Melanotan-II (MT-2) Profile
Melanotan-II (MT-2) is a synthetic peptide that mimics the effects of the naturally occurring alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Initially developed to reduce the risk of skin cancer by promoting tanning without excessive sun exposure, MT-2 has also been noted for its secondary benefits, including libido enhancement and appetite suppression.
How It Works
Melanotan-II works by stimulating melanocortin receptors in the skin, particularly melanocytes, which are responsible for melanin production. Increased melanin darkens the skin, providing a natural tan that helps protect against UV radiation damage. MT-2 also interacts with melanocortin receptors in the brain, which influence sexual arousal and appetite.
Key Benefits
- Enhanced Skin Tanning: MT-2 increases melanin production, allowing users to achieve a deeper tan with minimal sun exposure.
- UV Protection: By promoting melanin, MT-2 reduces the risk of UV-related skin damage and sunburn.
- Libido Boost: The peptide has been observed to enhance sexual desire and performance in both men and women.
- Appetite Suppression: MT-2 may help in weight management by reducing hunger, although this effect is secondary.
- Pigmentation Uniformity: It can assist in reducing the appearance of skin conditions like vitiligo by promoting even pigmentation.
Applications
Melanotan-II is used for:
- Achieving a natural tan with reduced UV exposure.
- Enhancing libido and addressing sexual dysfunction.
- Supporting skin pigmentation in individuals with conditions like vitiligo.
Potential Side Effects
While MT-2 is effective, users should be aware of possible side effects, including:
- Nausea or mild stomach discomfort.
- Flushed skin or darkened moles and freckles.
- Temporary fatigue or dizziness in some cases.
Conclusion
Melanotan-II (MT-2) offers unique benefits as a tanning agent with additional libido-enhancing and appetite-suppressing properties. Its ability to promote a safer tan and provide other health benefits has made it popular in both cosmetic and medical applications. However, responsible use and proper dosing are essential for safety and efficacy.
THIS MELANOTAN-II (MT-2) PEPTIDE INFORMATION IS FOR BOTH ADULT MALES AND ADULT FEMALES.
| Peptide Profile: Melanotan-II (MT-2) | Group | Example Use Band* | Route | Frequency Pattern* | Typical Course Style* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Males – Cosmetic / Tanning Context (Non-Approved Use) | Men commonly seek MT-2 for faster tanning and sometimes libido effects. Underground sources and forums often talk about “loading” in the low microgram range per injection, for example tens to a few hundred micrograms, then adjusting based on side effects. There is no standardized, medically approved dose for tanning. | Almost always subcutaneous (subQ) injection into abdominal, flank, or thigh fat using a small insulin syringe. Self-teaching from the internet is common, which increases risk of contamination, bruising, or dosing mistakes. | Many informal patterns describe near-daily “loading” injections until a certain tan is reached, then less frequent “maintenance” injections. None of this is clinically standardized and ranges vary wildly between sources. | Men often combine MT-2 use with sun exposure or tanning beds, which can sharply increase lifetime risk of skin cancer even if burning happens less obviously. Darker skin tone does not mean UV damage is avoided. | Rapidly going to high daily doses to “get dark fast” tends to worsen nausea, flushing, and mole darkening. Because MT-2 is potent, very small miscalculations can cause big jumps in effects and side effects. | |
| Adult Females – Cosmetic / Tanning Context (Non-Approved Use) | Women use MT-2 for the same tanning goal, sometimes hoping for mild sexual side effects as well. Cautious programs try to stay at the very low microgram end, but there is still no official “female dose”. Small differences in mg can produce strong reactions. | Same subQ injection approach as in men: abdomen or thigh, rotated sites. Many users follow online instructions without medical training, which raises sterility and dosing accuracy concerns. | Schedules often copy male patterns (small, frequent “loading” doses then maintenance), with some women using even lower amounts per injection. Sensitivity to nausea and flushing can still be high even at low doses. | Women may notice side effects such as nausea, decreased appetite, facial flushing, headaches, darkening of freckles and moles, and sometimes breast tenderness or cycle changes. | Because women are statistically heavy users of tanning beds and cosmetic UV exposure, adding MT-2 can mask early burning while underlying DNA damage still accumulates, increasing melanoma and other skin-cancer risk. | |
| Both Sexes – Libido / Erectile Effects (Off-Label, Non-Approved) | MT-2 can stimulate certain melanocortin receptors involved in sexual arousal. Some users report strong erections or increased libido at relatively low doses, but this is unpredictable and not an approved indication in most places. | Same subQ route; some people deliberately use tiny “test” doses to gauge sexual effects. There is no validated therapeutic protocol for ED using black-market MT-2. | People may experiment with intermittent low doses around anticipated sexual activity, but this is trial-and-error and not evidence-based medicine. | Repeated use just for libido may expose someone to pigment changes and skin-cancer risks without any long-term sexual benefit. There are much better-studied ED treatments available by prescription. | Painful, prolonged erections (priapism) are a medical emergency. MT-2 users who experience an erection lasting more than 4 hours must seek urgent care, not wait for it to go away on its own. | |
