Melanotan 2 Made me Tan, but is this peptide safe?
Over the past month, my skin has made more melanin, and now I look tan for the first time in my life.
Just because I chose to use Melanotan 2, known as MT2, doesn’t mean you should because there are concerns with this peptide.
My goal is to share how it worked, why I chose to use it, how Melanotan 2 compares to Melanotan 1, and whether I would use it again.
WHY DID I USE MELANOTAN 2?
I’ve lived my life in either California or Hawaii and as a very fair person, my sun exposure is off the charts. This year, I decided to use Melanotan 2 as I prepped for another summer of exposure.
Three years ago, I began to notice a weird skin rash that would emerge at the beginning of each summer season. Last year, this rash blew up when I was in Bora Bora, and I realized something was wrong.
I went to my dermatologist and found out at 41 that I had developed an allergy to the sun. It is called Polymorphous light eruption; basically, my skin blisters and becomes extremely painful when exposed to UV light.
I took prednisone two times last summer when I was in Hawaii and Mexico to prevent this rash from forming. Prednisone worked by preventing the outbreak. However, I wanted to see if using Melanotan 2 could build up enough melanin to protect my skin and avoid the rash.
HISTORY AND CONCERNS
There are two injectable peptides that will increase your melanin production.
Melanotan 1 and Melanotan 2.
Scientists discovered that a peptide triggers the production of melanin in the skin. This breakthrough led to the creation of Melanotan 1, a synthetic analog of the naturally occurring a-Melanocyte-Stimulating-Hormone (a-MSH).
Melanotan 1 (MT1), also known as afamelotide, was first synthesized in the 1980s. This drug is currently available for prescription in the US for UV-related skin conditions such as Polymorphous light eruption.
Melanotan 2 (MT2) was synthesized in the 1990s as a stronger melinin stimulator that also reduced cravings and improved sex drive.
This is the reason MT2 is referred to as the “Barbie Drug” because it can make you tan, skinny, and sexually driven.
Unfortunately, some have reported side effects with MT2, such as nausea, spontaneous erections, and a concern that MT2 could cause melanoma.
SKINS ANATOMY
Our skin has many layers, and melanocytes that create pigment are found at the bottom of our epidermis layer. Melanocytes make the pigment known as melanin and disperse it to cells that need UV protection.
The melanin coats the nucleus, protecting DNA that could become damaged by UV rays.
Did you know that not every skin cell needs melanin protection? As our cells move toward the surface, they lose their nucleus and become a keratin-rich barrier.
Another thing I learned is that no matter our skin color, we all have the same number of melanocytes; the difference is that our bodies choose how much melanin to produce.
There are two types of melanin in mammals: the brownish black eumelanin and the reddish yellow pheomelanin.
People who are fair and tend to burn don’t produce as much eumelanin as those who tan. The eumelanin pigment is better at shielding our skin from UV damage.
Melanotan peptide mimics the activity of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone by binding to the melanocortin-1 receptor [MC1R] on melanocytes and activating the synthesis of eumelanin.
Eumelanin provides better photoprotection by absorbing and dispersing visible and UV light.
MT1 V MT2
This is how MT1 and MT2 compare.
MT1 Is FDA approved for treating solar skin allergies.
MT1 will boost your body’s ability to make more eumelanin for natural skin protection.
MT1 has potential anxiety benefits.
MT2 is not FDA-approved in the US.
MT2 acts on multiple sensors, causing more melanin production.
MT2 has other benefits and potential side effects. It can decrease appetite and can help erectile dysfunction.
MT2 has the potential to induce nausea, although I personally never noticed this downside.
The most concerning aspect of MT2 is its possible connection to Melanoma. This is not confirmed, but it is something to be aware of as these peptides are not fully understood.
JOIN OUR APP
If you are interested in the peptides I use, how I reconstitute them, and how I use them, please join my Skin and Wellness App. This is where our community shares and connects on these topics. I also have a related blog linked below that shares the dosing for either MT1 or MT2.
MELANOTAN 1 & 2 DOSES
The appropriate dose of Melanotan will depend on several factors:
-individual’s body weight
-skin type
-desired tan
However, there are some general guidelines that can be followed.
MT1:
The typical starting dose for MT1 is around 1mg.
After the initial dose, the dosage can be increased gradually over several days until the desired level of pigmentation is achieved. The maintenance dose of MT1 is usually around 0.5-1mg per week.
MT2:
The typical starting dose for MT2 is 0.25mg to 0.5mg, injected once per day.
After a few days, the dose can be increased to around 0.5mg to 1mg per day. Some people may require higher doses, but starting low and gradually increasing the dose is recommended to avoid adverse effects. The maintenance dose of MT2 is usually around 0.5mg per week.
I decided to start with Melanotan 2 because it could trigger more melanin, and the appetite suppression of MT2 seemed like a value add.
On April 22, 2024, inside my Skin and Wellness App, I shared putting the MT2 together. If you are in the app, I just posted the two doses I gave myself over this month. I gave myself a total of 15 injections to use up the 10mg vial.
I would inject the MT2, and then I would go outside and lay naked in the sun midday, 20 minutes on my front and then 20 minutes on my back.
During my lower dose phase, I didn’t see much color developing, but I also noticed I wasn’t developing the skin rash, and this was a huge benefit.
On my 11th injection, I doubled my dosage, and this was when I noticed the color really darken.
I decided to increase my UV exposure on one of my double-dose days.
First, I used a RED LED bed to increase circulation, and then I went into a standard tanning bed for 7 minutes to heighten the melanin.
This greatly impacted color development, but it was too much for my skin, and I noticed the rash begin.
I took a day off, and the rash actually subsided, which was not my previous experience, so this was a big improvement.
I’m happy with the color I’ve achieved. It doesn’t look too orange, and as I cycle this next month with MT1, I’m hopeful I’ll maintain this color throughout the summer.
Basically, you have a loading dose with either MT1 or MT2, and once you achieve your desired level of tan, you switch to once-per-week injections to maintain it.
This is what I plan to do with MT1; I will use it as my maintenance dose over the next two months.
DID I HAVE SIDE EFFECTS
I did notice moles darkening but it seemed relative to my overall skin tone darkening. I have not seen any moles grow larger in size.
Many people inject MT2 at night to avoid feeling nauseous, but I would inject it right before going into the sun because I never experienced any nausea.
I would drench my face and hands in sunscreen before going outside to prevent the darkening of sun spots, and as you can see, my hands did not pick up as much color.
MELASMA
Remember, this peptide increases melanin production. So wherever you have color, your skin will darken, and if you’ve spent money lightening your skin, this is something to keep in mind.
MOMMY MAKEOVER SCARS
There’s also a concern about scars darkening from melanotan but my scar stayed thin and white. This is because only scars that have melanin would darken; if you have a white scar, then it lacks melanin and should not darken.
So far, I am happy with my results with Melanotan 2.
I’m very excited to see if the added melanin will keep my sun allergy from exploding this summer, and of course, I’ll keep you up to date in future videos.
