EPP light tolerance
2Scenesse implant is approved for adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria.
What does it do?
Afamelanotide-related melanocortin agonist. Approved SCENESSE implant treatment is distinct from unapproved injectable or nasal tanning products.
Approved & studied uses
Community uses Reported, unvalidated
Pigmentation and tanning
17Community cosmetic goal; not an approved research-product indication.
Photoprotection/skin aging
17Melanin biology does not make tanning products substitutes for UV protection.
Melanocortin research
17Receptor and pigmentation models.
Reasons people report using it; these do not establish benefit.17
Evidence limits
View research →Whether research-vial products match the identity, release profile, sterility, or clinical effects of the approved implant.1
3 distinct primary sources or abstracts checked. Evidence may concern a parent compound, individual blend ingredient, animal, or cell model; it does not necessarily establish a benefit for this exact product.
Evidence definitions →Key safety information
All risks →Hypersensitivity
Scenesse labeling includes serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.2
FDA approval applies to Scenesse 16 mg implants for increasing pain-free light exposure in adults with EPP, not research vials or cosmetic tanning.
Molecular information
Amino-acid sequence
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
Residue count only · sequence not verified2
An exact sequence has not been verified for this formulation.
Length13 amino acids
Molecular weight · Da1646.85 Da
Formula, sequence notation & identity
Molecular formulaC78H111N21O192
Afamelanotide; NDP-α-MSH; acetylated, amidated α-MSH analog.
Formula and mass refer to the peptide without acetate. Scenesse contains afamelanotide acetate in a polymer implant.
Pharmacokinetics
How long does it stay in the body?
Human data
Reported half-lifeAbout 15 hours — implant apparent half-life2
Route / formulationSubcutaneous controlled-release implant
50%of reference level
Illustrative model using reported human data.
About 3% remaining after 3.13 d
Five half-lives in this simplified model. This is not a prediction of when effects stop.
Evidence and model details
This label value includes release from Scenesse; it is not a verified elimination half-life for research-vial injections. Median Tmax was 36 hours. A simple decline curve cannot reproduce implant exposure.
Population: 12 healthy adults
100 × 2−time / half-life. Time zero is a reference level, not the moment of administration. Absorption, repeated dosing, metabolites and clinical effects are not modeled. Five half-lives leaves 3.125%, not zero. This curve cannot determine a dosing interval.
What to expect
Study outcomes
More pain-free sunlight exposure
In the US randomized EPP trial, median exposure was 69.4 hours with afamelanotide versus 40.8 hours with placebo over 6 months. This does not establish cosmetic-vial outcomes.1
Community poll 10 topics · Pep-Pedia snapshot
Voluntary, unverified reports. These percentages do not measure effectiveness or safety.
Experience
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Duration of use
The source hides 3 additional categories. Their labels and percentages are unavailable.
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Age range
The source hides 2 additional categories. Their labels and percentages are unavailable.
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Gender
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Primary goal
The source hides 16 additional categories. Their labels and percentages are unavailable.
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Effectiveness
The source hides 4 additional categories. Their labels and percentages are unavailable.
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Side effects
The source hides 14 additional categories. Their labels and percentages are unavailable.
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Dosage frequency
The source hides 5 additional categories. Their labels and percentages are unavailable.
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Would recommend
The source hides 7 additional categories. Their labels and percentages are unavailable.
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
How discovered
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Source & limitations
The source displays “898 responses” for this profile. This is not a confirmed participant count or a denominator for individual questions.
- Voluntary self-reports from Pep-Pedia visitors; identity, treatment, outcomes and timing are unverified. These data are not efficacy or safety estimates.
- The source displays a profile-wide response label, not a confirmed unique participant count. It stays unchanged across questions. Question-specific denominators and absolute option counts are not exposed.
- Only the top five categories are displayed for some questions. Extra categories are retained as an undisplayed-category count; their labels and percentages are unavailable.
- Displayed percentages are rounded. They may not total 100%, especially where categories are hidden.
- This is a dated snapshot, not a live survey or current recommendation.
Protocols
Doses & schedules
Compare purpose, amount, route, frequency, and duration.
Source corrections
Source's numerical UV-reduction and flexible home-use claims do not establish safety or equivalence to the regulated implant.
