Overview

Melanotan is a lab-made chemical. It is similar to a hormone found in the body. It was originally made as a drug to help treat certain skin conditions. It is also sold over the internet as a supplement.

Melanotan is commonly used for skin tanning. It is also used to produce erections in men with erectile dysfunction (ED), for rosacea, for fibromyalgia, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. There is also concern that melanotan might not be safe when used as a shot under the skin.

Be careful not to confuse melanotan with melatonin.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Lab-made chemical

Primary Functions:

Skin tanning

Also Known As:

Barbie Drug, Melanotan I, Melanotan II

How Does It Work?

Melanotan is similar to a substance in our bodies, called "melanocyte-stimulating hormone." This hormone increases the production of skin-darkening pigments. Melanotan might also work in the brain to stimulate erections of the penis.

Uses

• Erectile dysfunction (ED).Most early research suggests that giving melanotan as a shot under the skin helps men with erectile dysfunction achieve and keep an erection. However, side effects like nausea mean that this is not the best product to use. Also, melanotan is now only available as an unregulated product over the internet.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY INJECTION UNDER THE SKIN:

• For erectile dysfunction (ED): the typical dosage of melanotan is 0.025 mg/kg.

Melanotan Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What are the side effects of Melanotan?

Side effects of melanotan II

• Facial flushing.
• Reduced appetite, nausea and vomiting.
• In males, spontaneous erections 1-5 hours after administration (priapism), associated with yawning and stretching complex.

Is Melanotan safe to use?

The pamphlet, titled "Melanotan-2: Safe enhanced tanning" says although the drug is not approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia's drug watchdog) and that studies into its effects are under way, it "is safe" and and its use "well documented". "The drug will also discolour existing freckles and moles.

How does Melanotan work?

Melanotan is a synthetic hormone and is injected under the skin to encourage it to darken. The drug increases the levels of the pigment melanin in the skin. This pigment is part of the body's natural response to the sun, and increasing levels of melanin results in skin darkening or tanning.

How often should you take Melanotan?

If side-effects (see above) are not proving troublesome, the site advises users to attempt to increase daily dosage. After 2-3 weeks of daily use, or when the desired level of pigmentation has been achieved, people who use Melanotan II should start a maintenance phase of two injections per week.

Does Melanotan work without sun?

In comparison, "Melanotan II as a tanning injection gives quicker, longer lasting results", says Skin Expert, Lorena Öberg "However, Melanotan II will not work without some form of UV exposure, so you need to be getting a minimum of 20 minutes of natural sunlight a day to help activate the melanotan injections."

How long does Melanotan stay in your system?

The injections are meant to stay in your system for six months. The tan lasts for about two months.

Where do you inject Melanotan?

Melanotan is administered sub-cutaneously by injecting into the fatty layer of tissue around the belly button area. Clients inject daily until a desired colour is achieved and then continue to inject once or twice a week to maintain the colour.

What does Melanotan 2 do to your body?

These are natural hormones involved with pigmentation, energy homeostasis, sexual functioning, the immune system, inflammation, and the cardiovascular system. Much like melanotan I (afamelanotide), melanotan II stimulates the production of eumelanin, causing the skin to go darker (tanning).

How much Melanotan 2 should I inject?

What dose of Melanotan II is recommended? Suggested doses vary depending on the source – some sellers will encourage higher use! One site suggests starting with a dose of 0.25mg.

How much Melanotan 2 should I take?

The following doses have been studied in scientific research: BY INJECTION UNDER THE SKIN: For causing an erection in men with ED: the typical dosage of melanotan-II is 0.025 mg/kg. For tanning skin: the typical dosage of melanotan-II is 0.025 mg/kg.

Does Melanotan cause weight loss?

“Our data show that Melanotan II produces a long-lasting weight loss without the need of maintaining caloric restriction. The current study showed that the melanocortin system can do just that: induce long-term body mass loss without restricting calories.

Does Melanotan protect your skin?

This protein encourages cells in the skin to produce melanin, so by mimicking it, Melanotan products also lead to more melanin in the skin. You can't rely on them to protect your skin against heavy doses of UV or to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Even if you have a tan, you can still burn and still increase your risk.

How do you take Melanotan?

How is Melanotan administered? Melanotan is administered sub-cutaneously by injecting into the fatty layer of tissue around the belly button area. Clients inject daily until a desired colour is achieved and then continue to inject once or twice a week to maintain the colour.

What happens if you inject too much Melanotan 2?

“Side-effects of Melanotan 2 include nausea and vomiting. Users face high blood pressure, heart issues and blood disorders. “The jab makes moles darker, which could lead to skin cancer.

How long do Melanotan side effects last?

Side effects of melanotan II

Short term side effects after administration include: Facial flushing. Reduced appetite, nausea and vomiting. In males, spontaneous erections 1-5 hours after administration (priapism), associated with yawning and stretching complex.

Is Melanotan 2 Legal in the US?

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers about using Melanotan II , which is sold as a skin cancer preventative and tanning agent. Officials said the introduction and delivery of Melanotan II into interstate commerce violates federal law.

Does Melanotan 2 burn fat?

Melanotan II was initially developed to prevent skin cancer and is known to activate two molecular signaling pathways in the brain. The researchers found that when the drug stimulated the brain's central melanocortin system, the rat models lost body mass independent of a reduction in caloric intake.

Does Melanotan make freckles darker?

He says when people inject melanotan it can change the appearance of their moles and freckles. "Whether that is a permanent change in the structure we don't know, but it will make them look different - and of course one of the signs of melanoma is a mole or a freckle that has changed its appearance," Dr Miller said.

Do you have to tan with Melanotan 2?

In comparison, "Melanotan II as a tanning injection gives quicker, longer lasting results", says Skin Expert, Lorena Öberg "However, Melanotan II will not work without some form of UV exposure, so you need to be getting a minimum of 20 minutes of natural sunlight a day to help activate the melanotan injections."

How do you inject Melanotan 2?

Melanotan is administered sub-cutaneously by injecting into the fatty layer of tissue around the belly button area. Clients inject daily until a desired colour is achieved and then continue to inject once or twice a week to maintain the colour.

How long will 10 mg of melatonin make you sleep?

Takeaway. In general, you should take melatonin 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It typically takes 30 minutes to start working. Melatonin can stay in your body for about 5 hours, though it depends on factors like your age and overall health status.

How much melatonin can you take?

Research has found that taking melatonin in low doses is the most effective way to promote sleep if you are experiencing restlessness or insomnia. Recommended doses of melatonin are from 0.5 mg up to 3 mg, which are adequate to promote sleep or treat jet lag.

Does Melanotan cause pigmentation?

Melanotan increases the levels of the pigment melanin in the skin. This pigment is part of the body's natural response to the sun, and increasing levels of melanin results in skin darkening or tanning.

Is Melanotan II safe?

Safety measures

Melanotan II has not been fully tested, and due to its potential side effects it is not recommended that anybody use this drug. No evidence exists for the use of melatonin II in pregnancy or breast feeding but it is recommended that it should be avoided.

What is Melanotan used for?

Melanotan is commonly used for skin tanning. It is also used to produce erections in men with erectile dysfunction (ED), for rosacea, for fibromyalgia, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Does melatonin make you tan?

Melatonin activates your skin's melanocytes, which are the cells that produce pigment. I recently saw a patient who, despite using skin-brightening products, saw visible skin darkening in a very short time when taking melatonin for a few weeks.

Clinical Studies