same peptide used unapproved.

How it works

Agonizes MC1R on melanocytes to stimulate protective (eumelanin) pigmentation.

Studied for

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (approved); cosmetic tanning (unapproved).

Regulatory status

FDA-approved as Scenesse for EPP only; research-chemical tanning use not approved.

Safety

Can darken moles/freckles and requires skin monitoring; nausea; tanning use bypasses medical oversight.

Reconstitution calculator →

Educational information only — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to use any compound. Many peptides here are not approved for human use; legal status and evidence quality vary and are noted above. This page contains no dosing information. Consult a qualified clinician before making any health decision.