Understand the source comparison
Sunless Tanning Peptides 2026 Update: Comparison Table
Melanotan I (Afamelanotide) Selective MC1R binding 0.5–1.0 mg subcutaneous injection daily for 10–14 days, then maintenance 2–3×/week FDA-approved for EPP only; off-label use unregulated Slower pigmentation onset (2–3 weeks), fewer systemic side effects, requi
No winner is assigned.
This page preserves a source comparison for education. It does not add a rating, recommendation or clinical judgment.
- Melanotan I (Afamelanotide)
- Selective MC1R binding
- 0.5–1.0 mg subcutaneous injection daily for 10–14 days, then maintenance 2–3×/week
- FDA-approved for EPP only; off-label use unregulated
- Slower pigmentation onset (2–3 weeks), fewer systemic side effects, requires higher cumulative dosing
- Best option for researchers prioritising safety over speed. Approved mechanism, well-characterised pharmacokinetics
- Melanotan II
- Non-selective MC1R/MC3R/MC4R binding
- 0.25–1.0 mg subcutaneous injection 2–3×/week after loading phase
- Not FDA-approved; unregulated for cosmetic use
- Faster pigmentation (7–10 days), dose-dependent nausea and flushing, appetite suppression as secondary effect
- Higher efficacy at lower doses but requires strict purity verification. Systemic receptor activation makes impurities more problematic
- [6]-Melanocortin (research analog)
- Hypothesised selective MC1R with reduced MC3R/MC4R activity
- No standardised human dosing. Preclinical models used 0.1–0.5 mg/kg
- Research-only; no clinical trials in humans
- Claimed reduction in nausea and flushing, but no human safety data exists
- Speculative until Phase I data publishes. Mechanistic premise is sound but untested in human metabolism