What is the difference between Melanotan 1 and 2?

Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide) is more selective for the pigment receptor and is approved only for a rare light-sensitivity disorder. Melanotan 2 acts on more receptors, is unapproved, and causes more side effects such as nausea and arousal.

It is not approved anywhere. Users report nausea, flushing and mole darkening (#82). Regulators warn against tanning injections.

How many reports are there?

11 Melanotan II confessions and none for Melanotan 1, as of mid-October 2026.

Melanotan 1 vs Melanotan 2 — what is the difference?

Both are synthetic melanocortin peptides discussed for pigmentation. Melanotan II is also discussed for libido effects in anecdotes. Neither is an approved tanning drug in the US or Canada.

Where are Melanotan II reports?

See the Melanotan II peptide hub.

Does this page give dosing, prices or sourcing?

No. We never publish dosing, prices or sourcing, and nothing here is medical advice.

Melanotan 1 vs Melanotan 2: Differences, Risks and Reports

Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide) vs Melanotan 2: approval status, receptor differences, mole and nausea risks, and what users report. Not tanning advice.

Anonymous user report. Not medical advice. Peptides discussed are not FDA-approved for the uses described. Editorial process →

Short answer

Melanotan 1's pharmaceutical form is afamelanotide (Scenesse), an implant approved for erythropoietic protoporphyria, a rare light-sensitivity disorder — not for cosmetic tanning. Melanotan 2 is unapproved everywhere and acts on more melanocortin receptors, which is why users also describe nausea, flushing, appetite loss and arousal. Health Canada and other regulators have warned against tanning injections. Peptide Confessions does not publish dosing, timing, injection or sourcing guidance.

Side by side

	Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide)	Melanotan 2
Approved?	Yes, for EPP only (Scenesse)	No
Receptor action	More selective for MC1R (pigment)	Broad: MC1R plus MC3R/MC4R
Common reported effects	Darkening, nausea	Darkening, nausea, flushing, arousal, appetite loss
Published confessions here	0	11

What users report

There are no Melanotan 1 confessions yet; all 11 are Melanotan II. #82 says every existing mole darkened and new ones appeared, leading to a dermatologist visit. #111 describes a libido bump but wrecked sleep. #109 describes strong arousal. New or changing moles need a dermatologist; tanning does not protect against skin cancer.

More confessions from the archive

Community Q&A

What is the difference between Melanotan 1 and 2?: Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide) is more selective for the pigment receptor and is approved only for a rare light-sensitivity disorder. Melanotan 2 acts on more receptors, is unapproved, and causes more side effects such as nausea and arousal.
Is Melanotan 2 safe?: It is not approved anywhere. Users report nausea, flushing and mole darkening (#82). Regulators warn against tanning injections.
How many reports are there?: 11 Melanotan II confessions and none for Melanotan 1, as of mid-October 2026.
Does this page give dosing advice?: Peptide Confessions does not publish dosing, timing, injection or sourcing guidance.
Melanotan 1 vs Melanotan 2 — what is the difference?: Both are synthetic melanocortin peptides discussed for pigmentation. Melanotan II is also discussed for libido effects in anecdotes. Neither is an approved tanning drug in the US or Canada.
Where are Melanotan II reports?: See the Melanotan II peptide hub.
Does this page give dosing, prices or sourcing?: No. We never publish dosing, prices or sourcing, and nothing here is medical advice.

Anonymous first-hand reports plus sourced context — educational only, not medical advice. Editorial policy & corrections.