Route
Scroll to compare all columns →
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Goal / evidence | Duration | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SubQSubcutaneous implant | 16 mg implant | Every 2 months | Increase pain-free light exposure in EPPProduct label | Not specified | 2 |
Population Adults with EPP Context Inserted by a trained healthcare professional; maintain sun/light protection. | |||||
| SubQ | 0.25 mg | 2x daily | Initial Tanning (Light Skin)Reference report | 2-4 weeks loading, then maintenance or break | 17 |
Population Population not independently verified; see the reference and linked research. Context Reported in Pep-Pedia’s educational protocol table. Study attribution and applicability to this exact product are not independently established. Source's numerical UV-reduction and flexible home-use claims do not establish safety or equivalence to the regulated implant. Source tabs Injectable | |||||
| SubQ | 0.5 mg | 1x daily | Maintenance TanningReference report | 2-4 weeks loading, then maintenance or break | 17 |
Population Population not independently verified; see the reference and linked research. Context Reported in Pep-Pedia’s educational protocol table. Study attribution and applicability to this exact product are not independently established. Source's numerical UV-reduction and flexible home-use claims do not establish safety or equivalence to the regulated implant. Source tabs Injectable | |||||
| SubQ | 0.5 mg | 2x daily | Enhanced PigmentationReference report | 2-4 weeks loading, then maintenance or break | 17 |
Population Population not independently verified; see the reference and linked research. Context Reported in Pep-Pedia’s educational protocol table. Study attribution and applicability to this exact product are not independently established. Source's numerical UV-reduction and flexible home-use claims do not establish safety or equivalence to the regulated implant. Source tabs Injectable | |||||
| SubQ | 0.25 mg | 1x daily | Photoprotection OnlyReference report | 2-4 weeks loading, then maintenance or break | 17 |
Population Population not independently verified; see the reference and linked research. Context Reported in Pep-Pedia’s educational protocol table. Study attribution and applicability to this exact product are not independently established. Source's numerical UV-reduction and flexible home-use claims do not establish safety or equivalence to the regulated implant. Source tabs Injectable | |||||
| IntranasalNasal spray | 0.5 mg | 2-3x daily | Nasal AdministrationReference report | 3-6 weeks due to lower bioavailability | 17 |
Population Population not independently verified; see the reference and linked research. Context Reported in Pep-Pedia’s educational protocol table. Study attribution and applicability to this exact product are not independently established. Source's numerical UV-reduction and flexible home-use claims do not establish safety or equivalence to the regulated implant. Source tabs Nasal | |||||
No protocols match these filters.
Study and label doses retain their study context. Reference reports are unvalidated practices, not personal treatment instructions. Ranges remain ranges; escalation stages are labeled.
Reported use periods and breaks. These do not establish a safe cycle or prove that breaks prevent tolerance.
Injectable
- Use period
- 2-4 weeks loading, then maintenance or break
- Break
- 4-8 weeks between cycles recommended
Reported timing
Morning and evening injections, 6-8 hours apart
Nasal
- Use period
- 3-6 weeks due to lower bioavailability
- Break
- 4-8 weeks between cycles
Reported timing
Spread doses throughout day for sustained levels
Side effects & safety
Hypersensitivity
Scenesse labeling includes serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
2Pigmented lesions
Existing freckles and moles may darken; the label recommends skin examination twice yearly.
2Light protection still needed
EPP patients should continue sun and light protection during treatment.
2Pigment and adverse effects
Mole/freckle changes, nausea, flushing and appetite effects; UV damage remains possible.
Stop symptoms
Changing lesions, severe GI effects, infection, rash or allergy; nasal irritation, bleeding/congestion.
Not a complete safety screen. Discuss health decisions with a qualified clinician.
Combinations & interactions
7 entriesCheck cautions and reported pairings. A compatibility claim does not establish that a combination is safe.
Melanotan II
Caution reportedSource says 'compatible' but advises against overlap; safety unestablished.17
Reference report · Pep-Pedia label: CompatibleTretinoin/retinoids
Caution reportedIrritation/UV sensitivity concern.17
Reference report · Pep-Pedia label: Monitor CombinationPhotosensitizing medicines
Caution reportedAdditional UV sensitivity.17
Reference report · Evidence context: Use cautionUV exposure
Unverified pairingTanning response is not a safe UV-dose recommendation.17
Reference report · Pep-Pedia label: SynergisticBeta-carotene
Unverified pairingUntested protection pairing.17
Reference report · Pep-Pedia label: CompatibleSelf-tanners
Unverified pairingDifferent mechanism; combination evidence limited.17
Reference report · Evidence context: CompatibleOther medicines
Not establishedThe Scenesse label states that drug-interaction studies were not conducted. This is an evidence gap, not confirmation of compatibility.2
Research contextNo matching interactions. Try another name or filter.
