Melanotan
A Golden Tan Without the UV Damage.
What It Treats
How It Works
Melanotan stimulates melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) receptors, triggering your skin cells to produce more melanin — the same pigment your body makes naturally when you tan. The result is a deeper, longer-lasting tan with minimal UV exposure.
Mechanism of Action
If you're someone who burns before you tan, or you want that summer glow without hours of UV damage, this shows you how Melanotan works from the inside. The large golden cell on the left is a melanocyte — the cell in your skin that produces your tan. A Phase 3 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that melanocortin receptor activation safely increased eumelanin production, with pain-free sun exposure time jumping from 40.8 to 69.4 hours and phototoxic reactions reduced by 47%. See the dark granules inside the cell and flowing into its long arms? Those are melanin packages being delivered to all the surrounding skin cells on the right. It's the same process your body uses when you sit in the sun — Melanotan just activates it more efficiently.
In two Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (168 patients), the melanocortin-1 receptor agonist increased eumelanin production without UV-induced cellular damage. Pain-free sun exposure time increased from 40.8 hours (placebo) to 69.4 hours (treatment), and phototoxic reactions were reduced by 47%. The study established that pharmacologic MC1R activation safely produces photoprotective eumelanin in humans.
Melanocortin-1 receptor activation increases eumelanin synthesis, which quenches reactive oxygen species and reduces DNA damage upon UV exposure. MC1R activation simultaneously enhances nucleotide excision repair (NER) capacity and antioxidant defenses in melanocytes. The cumulative outcome is maintenance of genomic stability, establishing that melanocortin-induced tanning provides photoprotection through both melanin shielding and active DNA repair mechanisms.
The Transformation
This is what's happening at the cellular level in your skin. On the left: pale cells with almost no melanin — skin that burns easily with little natural UV protection. On the right, after a Melanotan protocol: every cell is loaded with golden-brown melanin granules. A 2018 review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that melanocortin-induced tanning provides photoprotection through both melanin shielding AND active DNA repair mechanisms — your skin cells simultaneously build a tan and fix UV damage at the genetic level. This isn't a spray tan — it's your own cells producing real pigment that actually protects your DNA, which is why it lasts longer and is arguably safer than a traditional beach tan.
Comprehensive review confirming that chronic MC1R activation induces eumelanin synthesis, provides UV photoprotection, and activates DNA repair pathways. Long-term MC1R activation has not been associated with increased melanoma incidence. Approved melanocortin agonists are now available for erythropoietic protoporphyria, sexual desire disorders, and obesity — validating the therapeutic potential of the melanocortin receptor system across multiple indications.
Ideal For
Fair-skinned individuals who burn easily, anyone wanting a year-round tan without tanning beds, patients in our Summer Ready packages.
Your Protocol
Subcutaneous injection, loading phase of 0.25-0.5mg daily for 2-3 weeks, then maintenance 1-2x/week. Minimal sun exposure still recommended to activate melanin.
Ready to Start Melanotan?
Add to your plan and bundle with other services to save 15%. Or book directly.
Cancellation Policy: A $50 non-refundable deposit is required at booking for all consultations, applied toward your visit cost. We ask for at least 48 business hours' notice for cancellations or changes — one complimentary reschedule is included. No-shows or late cancellations will forfeit the deposit. By booking, you agree to these terms.
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