Five years ago an intriguing substance called Melanotan came to my attention via a colleague at the University of Arizona School of Medicine. They were studying a Melanin Stimulating Hormone for the treatment of photosensitive skin disorders and prevention of skin cancer. In pilot studies on Lupus Erythematosus patients with central facial redness (the classic butterfly mask), Melanotan significantly reduced facial redness via camouflauge tan color and unknown anti-inflammatory actions of melanin. Most of these same patients did not burn to mild doses of UVA and UVB exposure.* The results were excellent with few transient side effects.
[b]Melanotan]
For 3 years studies on Melanotan I were primarily conducted at]'"[ul]\n".self]', '', '[*]The University of Arizona School of Medicine Cancer Center [*]The University of Arizona School of Medicine Department of Dermatology [*]The Mayo Clinic at Scottsdale Arizona
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One of the most interesting findings demonstrated that after 3 months of treatment with Melanotan I, epidermal thickness increased significantly in all subjects.* Histological studies on superficial biopsies and in vivo confocal microscopy demonstrated an increase in thickness from 107% (double the thickness) to 304%.* This is noteworthy because the average thickness of the epidermis in facial skin is approximately 0.8 mm (15 sheets of paper in a pile).* In rosacea sufferers the epidermis can be half that of normal subjects; thus doubling or tripling the thicknesss of the epidermis should be extremely beneficial to rosacea sufferers.
[b]Melanotan II]
Melanotan progressed into Melanotan II and was then sold to an Australian based company (Epitan) and a US based drug delivery manufacturer (Clinuvel).* It has passed multiple phase iII studies and is tentatively set for release in mid-2008.* This will be utilized by many rosacea sufferers as it thickens the epidermis considerably (up to 300%), and has an anti-inflammatory effect throughout the epidermis and top portion of the dermis.* Furthermore, it protects blood vessels and pain nerves via a much stronger and thicker epidermis -- this will lessen rosacea symptoms and triggers (Reference]
[b]Melanotan II]
The cosmetic advantage will also play a role as it can hide a moderate flush underneath a medium to dark tan (Reference]
[b]New Insight into Melanotan II]
Rosacea is known to involve an inflammatory response via neutrophilic action. Rosacea also causes fibrosis in the dermis. Both of these negative actions are reversed while on Melanotan II (J Invest Dermatol. 2006)
The melanocortin (MC) system is probably the best characterized neuropeptide network of the skin. Most cutaneous cell types express MC receptors (MC-Rs) and synthesize MCs, such as alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), that act in autocrine and paracrine fashion. The anti-inflammatory activity of alpha-MSH includes immunomodulatory effects on several resident skin cells and antifibrogenic effects mediated via MC-1R expressed by dermal fibroblasts.
[b]Melanin Production and Rosacea]
One of the facial skin's main defensive mechanism is activated upon exposure to sunlight -- melanocytes produce melanin.* The melanin fortifies every layer of the epidermis and stimulates at least two known anti-inflammatory substances.* Production of melanin thickens the epidermis, absorbs light rays from the sun and absorbs heat from the external environment.* Thus rosacea blood vessels and inflammed nerves will not "see" multiple insults as the epidermis will repel or absorb rosacea triggers.* It is germane to note that rosacea sufferers are often caught in a catch 22 because they are told to avoid the sun and wear sunscreen (wise advice) .............. but, this results in a thinner, weaker epidermis.* Melanotan II holds the potential to help fortify our main barrier, the stratum corneum, to many insults such as sun, heat, wind, cold and skin care products.
I have included two photos of a person using Melanotan II below]Before Melanotan II Treatment -- Light Skin, Type II
Hey Chris, any idea where I can get some more info on the above studies? I'm most interested in the epidural thickening with M1:
"One of the most interesting findings demonstrated that after 3 months of treatment with Melanotan I, epidermal thickness increased significantly in all subjects."
This would be huge to me because I suffer from rosacea and have thin facial skin with resulting redness.
In your experience (or anyone elses), do you find your facial skin to be less senstive with M1 treatment?
Absolutely.* Any user gets results, particularly those with rosacea.*
A Melanotan suntan is an entirely new defense and cosmetic lifestyle product...this is no spray/sunless tan.* Although Melanotan use can be a great help, generally is a temporary (potentially long lasting) fix....unknown what long term therapy/data will bring going forward (looking forward to it!)
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