The Uses and Effects of Melanotan I

by | Sep 11, 2021 | Research

Melanotan I, also known as afamelanotide, is a synthetic melanocyte-stimulating hormone (a-MSH) that induces skin pigmentation through melanin production and melanogenesis. Melanin prevents damage to skin cells by absorbing, reflecting, and refracting light. Melanotan I reduces the damage of sunlight to transformed skin cells exposed to ultraviolet rays, thus producing black protective melanin.
It is also used to achieve erections in men with erectile dysfunction (ED), rosacea, fibromyalgia, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. There is also a concern that Melanotan could be dangerous when used as a subcutaneous injection.

Formula: C78H111N21O19
Structure: Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2

Melanothan I – Administration

Method of administration: subcutaneous injection into the fleshy part of the body, usually the stomach or abdominal area. Melanotan I can also be given by nasal spray. There is a concern that Melanotan could be dangerous when used as a subcutaneous injection. Before using Melanotan I, be sure to use a clean, sterile syringe. Before using the syringe, clean the skin area with alcohol.

Melanothan I – Dosage

Dosage Amount: 250mcg (0.25mg) – 2000mcg (2mg)
Dosage Frequency: Once daily
After using Melanotan I, it may take weeks or months to see the effect of the desired skin tone.

Melanothan I – Mechanism of Action

Melanin is similar to a substance called “methanotrophic” in our body. This hormone increases the production of pigments that darken the skin.
After the injection of Melanotan I, it works by replicating alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in your body. Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone binds to melanocortin receptors and induces the production of melanin in skin cells. Therefore, the more melanin produced by skin cells, the darker the skin will appear. Some research studies have shown that Melanotan1 can be safely combined with UVB light or sunlight and appears to have a synergistic effect on the response of tanning to light.

Melanotan 2 is another melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) analog. It is believed to produce melanocytes and other hormones in the pituitary gland. Melanotan 2 is a round version of afamelanotide. Melanotan 2 is an excellent tool to prevent skin problems. Increase the amount of melanin in the body and darken the skin. Compared with Melanotan1, Melanotan2 is more effective and targets melanocortin receptors. It has an amino acid cycle that separates it from other peptides, and research shows that this, in turn, can promote better absorption.
However, some research studies have shown that Melanotan I stays in the body longer than Melanotan II before being broken down by enzymes. Compared to Melanotan I, Melanotan II connects to a wider range of receptors and has a shorter lifespan in your body. It can also cross the blood-brain barrier, causing side effects such as loss of appetite, sexual dysfunction, and fatigue. Melanotan II is not currently used to treat any diseases.

Applications of Melanotan I

– Melanotan I is used to prevent phototoxicity in people with erythropoietic protoporphyria, a type of ferrochelatase deficiency. People with this disease will feel pain when the skin is exposed to sunlight and artificial lighting. Due to abnormally low levels of this enzyme, excess protoporphyrin can accumulate in the bone marrow, plasma, and red blood cells.
– Melanotan I is also used to enhance skin tanning for certain light-related skin indications, a preventive treatment for multiple light-affected skin diseases, and a possible skin cancer preventive agent.

Melanothan I – Benefits

– Melanotan 1 can be safely combined with UVB light or sunlight. It seems to have a synergistic effect on the response of tanning to light.
– Reduced exposure to ultraviolet light, seen in sunlight and light used in indoor tanning beds, reduces the risk of skin cancer or other possible types of skin issues.
– If necessary, Melanotan I will darken and tan skin.

Melanothan I – Side Effects

– The biggest concern about tanning injections is that they are not regulated. Without proper supervision, there is no guarantee that the products used will be properly marked. Also, the long-term effects of Melanotan I are still unknown.
– The most common side effects of Melanotan I are usually temporary and include nausea, redness of the skin, loss of appetite, lethargy, or fatigue.
– When given as an injection, Melanotan can be dangerous. It can cause nausea, stomach cramps, decreased appetite, flushing, tiredness, yawning, darkening of the skin, spontaneous penile erection, and other side effects. In some people, especially those with lighter skin, changes in the shape of moles, new moles, and skin cancer occur in people using Melanotan.
– When sprayed into the nose: There is not enough reliable information to know if Melanotan is safe or what side effects it may have.

 

Disclaimer: The products mentioned are not for human or animal consumption. All the information shared in this article is for educational purposes only.