Melanotan 1
- •what is Melanotan 1
- •Melanotan 1 vs Melanotan 2
- •Afamelanotide
- •Melanotan 1 tanning research
- •Scenesse research
- Melanotan 1(Afamelanotide, MT-1)· Skin, Hair & Beauty
- Melanotan 1 tells skin cells to make more melanin — the pigment that gives skin its color and a sun-protective effect. It is more selective than Melanotan 2.
What is it?
Melanotan 1, also called afamelanotide, is a synthetic analog of alpha-MSH that selectively activates the MC1R receptor responsible for melanin production. It is approved in some regions as Scenesse for erythropoietic protoporphyria.
In plain English
Melanotan 1 tells skin cells to make more melanin — the pigment that gives skin its color and a sun-protective effect. It is more selective than Melanotan 2.
How it works
Activates MC1R on melanocytes, stimulating eumelanin production. Unlike Melanotan 2, it has minimal MC3R/MC4R binding, so less sexual and appetite-related signaling.
What researchers study
- •Erythropoietic protoporphyria management
- •UV photoprotection research
- •Comparison with Melanotan 2
- •Pigmentation disorder studies
What the internet talks about
Consistently framed as the 'cleaner' tanning peptide with fewer off-target effects than Melanotan 2.
Bro-science translation
“The clean MC1R tan peptide.”
Commonly compared to
Common stack discussions
Used alone in research more often than stacked. Compared with Melanotan 2 and PT-141 for selectivity discussions.
Related peptides
Related categories
Frequently asked questions
Quick summary
Melanotan 1 is a selective MC1R agonist studied for melanin induction and UV photoprotection, approved in some regions as Scenesse.