Source comparison
Best Peptides for Tanning: MT-II vs MT-I Comparison
This table compares the two primary melanocortin analogs used for tanning peptide research. Selection depends on desired onset speed, dosing frequency tolerance, and side effect profile. Melanotan II (MT-II) MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R (non-selective) 0.25–1mg dail
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- This table compares the two primary melanocortin analogs used for tanning peptide research. Selection depends on desired onset speed, dosing frequency tolerance, and side effect profile.
- Melanotan II (MT-II)
- MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R (non-selective)
- 0.25–1mg daily subcutaneous
- 3–7 days at 0.5mg/day
- 33 minutes
- Nausea (40–60%), facial flushing (30–50%), spontaneous erections (males, >0.5mg), appetite suppression
- Faster onset and lower per-dose cost, but requires daily injection and produces more systemic effects due to multi-receptor activation. Best for users prioritising rapid pigmentation who can tolerate frequent dosing.
- Melanotan I (Afamelanotide)
- MC1R-selective
- 16mg subcutaneous implant every 60 days
- 7–10 days post-implant
- 2–3 hours (implant sustains release)
- Minimal. Mild nausea (<10%), headache (<5%)
- FDA-approved for erythropoietic protoporphyria. Slower onset but far fewer systemic side effects due to MC1R selectivity. Requires clinical implant administration. Best for photoprotection in medical contexts or long-term maintenance without daily dosing.
- Natural α-MSH
- MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
- Not applicable (endogenous)
- 48–72 hours (UV-dependent)
- <5 minutes (rapidly degraded)
- None (endogenous)
- Endogenous hormone with extremely short half-life. Not viable as exogenous therapeutic. Included for mechanistic reference only.