Tanning - Libido - Melanocortin Receptor Agonist

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The melanocortin tanning peptide: stimulates eumelanin production in melanocytes to produce a natural-looking tan, while also enhancing libido and modulating appetite via central MC receptor pathways

Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) that binds non-selectively to melanocortin receptors MC1R through MC5R. Its primary effects include stimulation of melanogenesis (eumelanin production) in skin melanocytes, providing photoprotective tanning with reduced UV exposure requirements; central CNS effects via MC3R and MC4R producing libido enhancement and appetite suppression; and spontaneous penile erection in male subjects in clinical trials. Melanotan II was developed at the University of Arizona in the 1980s as a potential sunless tanning agent and photoprotective compound.

Stimulates eumelanin production for natural, photoprotective tanning with reduced UV exposure
Central MC3R/MC4R activation enhances libido and sexual arousal - precursor to the FDA-approved PT-141
May modulate appetite via hypothalamic melanocortin pathways, supporting weight management protocols

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The Original Tanning Peptide: How MT-II Activates Melanogenesis

Melanotan II was developed at the University of Arizona in the early 1980s as part of a research program investigating photoprotection. The hypothesis was that a compound capable of stimulating eumelanin production - the dark, UV-protective form of skin pigment - could provide a cosmetic tan while simultaneously reducing the DNA damage caused by UV radiation. What researchers found was a compound with a broader pharmacological profile than anticipated: in addition to potent melanogenesis stimulation, MT-II acted on multiple melanocortin receptor subtypes in the brain, producing libido enhancement, appetite suppression, and spontaneous erections in male subjects.

PT-141 (Bremelanotide), the FDA-approved sexual health peptide, was derived directly from Melanotan II after researchers removed the tanning effect to create a CNS-focused compound. This lineage underscores MT-II's potency across the melanocortin receptor system.

Key Benefits

01Stimulates eumelanin production in melanocytes - provides a deep, natural-looking tan with significantly reduced UV exposure
02Central MC3R/MC4R activation provides libido enhancement and sexual arousal in both men and women
03Hypothalamic appetite suppression via MC4R may support weight management protocols
04Photoprotective eumelanin provides natural UV protection - reducing sunburn and UV-induced DNA damage
05Tan persists weeks after last dose - longer lasting effect than any topical self-tanning product

Product Specifications

Peptide Name	Melanotan II (MT-II)
Sequence	Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2
Molecular Weight	1024.2 g/mol
Form	Lyophilized powder for reconstitution
Purity	> 99% (HPLC verified)
Storage	Refrigerate at 2-8C; protect from light
Price	From $35.00 per vial

Results Timeline

Days 1-7 (Loading Phase)

Initial melanocyte stimulation begins. Mild flushing, nausea, and facial redness are common at the start as the body adapts. Low dosing and gradual titration minimizes side effects during this phase.

Weeks 2-4

Visible darkening of skin tone. Greater tanning response with UV exposure versus baseline. Libido enhancement and appetite changes typically become apparent during this phase.

Maintenance Phase

Once desired color is achieved, maintenance dosing 1-2x per week sustains the tan. The tan persists several weeks after cessation, gradually fading as skin turns over naturally.

Step 1: Subcutaneous Administration

Melanotan II is administered via subcutaneous injection. It is rapidly absorbed and distributes to both peripheral melanocyte populations in the skin and to the central nervous system, where it crosses the blood-brain barrier and engages hypothalamic melanocortin receptors.

Step 2: MC1R Activation - Melanogenesis

At MC1R on melanocytes (pigment-producing skin cells), MT-II stimulates the production of eumelanin - the dark, UV-protective form of melanin - via cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling and upregulation of tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin synthesis. The result is enhanced pigmentation that darkens progressively with continued dosing and UV exposure.

Step 3: MC3R/MC4R Activation - CNS Effects

Simultaneously, MT-II crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to MC3R and MC4R in the hypothalamus and limbic system. MC4R activation initiates the same arousal-promoting dopaminergic pathways engaged by PT-141, producing libido enhancement and appetite suppression. The non-selective receptor binding profile of MT-II is what distinguishes it from the more targeted PT-141.

Step 4: Photoprotective Effect

The eumelanin deposited in skin cells acts as a natural sunscreen - absorbing and scattering UV radiation before it reaches nuclear DNA. This photoprotective effect is the original rationale for MT-II's development and provides meaningful reduction in UV-induced DNA damage and sunburn risk during the tanning period.

Who Benefits Most from Melanotan II?

Melanotan II is suited for adults seeking enhanced skin pigmentation as part of a wellness or cosmetic protocol, and for those seeking the additional libido-enhancing and appetite-modulating effects of broad melanocortin receptor activation. Its photoprotective properties make it of particular interest to fair-skinned individuals prone to UV damage.

Ideal Candidates

+Fair-skinned individuals seeking a natural tan with photoprotective benefits and reduced UV exposure requirements
+Adults seeking simultaneous tanning and libido enhancement in one compound
+Those interested in appetite modulation as part of a broader body composition and wellness protocol

Use With Caution

-Individuals with a personal or family history of melanoma or dysplastic nevi - melanocortin stimulation may affect pigmented lesions
-Those with cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension - monitor blood pressure during use
-Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals
-Those with a history of polycythemia vera - erythrocytosis risk associated with melanocortin stimulation

Consult a licensed healthcare provider before beginning any peptide protocol. See Important Safety Information below.

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a selective MC1R agonist - it produces melanogenesis (tanning) with minimal CNS penetration and therefore minimal libido or appetite effects. Melanotan II is a non-selective agonist that binds MC1R through MC5R, producing both peripheral tanning and central CNS effects including libido enhancement, appetite suppression, and spontaneous erections. MT-I has been approved in Europe (Scenesse) for erythropoietic protoporphyria; MT-II remains a research compound.

MT-II stimulates eumelanin production in melanocytes regardless of UV exposure. However, some UV exposure (even indirect sun exposure) significantly amplifies and accelerates the tanning response. Most users combine MT-II with brief sun or tanning bed exposure during the loading phase to achieve results faster. The compound's photoprotective effect also means the skin tolerates this UV exposure better than it would without MT-II.

The tan from Melanotan II typically persists for several weeks to months after cessation, depending on natural skin turnover rate and sun exposure during the maintenance period. Most users maintain color for 4-8 weeks after their last dose. The tan fades gradually and naturally as pigmented skin cells complete their normal lifecycle, rather than peeling or fading unevenly like a topical product.

The most common side effects are nausea (particularly during the loading phase), flushing, facial redness, fatigue, and spontaneous erections in men. Nausea is dose-dependent and typically resolves within 1-2 hours of administration; taking MT-II before sleep minimizes this effect for most users. Gradual dose titration starting at the lowest effective dose significantly reduces side effect severity. Darkening of existing moles and freckles is also commonly reported and should be monitored by a dermatologist.