| Both Sexes – Example “Logic Bands” (Not a Recipe) | In the underground world, the “logic” is usually to start with very small microgram doses, watch for nausea and flushing, and increase slowly if tolerated. Some users hold at low doses if moles begin to darken or new freckles appear. | All routes are subQ; injections are usually done daily or several times per week during the early phase. | Frequency is often reduced once the desired tan is reached, sometimes to weekly or occasional “top-ups”, but there is no consensus on safe long-term patterns. | There is no known safe total lifetime exposure to MT-2, especially when combined with ongoing UV exposure. Every additional cycle potentially increases the risk that a pigment cell goes malignant. | If a clinician is involved at all, they will generally recommend baseline and periodic full-body skin checks and discourage any unnecessary UV exposure regardless of MT-2 use. | |
| Both Sexes – Side Effects & Red Flags | Common short-term issues: nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, and injection-site irritation. These are dose-related and usually worst with aggressive loading. | Some people notice rapid darkening of moles, new pigmented spots, or uneven blotchy tanning. This is a major warning sign that melanocytes are being strongly stimulated. | Severe or unusual side effects (violent vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, visual changes, confusion) require immediate medical care. | Any changing mole—in size, shape, color, border, or symmetry—should be treated as potentially serious and evaluated by a dermatologist quickly, especially if MT-2 or tanning beds are involved. | MT-2 does not replace sunscreen, protective clothing, or shade. A tan achieved with MT-2 is not a shield against UV damage; it may simply hide early burn cues. | |
| Both Sexes – Contraindications / High-Risk Groups | Very high-risk: history of melanoma or other skin cancers, dysplastic nevus syndrome, many atypical moles, strong family history of melanoma, or prior transplant / immunosuppression. In these groups, MT-2 is especially dangerous. | People with autoimmune disease, uncontrolled endocrine problems, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or multiple other medications should avoid experimenting with pigment-altering peptides. | Adolescents and young adults, who already have more dynamic moles and often heavy UV exposure, face particularly concerning long-term risk from MT-2 plus tanning. | Those with severe anxiety, body-image issues, or tanning addiction may be better served by counseling and dermatology guidance rather than additional tanning agents. | If a doctor has ever recommended regular skin checks due to moles or past cancers, that is a strong sign that MT-2 is a bad idea. | |
| Both Sexes – Product Quality, Storage & Legal Reality | Most MT-2 vials sold online are labeled “for research only” and are not made under pharmaceutical GMP standards. Purity, potency, identity, and sterility are all uncertain. The vial may be underdosed, overdosed, contaminated, or contain a different peptide entirely. | Lyophilized research MT-2 is usually kept refrigerated (2–8 °C) and protected from light. After mixing with bacteriostatic water, vials are stored in the fridge and discarded if cloudy, discolored, or expired. | Legal status varies by country; importing or selling MT-2 for human tanning often violates drug or health-product regulations. Seizures and fines are possible, in addition to health risks. | Because MT-2 is potent, even a small contamination with another active drug (for example, an undisclosed hormone or opioid) could be dangerous. With research-only suppliers, you rarely know what you’re getting. | If the product did not come from a licensed pharmacy under a legitimate prescription, injecting it is essentially self-experimenting with an unknown substance. No dose-planning can fix that fundamental problem. |
*All dose “bands” and patterns above are descriptive of how Melanotan-II is talked about in underground cosmetic and experimental contexts. They are not standardized medical dosing and not instructions for you. There is no widely accepted, proven-safe protocol for long-term cosmetic MT-2 use.
⚠️ Warning: This chart is for general educational purposes only and this is not profesional advice or a personal dosing guide. Melanotan-II carries potential risks for serious side effects and long-term skin-cancer development, especially when combined with UV exposure. Never start, stop, or change any peptide or hormone protocol without a qualified healthcare provider who knows your full medical history and can monitor you appropriately.
- Hadley, M. E., & Dorr, R. T. (2006). Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: Historical milestones, clinical studies, and commercialization. Peptides, 27(4), 921-930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2005.07.018
- Wessells, H., et al. (2000). Melanocortin receptor agonists, MT-II and PT-141, enhance sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction. The Journal of Urology, 164(2), 349-353. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5347(05)67362-6
- Eves, P., & Haycock, J. (2001). The role of melanocortin peptides in skin pigmentation and UV protection. Pigment Cell Research, 14(6), 460-464. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0749.2001.140609.x
- García-Borrón, J. C., & Abdel-Malek, Z. (2001). The melanocortin-1 receptor and the UV response of human melanocytes: A model system for understanding the role of melanins in cell survival and genomic stability. Pigment Cell Research, 14(6), 413-418. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0749.2001.140607.x
- Afzelius, L. E., & Hölmström, U. (1995). Synthetic alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and its potential for reducing skin cancer risk. The Lancet, 345(8952), 755-756. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(95)90572-6
Melanotan-II (MT-2) Profile