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Compare	Melanotan I The tanning peptide with an approved medical form — afamelanotide (Scenesse).	Melanotan II A powerful but unapproved tanning peptide — with real safety warnings from regulators.
Category	Longevity & Skin	Longevity & Skin
Evidence	4/5Phase 3 RCTs of the afamelanotide implant in EPP led to approval; also studied in vitiligo with light therapy. Self-injected research vials are not the studied product.	3/5Small, older human pilot studies (tanning; erectile function) plus a long list of case reports of harms. No modern trials and no approval.
FDA status	Approved as Scenesse implant (2019) for EPP only	Not FDA-approved; FDA has acted against sellers
WADA (sport)	Not prohibited	Not prohibited
Also known as	MT-I, Afamelanotide, Scenesse, [Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-MSH, NDP-MSH	MT-II, MT2, 'Barbie drug'
How it works	Activates the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) on pigment cells, increasing dark eumelanin. This darkens skin and adds some protection against light, independent of UV exposure.	A non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist. MC1R activation drives tanning; MC3R/MC4R activation in the brain affects appetite and sexual function. That lack of selectivity is why side effects are common.
Half-life	Short as a free peptide; the Scenesse implant releases it slowly and is dosed every 2 months	Roughly 1 hour or less (short); tan builds over repeated doses
Commonly reported doses	Approved (Scenesse implant): 16 mg, one implant every 2 months Community: 1 mg, once daily	Community (test dose): 100 mcg, once Community (loading): 250 mcg, once daily or every other day Community (maintenance): 250 mcg, 1–2× per week
Route	Subcutaneous implant (by a clinician)	Subcutaneous
Good once mixed	~28 days in the fridge	~28 days in the fridge
Top side effects	Nausea Headache Facial flushing	Nausea and vomiting (very common, especially early) Facial flushing Spontaneous erections; priapism (prolonged painful erection) has been reported
Lowest price per mg	$1.80 (10 mg vial, 40% off)	$1.80 (10 mg vial, 40% off)
Latest lab purity	99.88% (lot MI0002)	99.83% (lot MII0002)
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