Melanotan-I

Melanotan-I is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone meaning it tells melanocytes to make more eumelanin, the darker “UV-shielding” type of pigment.

In medicine, Melanotan-I is the same molecule as afamelanotide (often sold as SCENESSE). Afamelanotide is a controlled release implant prescribed to help people with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) tolerate light better by increasing protective pigmentation and related photoprotective pathways.

Here is the big nuance: the prescription implant is not the same thing as unregulated Melanotan injections, sprays sold online.

Those products are often illegally supplied, may be mislabeled/contaminated, and dosing is basically guesswork. This means the risk profile changes dramatically.

Public health bodies and dermatology literature have raised concerns about adverse effects and skin-lesion changes with unregulated use (especially when combined with UV tanning). Some side effects include the darkening of existing moles, nausea, flushing, headache, dizziness, etc.

• For EPP, afamelanotide has strong clinical trial support showing increased tolerance to light and improved patient outcomes (why is why it is an approved prescription medication)
• For cosmetic "tanning", the issue is related to its safety and oversight. Regulators emphasize that unapproved melanotan products carry serious health risks.

The bottom line:

Melanotan-I/afamelanotide is a drug and not a cosmetic ingredient. Please speak with a medical professional for the best advice.