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Tanning Peptide · SubQ 99%+ Purity Melanotan 2 Acetate
Sexual Health Tanning

Melanotan 2 Acetate

Melanotan 2 — cyclic alpha-MSH analogue that activates melanocortin receptors to produce deep, long-lasting tanning without UV exposure and provides additional sexual function benefits.

★★★★☆ 4.7 · 67 verified reviews · See all
$49.00
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Key Benefits
  • Stimulates melanogenesis — promotes deep pigmentation without UV radiation
  • Long-lasting tan that persists weeks after dosing stops
  • Erectile function improvement via MC-4R pathway — independent of tanning
  • Appetite suppression — a useful secondary effect for body composition goals
  • Lower dose required than MT-1 for equivalent tanning response
Community Insights

Why people research Melanotan 2 Acetate

These are the specific situations and goals that lead researchers to Melanotan 2 Acetate. For research purposes only.

01
Building a tan for extremely fair-skinned people who burn immediately and cannot pigment naturally
02
Managing polymorphous light eruption (sun allergy)
building melanin protection to avoid blistering reactions and corticosteroid dependence
03
Developing an all-over tan for bodybuilding competition without spray tan mess or tanning bed melanoma risk
04
Pre-vacation tanning preparation
arriving already tanned rather than burning in the first days
05
Pursuing the libido and erection quality improvement as a deliberately sought secondary effect
06
Suppressing appetite during a calorie deficit
the MC4R activation reduces hunger alongside producing pigmentation
07
Replacing tanning bed sessions
equivalent or better colour from brief UV exposure rather than hours under lamps
08
Avoiding the cumulative skin cancer risk of repeated tanning bed exposure
09
Improving insulin sensitivity during a lean muscle gain phase
the MC4R effects are attractive to bodybuilders in a bulk
10
Gaining confidence through a tanned aesthetic
particularly in seasons or regions where skin colour has social visibility
Protocol Builder

Dosage Calculator

Reference dosing by experience level. For research use only — always consult a licensed healthcare provider.

Suggested Dose
—
Select experience level and click Show Protocol
Reconstitution Guide
—
Based on 10mg vial + 2mL BAC water
Suggested Cycle Length
Loading: 2–4 weeks; Maintenance: ongoing
For research reference only

⚠ For research reference only. Melanotan 2 Acetate is not approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

In Every Order

What's in the Box

Every Poptides order arrives in premium packaging, ready to use.

💊

Melanotan 2 Acetate Vial

Your selected amount of lyophilized Melanotan 2 Acetate in a sealed, sterile glass vial with silver crimp cap. COA included on request.

💧

BAC Water 3mL

Bacteriostatic water for reconstitution, included with every injectable peptide order. Maintains sterility for multi-dose use.

💉

Syringe Kit

5 × insulin syringes with orange caps, individually sealed, in a dedicated Poptides-branded box.

📋

Research Guide Card + Thank You Note

A QR code card linking to your product's research guide, plus a personal thank you note from the Poptides team.

📦

Discreet Outer Packaging

All orders ship in plain, unmarked outer packaging with no reference to Poptides on the exterior.

Poptides packaging
Purity99%+
FormLyophilized powder
StorageRefrigerate after reconstitution
Shelf Life24 months (lyophilized)
COAAvailable on request
Mechanism of Action

How Melanotan 2 Acetate Works

The mechanism of action, step by step.

01

MC-1R Melanogenesis Activation

Melanotan 2 is a potent agonist at melanocortin receptor 1 (MC-1R) on melanocytes — the skin cells responsible for melanin production. MC-1R activation triggers the cAMP/PKA pathway, upregulating tyrosinase and producing eumelanin (brown-black pigment) at rates far exceeding UV-stimulated production.

02

UV-Independent Pigmentation

Unlike conventional tanning (which requires UV damage to trigger melanin production as a protective response), MT2 directly activates the downstream melanin synthesis pathway without requiring UV exposure. The resulting pigmentation is a genuine melanin response identical in composition to UV-induced tan.

03

MC-4R Sexual Function Enhancement

MT2 activates melanocortin receptor 4 (MC-4R) in the hypothalamus and spinal cord, producing penile erection via a mechanism similar to PT-141 (which is a metabolite of MT2). This is a well-characterised secondary effect that many male users report as significant.

04

MC-4R Appetite Suppression

MC-4R activation in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus reduces appetite-stimulating NPY/AgRP neuronal activity and increases satiety signalling. This anorexigenic effect provides secondary body composition benefit and is the mechanism shared with melanocortin-based obesity research compounds.

Dosing Protocols

Research Protocol

Published preclinical dosing guidelines for reference.

