Who It's For

Melanotan II may be appropriate for patients who desire a natural-looking tan with minimal sun exposure, those seeking melanin stimulation under physician oversight, or patients who have discussed this treatment as part of a broader skin and vitality protocol. All patients require a full mole evaluation and skin assessment before starting.

How It Works

Melanotan II is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). It binds to melanocortin receptors in the skin to stimulate melanin production. Unlike UV tanning, melanin is produced before significant UV exposure — meaning some degree of photoprotection is activated. UV exposure is still required to activate full pigmentation. This is a physician-supervised protocol with required mole monitoring throughout.

What to Expect

Treatment begins with a very low starting dose, increasing gradually over several weeks to minimize side effects — particularly nausea in the early loading phase. Visible pigmentation develops over 2–4 weeks with short controlled UV exposures. Maintenance dosing sustains pigmentation with lower frequency. All existing moles are photographed at baseline and monitored throughout treatment.

Safety — Mole Monitoring Required

Melanotan II can darken existing moles, freckles, and pigmented lesions. This is the most important safety consideration with this treatment. All patients undergo a baseline mole evaluation before starting, and any change in size, shape, color, or border during treatment must be reported immediately. Not appropriate for patients with a personal or family history of melanoma, atypical moles, or any skin cancer history without thorough discussion.

Side Effects

Common early effects include nausea (dose-dependent, managed by starting low and increasing slowly, and by dosing at night), facial flushing, fatigue, and headache. In men, spontaneous erections at higher doses are well-documented — dose reduction resolves this. All Fitzpatrick type V–VI patients are not appropriate candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Melanotan II is not FDA-approved and is prescribed off-label under physician supervision. We discuss the evidence base, risks, and alternatives at consultation before starting.

Melanotan II stimulates melanin production throughout the body — including in existing moles. Any change in a mole during treatment requires prompt evaluation. This is non-negotiable and built into the protocol.

With maintenance dosing, pigmentation can be sustained indefinitely. Stopping treatment results in gradual fading as melanin turns over naturally.

Full instructions for Melanotan II are available on the dedicated page.

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