Melanotan 2 – How It Works, the Effectiveness, and Side Effects
Melanotan 2 is a variant of Melanotan 1, (afamelanotide), a drug developed to be used for photoprotection against sun damage and in the treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria. It was originally built to cure sexual dysfunction in males, but it had severe adverse effects linked to its use: stroke, vision loss, and anaphylaxis. Now it impacts skin pigmentation in both sexes positively.
This drug is currently undergoing clinical trials for use in patients with specific sun-sensitive skin conditions and is not available for general sale. Currently, it is not approved for treating any medical conditions as it has reported a wide range of potentially serious side effects.
How Does It Work?
The drug is chemically related to the alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and links with receptors (melanocortin receptors) in human skin cells. It mimics melanocortin peptides activity – natural hormones involved with pigmentation, sexual functioning, energy homeostasis, the immune system, and more. This binding to the α-MSH receptor, which has a key role in determining skin pigmentation, stimulates the production of eumelanin, causing the skin to go darker (tanning).
It’s crucial to remember that tans only minimally protect against UV radiation. You cannot depend on them to shield your skin against grave UV doses or lower the risk of skin cancer. Even if you tan, you can still burn and increase your risk.
Do They Work?
Studies using Melanotan 2 in small clinical trials show that it can increase melanin levels, as they are meant to do. One research even disclosed its protection against sunburn and the DNA damage that comes after.
So, the researches on developing Melanotan are not misguided. However, these are in their early stages and need to be tested on larger trials too. So far, no regulatory body in any country has approved either of these products.
Uses
- Building erections in men with erectile dysfunction after a shot dose under the skin.
- Tanning of the skin, when given as a shot under the skin.
Melanotan 2 Dosage
It is either injected through liquid into the skin or inhaled through the nose, about every other day. It works by stimulating our melanocytes to produce the skin-darkening pigment melanin. Trials have shown that 5 doses are sufficient for the tanning effect to begin to be transparent.
It is also given subcutaneously through injection into the tissue layer around the belly button region. Clients inject pretty much every day until an expected color is achieved and then continue to inject once or twice a week to maintain the color.
Some skin darkening is likely to happen with the injection alone, but the impacts are more dramatic when joined with UV light exposure (sun or tanning bed) 2-3 times a week initially and then once to thrice every week after that.
- For driving male erection (those with erectile dysfunction): the typical dosage of Melanotan 2 is 0.025 mg/kg.
- For tanning skin: the regular dosage of Melanotan 2 is 0.025 mg/kg.
Side Effects of Melanotan 2
Short-term side effects after administration:
- Facial flushing
- Reduced appetite (with subsequent weight loss)
- gastrointestinal symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea
- In males, spontaneous erections 1-5 hours after use
Long-term side effects, Melanotan 2 may heighten the risk of:
- Melanonychia – brown to black discoloration of one or more nails
- Deepening of the color of moles, new moles, and atypical melanocytic naevi
- Melanoma – a potentially serious form of skin cancer
- Rhabdomyolysis – potentially fatal destruction of muscle cells
- Encephalopathy syndrome
Is Melanotan Safe?
Melanotan2 is not FDA-approved and illegal in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and the U.K. due to its profound safety concerns. And being on sale only on the internet, in some tanning salons, and body-building gyms, there’s no way of knowing the actual bottle contents or reaction with other medicines.
It’s also important to note that tanning injections link to the growth and darkening of moles in some patients, which could be dangerous—also confirmed by an Australian report, which states that the tanning agent links with the size change and pigmentation of preexisting moles.
How is Melanotan Available?
You can buy Melanotan 2 online Safely and Securely from safe and trusted sites. Because Melanotan 2 is illegal and difficult to obtain, the cost varies significantly. You’ll need constant injections to achieve and maintain your results, so your total cost will also depend on the number of injections you choose to have administered.
Range: $25 – $100
Author’s bio: Nikolay Stoyanov is the CEO and director of the well-known cannabis SEO company in Denver, Colorado. Nik’s agency offers efficient SEO services to cannabis and hemp companies in the United States.
