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Reviewed by MyPeptideMatch Editorial TeamLast reviewed February 2026Updated February 2026

Melanotan II Dosing Protocol: 10 mg Vial — Tanning & Dosing Schedule

Melanotan II complete dosing protocol using the 10 mg vial — loading phase, maintenance schedule, and side effect management guide.

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Quickstart highlights

Melanotan II (MT-II) is a cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that activates melanocortin receptors MC1R (melanogenesis), MC3R/MC4R (sexual arousal, appetite suppression), and MC5R (sebaceous gland activity).

  • Concentration: 5 mg/mL (10 mg vial + 2 mL bacteriostatic water).
  • At 5 mg/mL: 0.25 mg = 5 units, 0.5 mg = 10 units, 1 mg = 20 units.
  • UV exposure (10–20 minutes after injection) significantly enhances melanogenesis — without UV, tanning effect is reduced.
  • One 10 mg vial provides 40 loading doses at 0.25 mg or 20 doses at 0.5 mg.
  • Inject before bed — nausea (most common side effect) typically subsides overnight.

Dosing table

For educational reference only. Your prescribing provider may adjust doses based on your clinical profile and response.

WeekDose (µg)UnitsFrequencyNotes
1-22505Once daily (before bed)0.25 mg — 5 units; low-dose start to minimize nausea; one 10 mg vial provides 40 loading doses
3-650010Once daily (before bed)0.5 mg — 10 units; standard loading dose; most users achieve desired tan at 4–6 weeks
7+50010Every 2–3 days0.5–1 mg maintenance — inject less frequently once desired pigmentation is achieved

Gradual approach

WeekDose (µg)UnitsNotes
1-42505Ultra-slow ramp: 0.25 mg daily x 4 weeks before advancing; minimizes nausea and flushing

Reconstitution steps

  1. Draw 2 mL bacteriostatic water; inject slowly down the vial wall.
  2. Swirl gently until powder dissolves; do not shake.
  3. Final concentration: 5 mg/mL. At 5 mg/mL: 0.5 mg = 10 units, 1 mg = 20 units.
  4. Label with date; refrigerate at 2–8 °C. Use within 28 days.

Supplies needed

6-week plan

  • 1 vial
  • 30 syringes
  • 2 mL bac water
  • 30 alcohol swabs

12-week plan

  • 2 vials
  • 60 syringes
  • 4 mL bac water
  • 60 alcohol swabs
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Protocol overview & cycle notes

Achieve dose-dependent skin melanogenesis (tanning) and enhanced sexual arousal through subcutaneous Melanotan II injection, using a low-dose loading schedule before transitioning to maintenance dosing.

Cycle length: 6 weeks on.

Off-cycle: 6–8 weeks off loading; switch to as-needed maintenance injections.

Storage & handling

Lyophilized: store below 25 °C. Reconstituted at 5 mg/mL: refrigerate 2–8 °C; use within 28 days. Melanotan II degrades faster in solution than other peptides at room temperature — always refrigerate and avoid prolonged room-temperature exposure.

Injection & tracking tips

  • Inject subcutaneously in the abdomen 30–60 minutes before bed — nausea typically subsides by morning.
  • UV light exposure (natural sun or tanning bed, 10–20 minutes within 1 hour of injection) significantly enhances melanogenesis response; without UV stimulus, pigmentation effects are reduced.
  • If nausea is severe after 0.5 mg, drop back to 0.25 mg and increase exposure time before advancing again.

Tracking

Logging helps you and your provider spot patterns and adjust dose or timing.

  • Photograph skin tone monthly under consistent lighting to track melanogenesis progression.
  • Track nausea (0–10) and flushing frequency for the first 4 weeks.
  • Monitor for new or changing moles — Melanotan II stimulates melanocyte activity and may affect pre-existing nevi; annual dermatology check is recommended.
Log your cycle in the calculator →

How this works & references

Melanotan II (MT-II) is a cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that activates melanocortin receptors MC1R (melanogenesis), MC3R/MC4R (sexual arousal, appetite suppression), and MC5R (sebaceous gland activity). MC1R activation in epidermal melanocytes increases tyrosinase expression, upregulating melanin production in response to UV radiation — producing dose-dependent tanning. Simultaneously, central MC4R activation produces sexual arousal effects similar to PT-141. Phase 1 human studies (Dorr RT et al., 1996) confirmed dose-dependent skin darkening and spontaneous erections at 0.5–1 mg IV doses.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How quickly does Melanotan II produce a tan?
With daily 0.5 mg injections and 15–20 minutes of UV exposure (sun or tanning bed) taken within 1 hour post-injection, most fair-skinned individuals develop visible tan within 3–4 weeks of daily loading. Darker skin types respond faster. Without UV exposure, tanning is significantly less pronounced.
Is Melanotan II the same as PT-141?
No — they are related but distinct. Melanotan II is a non-selective pan-melanocortin agonist (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R); PT-141 (bremelanotide) is derived from MT-II but modified to reduce MC1R activity while retaining MC4R-mediated sexual arousal effects. MT-II produces more skin darkening; PT-141 produces more targeted sexual function effects with less pigmentation change.
What are the risks of Melanotan II?
Key risks: (1) Mole/nevus activation — MC1R stimulation may cause existing moles to darken or grow; annual dermatology review is recommended. (2) Nausea and flushing (common at 0.5+ mg). (3) Spontaneous erections in men (MC4R-mediated, typically resolves within 1–4 hours). (4) No FDA approval — quality and purity are unverified without third-party COA.
Does Melanotan II suppress appetite?
Yes — MC4R activation in the hypothalamus suppresses appetite, similar to the mechanism of setmelanotide (Imcivree, FDA-approved for genetic obesity). This effect is typically mild at the 0.5 mg tanning dose but can contribute to weight management as an ancillary benefit.
How does maintenance dosing differ from loading?
After loading (achieving desired skin tone over 4–6 weeks), maintenance dosing at 0.5–1 mg every 2–3 days (with continued UV exposure) sustains pigmentation. Without UV exposure, the maintenance period extends as melanin persists in skin cells. Some individuals maintain results with weekly injections after sufficient loading.

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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any peptide therapy. Dosing and protocols may vary by formulation and prescriber.

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