Melanotan II:
A Comprehensive Overview

8 Min. February 28, 2025 By Riccardo

What is Melanotan 2?

Melanotan 2 (MT2) is a synthetic peptide that promotes the production of melanin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for the coloring of skin and hair. This means:

Melanotan 2 provides faster and longer-lasting tanning.

Melanotan 2 mimics the natural peptide hormone Alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). This hormone plays a key role in regulating melanin production in melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation. That's why Melanotan 2 works as a tanning agent. [R]

Benefits of Melanotan 2

Faster tanning: Melanotan 2 promotes melanin production, leading to skin tanning. This tan lasts longer than a normal sun tan.
Increased libido: Studies show that Melanotan 2 increases sexual arousal and libido in both men and women.
Appetite suppression: Melanotan 2 can suppress hunger, which may help with weight loss.
UV damage protection: Through increased melanin production, Melanotan 2 protects the skin.

How does Melanotan 2 work?

Once Melanotan 2 is absorbed into the body, it begins to bind to melanocortin receptors. It can do this because MT2 mimics the naturally occurring peptide hormone Alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH).

There are 5 types of melanocortin receptors in the body: MC-1R, MC-2R, MC-3R, MC-4R, and MC-5R. Current research suggests that Melanotan 2 only binds to three of these receptors:

MC-1R: Melanotan 2 binds to this receptor. It is believed that the MC-1R receptor plays a significant role in melanogenesis, the process responsible for releasing melanin.

MC-3R: Currently, it is also believed that MT2 partially binds to the MC-3R receptor. This affects appetite and hunger.

MC-4R: MT2 can also cross the blood-brain barrier and thus affects the MC-4R receptor. This is responsible for increased libido. [R][R]

Side Effects of Melanotan 2

Mild, common side effects:

Nausea
Facial flushing immediately after intake
Yawning & stretching
Spontaneous long-lasting erection
Darkening and formation of new moles and freckles (they return to the way they were once you stop using and the "solution" leaves your system)

Can Melanotan 2 cause skin cancer?

A case study reports the formation of a melanoma triggered by MT2 [R]. So it could be that MT2 can cause skin cancer. However, there are also some studies suggesting that Melanotan 2 might even protect against skin cancer [R]. In any case, it is recommended to visit a dermatologist regularly, especially if moles and freckles darken or form new ones.

Melanotan 1 vs Melanotan 2

Benefits	MT1	MT2
Better Tanning Effect	x	✓
Possible Weight Loss	x	✓
Fewer Side Effects	✓	x
Increased Libido	x	✓

Tanning Effect

Good pigmentation results can be achieved with both Melanotan 1 & 2. However, Melanotan 2 is the significantly more potent version. With MT2, you not only tan faster, but a lower dose is also sufficient to achieve the desired goal.

Possible Weight Loss

Melanotan 2 can help with weight loss, as one of the possible side effects is appetite loss. Melanotan 1 has no effects on appetite.

Side Effects

Both Melanotan 1 & 2 can cause side effects. However, MT1 is generally more harmless in most cases. Additionally, MT2 can cross the blood-brain barrier.

Increased Libido

Unlike Melanotan 1, Melanotan 2 affects the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), which leads to significant improvements in libido and erectile function in both men and women.

Can Melanotan 2 Change Hair Color?

Currently, there are no studies that prove Melanotan 2 changes hair color. However, there are some rare user reports of people who observed their hair darkening after taking MT2.

This phenomenon seems to occur rarely and mostly in users who have lighter or red hair. One possible reason for this could be that people with naturally dark hair (brown or black) hardly notice any change, as it would be less noticeable in their case. So if you have dark hair, you don't need to worry about darkening.

In most cases, the observed hair color change is reversible, and the hair returns to its original color within a few months after discontinuing MT2. However, there are very rare reports of permanent changes. The YouTuber Uranus from Brussels has made a good video about his Melanotan 2-related hair color change:

How to Store Melanotan 2?

General Storage Guidelines

Peptides should be kept cold and away from light.
Store mixed vials upright and minimize shaking.
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles to maintain stability.

Short-Term Storage (Days to Months)

Mixed vials should be stored in the refrigerator at or below 4°C (39°F). They can last up to 6 months [R].

Long-Term Storage (Months to Years)

Unmixed vials (lyophilized) are stable at room temperature for 3 weeks [R].
For extended storage, keep unmixed vials in the freezer. The shelf life is about 12 months

Melanotan 2 Dosage

Finding the right Melanotan 2 dosage depends on individual tolerance, as reactions can vary. To minimize side effects, it’s best to start with a low dose (e.g, 50 mcg) and gradually increase it. Most users find an effective daily dose between 200 and 500 mcg.

In the beginning, taking Melanotan 2 before bedtime is recommended to sleep through any potential side effects. Once the body starts responding (typically indicated by a slight darkening of moles or freckles) it can be taken about 30 minutes before UV exposure for optimal tanning effects.

After achieving the desired tan, maintenance requires only one or two doses per week to sustain the results.

For a detailed dosage plan and further insights, check out the full guide here:

👉 Melanotan II Dosage Guide

Melanotan 2 Before and After

MT2 works relatively quickly for most people, and significant changes in skin color can often be seen after just a few weeks. This was also the case for this user, who achieved these results after about one month.

Find the Reddit post here.

Another user has shared his 60-day experience with Melanotan 2 in detail on Reddit. He has skin type 1 and red hair. Find his Reddit post here.

Before Melanotan 2

After 60 days of Melanotan 2

👉 6 More Before and After Results

History of Melanotan 2

In the 1980s, researchers at the University of Arizona began searching for a substance that would protect the skin from sun damage. The goal was to artificially stimulate melanogenesis (the process responsible for melanin formation in our body) without UV radiation.

They discovered that the hormone α-MSH stimulates melanin production in the skin, leading to increased pigmentation and thus tanning. This research was successful, and Melanotan 1 and Melanotan 2 were synthesized for the first time [R].

During preclinical trials with Melanotan 2, another side effect was accidentally discovered: increased sexual arousal. In a self-experiment, a researcher accidentally injected twice the dose intended for the test animals. As a result, he suffered from nausea and vomiting, as well as a prolonged erection lasting eight hours. This unexpected side effect opened up new applications for Melanotan 2 as a potential means of increasing libido and treating sources of impotence [R].

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the half-life of Melanotan 2?

The half-life of Melanotan 2 is 33 hours.

Can Gingers tan with Melanotan 2?

Yes, Melanotan 2 can work wonders when it comes to getting a tan. This also applies to very fair-skinned people and gingers. People with skin type 1 can achieve a tan with the help of Melanotan 2, even if they have never tanned before in their lives.

How long does it take to see results with Melanotan 2?

Most people will see results within 1 to 2 weeks. For very fair-skinned individuals and redheads, it may take up to 3 weeks to see results.

Remember, Melanotan 2 is very potent. You may see no results for a week, then suddenly become tan very quickly.

What forms of Melanotan 2 are available?

Melanotan 2 can be administered either via injection or as a nasal spray. The injection is significantly more effective, as the MT2 enters the bloodstream directly without first being absorbed through the mucous membranes. As a result, higher doses are needed with the nasal spray to achieve similar effects.

Melanotan II: A Comprehensive Overview