Melanotan II
Also known as MT-II, tanning peptide
It genuinely tans you. It is also unapproved, unregulated, and linked to changes in moles that matter a great deal on a site about skin.
$30–90 per vial on grey markets.
How it works
A synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone. It activates melanocortin receptors — MC1R drives melanogenesis, producing tanning with less UV exposure, while MC3R/MC4R activity explains the appetite suppression, nausea and spontaneous erections users report.
How it's used
Not approved for human use anywhere and widely sold online as an injectable. Afamelanotide, a related and properly regulated implant, is approved only for erythropoietic protoporphyria under specialist care. If you want the look without the risk, sunless tanner is the entire answer and carries none of this.
Trade-offs
In favour
- Produces genuine tanning with less UV exposure
- Some users report reduced burning
- Effect is visible and fast
Against
- Unapproved and unregulated everywhere
- Requires injection
- Nausea and flushing are common early
- Effect fades without redosing
Risks and side effects
- Darkening, enlargement and change of existing moles — case reports link it to new and changed melanocytic lesions, which is the serious concern
- Melanoma has been reported in users; causation is unproven but the signal is not something to wave away
- Nausea, facial flushing, appetite loss
- Unregulated product purity and non-sterile injection
- Does not replace sun protection — you can still accumulate UV damage
How good is the evidence?
No credible controlled evidence supporting safe cosmetic use. Multiple case reports of pigmented lesion change, and dermatology bodies advise against it.
Sources
Sources point to guideline bodies and literature searches rather than single papers, so they stay accurate as the evidence moves.