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AestheticSubcutaneous
Melanotan I
Also known as: MT-I · MT1 · Afamelanotide · Scenesse
Synthetic 13-amino-acid alpha-MSH analog with selective MC1R agonism — promotes eumelanin production without the broad MC3/MC4 effects of Melanotan II. FDA-approved as Scenesse implant for erythropoietic protoporphyria.
At a glance
- Half-life
- 1 hours
- Common route
- Subcutaneous
- Typical dose range
- 250–1,000mcg
- Stability (reconstituted)
- 30days refrigerated
Best timing
Daily during loading phase (1–4 weeks) until target pigmentation, then maintenance 1–2x weekly. Cleaner profile than MT-II — less nausea, less erection effect.
Contraindications
- Personal or family history of melanoma
- Atypical or numerous moles — dermatology check required
- Pregnancy
- Active liver disease
Watch symptoms
- Mole darkening — annual dermatology screening recommended
- Hyperpigmentation of palms, axillae, gums
- Mild nausea (less than MT-II)
- New pigmented lesions
- Freckling in previously unfreckled areas
Citations