A scientific explanation as to why Melanotan doesn't work without sun?

[genagena]

Hi, I have been researching the mechanism by which Melanotan works, and I'm wondering why it would not work without any UV light? Idk about Melanotan II, but I'm pretty sure Melanotan I was described as a sunless tanner and tanning in non-exposed sights was reported in clinical trials. I've been reading that the a-MSH hormone (basically what Melanotan acts as) is triggered by UV light, causing melanogenesis and the increase of eumelanin with the help of tyrosine. So by increasing the a-MSH hormone to pharmacological levels, and assuming there is adequate tyrosine in the diet, why wouldn't MT1 or MT2 cause darkening by itself? As I understand it, UV light does not directly tan skin, but it triggers a darkening through initiating a biochemical pathway that involves a-MSH.

Can someone explain please? I'm just thinking of any way that I can use MT2 to help get a tan without chronic UV exposure >_<

[burner09]

I've tried tanning with Melanotan 2 with almost no exposure to the sun. It didn't work out too well - on small doses I didn't notice any tanning effect but on larger doses, I developed uneven tan. I'm not sure about the scientific part of your question.

[genagena]

I've tried tanning with Melanotan 2 with almost no exposure to the sun. It didn't work out too well - on small doses I didn't notice any tanning effect but on larger doses, I developed uneven tan. I'm not sure about the scientific part of your question.

Thanks for sharing your experience! By larger doses, do you mean over 0.5mg or over 1mg? Also, by uneven tan, can you be a little more specific as in which parts actually received a good tan - face, stomach, genitals ... ?

[burner09]

Thanks for sharing your experience! By larger doses, do you mean over 0.5mg or over 1mg? Also, by uneven tan, can you be a little more specific as in which parts actually received a good tan - face, stomach, genitals ... ?

I was using somewhere in between 0.5 and 1mg. Started with 0.5 and went up to 1mg. The tan I received wasn't good, I got dark spots all over my body. I lowered the dose of Melanotan 2 and started tanning in the sun to fix that. I don't recommend you to do that.

[gstpierre11]

Check out those threads in this forum:
https://researchpeptides.com/5631-mt2-sun.html
https://researchpeptides.com/5089-mt2-tanning-beds-frequent-sun-exposure.html\
https://researchpeptides.com/3691-melanotan-sun.html

I recommend you to dig more before trying to use Melanotan 2 without sun exposure because there are people who have done it before

[bluecardigan]

I don't think that you will get good effects from using MT2 without sun exposure.

There is an alternative to Melanotan 2 but it will probably take years before it is researched probably and is available to the general public.

https://researchpeptides.com/6345-melanotan-alternative-uv-free-tanning-finally-ykl-06-061-a.html

[trez23]

This is how I understand it. Not sure if it is correct though :-)

"sunless tanning" refer to the process that MT1/MT2 mimics a-MSH. a-MSH is only produced by the body as a response to UV exposure. We skip the step by injecting MT1/MT2, hence sunless tanning.
As you say, a-MSH, MT1 and MT2 stimulate production of melanin. however, melanin does not become brown before it is exposed to UV. So you still need UV light to achieve the brown color.

[genagena]

This is how I understand it. Not sure if it is correct though :-)

"sunless tanning" refer to the process that MT1/MT2 mimics a-MSH. a-MSH is only produced by the body as a response to UV exposure. We skip the step by injecting MT1/MT2, hence sunless tanning.
As you say, a-MSH, MT1 and MT2 stimulate production of melanin. however, melanin does not become brown before it is exposed to UV. So you still need UV light to achieve the brown color.

I admit, what you do say makes sense I guess a-MSH alone doesn't lead to the maturation of melanosomes. I know cAMP is involved in the maturation, but forskolin (cAMP stimulator) apparently cannot penetrate human skin That stinks.

I guess I'll be impatiently waiting for those SIK inhibitors to come to market

[genagena]

I don't think that you will get good effects from using MT2 without sun exposure.

There is an alternative to Melanotan 2 but it will probably take years before it is researched probably and is available to the general public.

https://researchpeptides.com/6345-melanotan-alternative-uv-free-tanning-finally-ykl-06-061-a.html

Thanks, I've been researching those ever since you mentioned it! I even tried to buy the compound directly from a lab, but I was quoted approximately 7,000 USD for a gram. Yeah, ok

[genagena]

Check out those threads in this forum:
https://researchpeptides.com/5631-mt2-sun.html
https://researchpeptides.com/5089-mt2-tanning-beds-frequent-sun-exposure.html\
https://researchpeptides.com/3691-melanotan-sun.html

I recommend you to dig more before trying to use Melanotan 2 without sun exposure because there are people who have done it before

I tried searching for stories like that beforehand, couldn't find any. Thank you!

[genagena]

I was using somewhere in between 0.5 and 1mg. Started with 0.5 and went up to 1mg. The tan I received wasn't good, I got dark spots all over my body. I lowered the dose of Melanotan 2 and started tanning in the sun to fix that. I don't recommend you to do that.

Oh, I see. Thanks for letting me know! Wouldn't want uneven pigmentation.