Loading Dose
0.25-0.5 mg
Once daily until desired colour achieved
Maintenance
0.5-1 mg
1-2x weekly to sustain pigmentation
Timing
Evening
Reduces nausea vs morning dosing
Loading Phase
2-4 weeks
Daily low-dose to build pigment
Maintenance
Ongoing weekly
Sustain colour with infrequent doses
Optional
Brief UV exposure
During loading amplifies and sets colour faster
Peer-Reviewed Research

The Science Behind It

Peer-reviewed research supporting the mechanism of Melanotan 2 Acetate.

1

Melanotan II activates melanogenesis independent of UV radiation

Subcutaneous MT2 produced significant increases in skin melanin content and skin darkening in human volunteers at doses below those producing significant side effects, demonstrating effective UV-independent tanning with a dose-response relationship.

Archives of Dermatology, 1998
2

Bremelanotide (PT-141) — derivation from Melanotan II and sexual function effects

PT-141, the metabolite of MT2, was shown to produce erection via central MC-4R activation. The sexual function effects observed with MT2 are largely mediated through this metabolic conversion to PT-141, establishing the shared mechanism of MC-1R tanning and MC-4R sexual function of the parent compound.

Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2007
3

Melanocortin receptor agonism and central appetite regulation

MT2 produced significant reductions in food intake and body weight in obese rodent models via MC-4R antagonism of orexigenic signalling, establishing the mechanistic basis for the appetite-suppressant effects reported by human users.

Endocrinology, 1997
Verified Purchases

Customer Reviews

Verified purchases from Canadian customers.

4.7
★★★★☆
Based on 3 reviews
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4★
33%
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K
Kevin D.
Vancouver, BC · Tanning
★★★★★
✓ Verified Purchase
Most effective tanning compound by far

Type 2 skin that barely tans with UV. On MT2 I developed a deep, even tan within 3 weeks of daily 0.25 mg dosing with moderate sun exposure. Now maintaining on 0.5 mg twice weekly. Remarkable product.

S
Scott M.
Toronto, ON · Tanning / Sexual Health
★★★★★
✓ Verified Purchase
The sexual side effect is a significant bonus

Started MT2 primarily for tanning. The libido and erectile function improvement by week 2 was significant and entirely unexpected from prior research. The tanning is excellent but this additional effect alone makes it a keeper.

R
Rachel F.
Calgary, AB · Tanning
★★★★☆
✓ Verified Purchase
Start at 0.25 mg — the nausea is real at higher doses

First injection at 0.5 mg — spent an hour feeling sick. Dropped to 0.25 mg in the evening and had no issues. The colour came in gradually over 3 weeks. Result is excellent. The dose titration approach is essential.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The melanin produced by MT2 stimulation is genuine eumelanin — the same brown-black pigment produced in response to UV. The skin actually darkens via the same biological pathway. The key difference is that UV-induced tanning results from DNA damage triggering a protective melanin response, whereas MT2 directly activates the melanin synthesis machinery without requiring prior DNA damage.
Start at 0.1-0.25 mg per injection once daily in the evening. Increase gradually over 1-2 weeks to 0.5-1 mg as tolerance to nausea is established. Once the desired colour is achieved (typically 3-4 weeks), reduce to maintenance dosing of 0.5-1 mg 1-2x weekly. Brief sunlight or UV exposure during loading helps set and accelerate pigmentation.
The melanin deposited during MT2 treatment is a structural pigment that fades gradually as skin cells turn over. Most users retain significant colour for 4-8 weeks after stopping, with full fade taking 2-4 months depending on skin type and sun exposure. Periodic maintenance doses (weekly) sustain the colour indefinitely.
Yes. MC-1R and the melanogenesis pathway are identical in men and women. The sexual function effect (via MC-4R/PT-141 metabolite) is relevant to female sexual arousal as well as male erectile function. Nausea side effects appear equivalent between sexes. Women with hormonally sensitive conditions should note that MC receptors modulate some hormonal pathways.
MT2 stimulates melanin production in all melanocytes, including those in existing moles and pigmented lesions. Enlargement or darkening of existing nevi has been reported. Dermatological assessment of existing moles before starting MT2 and periodic monitoring during use is strongly recommended. Any mole that changes rapidly should be evaluated by a dermatologist.
Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide) is a linear peptide that is more selective for MC-1R — it produces strong tanning with less MC-4R activation, meaning fewer sexual function and appetite effects and generally less nausea. Melanotan 2 is a cyclic analogue with broader melanocortin receptor activation, producing tanning plus more pronounced MC-4R effects. MT1 requires a higher dose for equivalent tanning; MT2 is more potent at lower doses.
Melanotan 2 Acetate Melanotan 2 Acetate
$49.00