Melanotan 1 and Melanotan 2 are peptides utilized for skin tanning. Many people worldwide prefer a tanned appearance but do not want to use sun tan creams and spend hours under the sun. Melanotan and Melanotan II offer an alternative by providing skin tanning effects without sun exposure when injected into fair-skinned individuals. Although these peptides are not FDA-approved and may have long-term health risks, many people use them without understanding the differences between the two.
Melanotan was developed at the University of Arizona in 1981 as a synthetic hormone that mimics the action of MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone). Melanotan II is another analog of melanocyte-stimulating hormone, also developed at the same university. Both MT and MT II are said to produce the effect of naturally produced melanocyte within the pituitary gland in our bodies.
While Melanotan is a straight, full-length peptide, Melanotan II is a shortened, circular version of the afamelanotide peptide. Both Melanotan and Melanotan II have tanning effects, but users have reported more side effects with MT II, such as libido enhancement and spontaneous erections.
Key Takeaways
- Melanotan and Melanotan II are peptides that provide skin tanning effects without sun exposure when injected into fair-skinned individuals.
- Both MT and MT II mimic the action of melanocyte-stimulating hormone and are said to produce the effect of naturally produced melanocyte within the pituitary gland in our bodies.
- While Melanotan is a straight, full-length peptide, Melanotan II is a shortened, circular version of the afamelanotide peptide, and users have reported more side effects with MT II, such as libido enhancement and spontaneous erections.
