Melanotan 2

Quickstart highlights

Dosing & reconstitution guide

Standard protocol (2 mL = 5 mg/mL)

A 10 mg vial dissolved in 2 mL bacteriostatic water gives a concentration of 5 mg/mL. Calculate your own dilution →

Reconstitution steps

1. Let the vial reach room temperature and wash your hands.
2. Disinfect both rubber stoppers with an alcohol swab.
3. Draw up 2 mL of bacteriostatic water.
4. Inject the water slowly down the glass wall, not directly onto the powder.
5. Swirl gently until clear — never shake.
6. Label the vial with date and concentration and refrigerate.

Supplies needed

• Melanotan 2 vial (10 mg)
• Bacteriostatic water
• Mixing syringe (1–3 mL) and U-100 insulin syringes
• Alcohol swabs and sharps container

Protocol overview

Dosing protocol in research

Values as described in literature and research protocols; not dosing advice.

Storage instructions

• Lyophilised (powder): cool, dry and dark; long-term at −20 °C.
• After reconstitution: refrigerator at 2–8 °C, use within ~4 weeks.
• Avoid repeated freezing and thawing.

Important notes

How this works

Melanotan 2 (MT2) is a synthetic, cyclic variant of the natural α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It was developed in the 1990s at the University of Arizona as a method to protect skin from UV radiation by stimulating pigmentation. During early studies, it was noted that the compound influenced sexual arousal in addition to skin color changes.

The peptide acts as a potent agonist for melanocortin receptors, with strong affinity for MC1, MC3, MC4, and MC5 receptors. Binding to MC1R stimulates melanocytes to produce eumelanine, resulting in darker skin pigmentation even without sunlight exposure. Activation of the MC4 receptor in the brain explains its effects on appetite and libido. Due to its cyclic structure, Melanotan 2 is more stable and potent than the natural hormone. It has a short half-life, but the biological effects on pigmentation persist for days due to melanin accumulation in skin cells.

Melanotan 2 has been investigated in human Phase I studies, where dosages of 0.025 mg/kg proved effective for pigmentation. Despite these early trials, the compound was never approved as a medicine by agencies such as the EMA or FDA. It is on the WADA prohibited list under section S2 as a peptide hormone. Research also focused on treating erectile dysfunction, which led to the development of the more specific variant Bremelanotide (PT-141). Questions remain regarding long-term safety and the impact on the cellular structure of moles.

Potential benefits & side effects

Effects described in research

• Tanning with less UV
• Increased libido (reported)

Common side effects

• Nausea
• Flushing
• Darkening of moles/freckles
• Spontaneous erections

Common side effects reported in studies include nausea, flushing, and suppressed appetite. Darkening of existing moles and the appearance of new pigment spots have also been documented. Due to the lack of large-scale long-term studies, long-term risks remain unknown; incidental reports in literature mention severe reactions like rhabdomyolysis at extreme dosages.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Active or prior cancer
• Under 18 years of age
• Melanoma or atypical moles

Lifestyle factors

• Start with short, controlled UV exposure; burning is still possible.
• Use sunscreen and check moles regularly.
• Administration before bed reduces reported nausea.

Injection technique

• Choose a site with subcutaneous fat: abdomen (5 cm from the navel), thigh or back of upper arm.
• Disinfect, pinch a skin fold and insert at a 45–90° angle.
• Inject slowly, wait 5 seconds and withdraw.
• Rotate sites and use each needle once.

Recommended source

Quality varies widely between suppliers. Look for an independent HPLC/MS lab report per batch, purity ≥ 98% and clear storage and shipping conditions.

As a reference we use the Melanotan 2 from PeptideWinkel, which publishes lab reports per batch.

Frequently asked questions