Side by side

1. 1.Binds MC1 receptors on skin pigment cells.
2. 2.Increases eumelanin production without requiring UV exposure, thickening the skin's own photoprotection.
3. 3.Reduces the skin damage and pain that follow light exposure in porphyria.
4. 4.Unlike Melanotan II it has not been linked to the same pattern of nausea and spontaneous erections in user reports, although both act on melanocortin receptors.
5. 5.Its half-life is short; the implant releases it slowly over weeks.

• Erythropoietic protoporphyria (the approved indication)
• Other photodermatoses such as polymorphic light eruption and solar urticaria
• Vitiligo repigmentation, as an adjunct
• Cosmetic tanning, which has not been studied for approval

• Increased skin pigmentation within days of an implant
• Much longer pain-free sun exposure in porphyria trials
• Reduced reliance on protective clothing in treated patients
• Nausea and headache in a minority of patients

• Nausea
• Headache
• Back pain
• Nasopharyngitis
• Darkening of existing moles, which requires monitoring

Research context only outside the approved indication — Scenesse is given as a clinician-inserted subcutaneous implant of 16 mg, repeated every two months during sunny periods. There is no validated protocol for self-administration, and the injectable 'melanotan' sold online is a different, unapproved product.

Research context only