Tanning Peptides and Melanotan II Injections
Peptide injections for tanning almost always means one compound: Melanotan II, a synthetic melanocortin agonist studied for pigmentation since the 1990s.
Researchers may order Melatonotan II on Amino Club. You will be able to order after creating a free account.
What is a tanning peptide?
Melanotan II is a lab-made molecule that copies a natural signal in your body—the signal that tells your skin to make more color (melanin).
There’s another similar molecule called afamelanotide. Doctors use an approved version of it, called Scenesse, to help people with a rare condition that makes sunlight painful—not to help people tan.
So, when people talk about peptide injections for tanning, Melanotan II and afamelanotide are the two main ones.
Does melanotan 2 work for tanning?
The science behind the tan is real. In a small 1996 study, Melanotan II visibly darkened the skin of healthy volunteers, and the FDA later approved a close cousin, afamelanotide, that works the same way.
Melanotan II itself was never taken through full development. The table below is a brief summary of the research.
| Finding | Model |
|---|---|
| Measurable skin darkening | Human Phase 1 pilot (1996) |
| Pathway confirmed by afamelanotide approval | Scenesse implant, for EPP only (2019) |
| Melanotan II approval for tanning | Development never completed |
| Injectable tanning products | Regulator warnings; grey market only |
What this evidence does not cover
No injectable tanning product is approved anywhere; Melanotan II exists only as a research compound. The clinical literature documents nausea, flushing, and darkening of moles, and dermatology references flag melanoma concerns around unsupervised use. Research vials are not meant for cosmetic use.
Primary sources
- Evaluation of Melanotan-II in a pilot Phase 1 clinical study — Dorr et al., Life Sciences, 1996
- Melanotan II overview and risks — DermNet NZ
- A glimpse into the underground market of melanotan — Dermatology Online Journal, 2018
What does melanotan 2 cost per mg?
Melanotan II is one of the cheapest peptides on the research market: $25 to $45 for a 10mg vial, a few dollars per mg, because the synthesis is short and demand is enormous.
See our pricing tool to calculate the cost on a wide variety of peptides and vial sizes.
Ready to order Melanotan II?
Research use only. Third-party tested, shipped in 3 to 5 business days.
When will I get my order?
- Depending on the vendor you order from, shipping typically takes:
- Amino Club: 3 to 5 Business Days
- EZ Peptides: 5 to 7 Business Days
- Ascension: 5 to 7 Business Days
