Source comparison
Melanotan-1 Tanning Protocol: Dosing Schedule Comparison
Loading Phase Once daily for 5–7 days 0.25–0.5mg per injection 2–4 hours post-injection, 50–70% MED Visible darkening begins day 4–6; full base tan by day 10–14 Essential for receptor saturation. Skipping this phase delays pigmentation onset by 2–3 weeks Maint
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- Loading Phase
- Once daily for 5–7 days
- 0.25–0.5mg per injection
- 2–4 hours post-injection, 50–70% MED
- Visible darkening begins day 4–6; full base tan by day 10–14
- Essential for receptor saturation. Skipping this phase delays pigmentation onset by 2–3 weeks
- Maintenance Phase
- 2–3 times per week
- 0.25mg per injection
- Same 2–4 hour window, maintain UV consistency
- Pigmentation plateaus at 3–4 weeks; maintenance sustains depth
- Most researchers underestimate maintenance frequency. Twice weekly is minimum to prevent fade
- Accelerated Protocol
- Twice daily for 3–4 days, then standard maintenance
- 0.25mg per injection (0.5mg total daily)
- After each injection, 50% MED per session (100% daily total)
- Pigmentation visible by day 3; peak tan by day 8–10
- Higher systemic exposure increases nausea and flushing risk. Not recommended for first-time users
- Low-Dose Extended
- Once every 2–3 days during loading, once weekly maintenance
- 0.1–0.25mg per injection
- 2–4 hours post-injection, 40–60% MED
- Slower onset (10–14 days to visible tan), longer time to plateau (4–6 weeks)
- Reduces side effect incidence but requires stricter UV timing adherence. Missed UV windows waste doses