Reconstitution calculator
Enter your peptide amount and container size. Get a volume and a simple measurement scale.
Suggested final volume mL
Estimated water to add≈ mL
For dry powder, assuming negligible volume displacement. Use bacteriostatic water only if the formulation specifies it.
1 pen unit (one dial step)=
Amounts below are total blend mass. Ingredient amounts are listed separately.
| Pen units | Amount | Volume |
|---|
Ingredients per unit
Other simple scales
Convert a specific amount
Enter an amount to calculate its volume and device setting.
Calculation & assumptions
The suggestion favors a simple 1, 2, or 5 × power-of-ten amount per unit, then the largest final volume that fits. It does not choose a dose or a biologically suitable concentration.
The water estimate applies only to dry powder and assumes negligible powder displacement. Final solution volume, specified diluent, solubility, stability, sterility, cartridge compatibility, and working fill limits must be established separately. No allowance is made for priming or transfer losses.
V2 measurement specification ↗Bacteriostatic water: formulation instructions ↗Reconstitution
Scenesse is a solid, sterile, bioresorbable implant, not a powder to mix.2
Research-vial distinction
Approved implant preparation does not validate a diluent or storage period for a Melanotan-I research vial.2
Reference preparation details
Reported handling information, not a validated formulation or instruction to prepare an injectable product.
Injectable
Pep-Pedia describes preparation for this route; product-specific stability has not been independently verified.
- Solvents mentioned
- Bacteriostatic water
- Reported parameters
- Source temperature: 2-8°C. · Reported post-preparation interval: 30 days. · The source specifies protection from light.
The source describes gentle mixing and avoiding vigorous shaking.
Nasal
The nasal-specific steps name sterile saline.
- Solvents mentioned
- Sterile saline
- Reported parameters
- Nasal steps report refrigeration and 1–2 weeks. · The generic page banner instead states BAC water and 30 days.
The source is internally inconsistent; these are not interchangeable formulation or shelf-life instructions.
Appearance & documentation
Appearance and a purity certificate cannot establish sterility, identity, or suitability for injection.
Reported appearanceThird-party laboratory testingReported appearanceProper peptide storageReported appearanceClear reconstitutionReported concernPremixed solutionsReported appearanceMinimal side effects
17Vial sizes
10mg5
Packaging examples, not a market survey. Approved and research products are not interchangeable.
Storage after mixing
Reconstituted research vials
Pep-Pedia reports these handling limits after mixing. They are not validated stability or sterility limits for your vial.
Full storage notes from Pep-Pedia
17Powder: room temperature or refrigerated; Reconstituted: 2-8°C for up to 4 weeks
Reconstituted spray: refrigerated, use within 2 weeks
Storage depends on the formulation, diluent, container, and handling. Follow the specific product label or pharmacist’s instructions.
Pen & syringe measurements Scales, capacity & references
Pen & syringe measurements
Device units measure volume. Concentration determines the amount in mg.
1 notch = 0.01 mL
Documented 1-unit V2 models
- One dial increment
- 1 unit
- Cartridge capacity
- 3 mL
- Maximum setting
- 60 units · 0.60 mL
Use the numbered dose window. Whole-unit settings only; confirm the specification for your exact model.
1 unit = 0.01 mL
100 units = 1 mL
- 10 units
- 0.10 mL
- 30-unit capacity
- 0.30 mL
- 50 / 100-unit capacity
- 0.50 / 1 mL
Read the printed unit scale. A small line may represent 0.5, 1, or 2 units depending on the syringe.
Use the mL scale
mL syringes and calibrated pipettes
- 0.01 mL
- 10 µL
- 0.10 mL
- 100 µL
- Amount
- mL × mg/mL
Drops, sprays and other pen clicks need their own verified volume per increment. They have no universal conversion.
3 mL is cartridge capacity. It does not mean you must prepare or load 3 mL. The original vial and the pen cartridge are different containers. This reference compares measurement scales; it does not establish product or route compatibility.
Device references
AVERON V2 specifications ↗SilverLeaf V2 unit reference ↗FDA: syringe unit conversions ↗Specifications checked October 12, 2026.Research findings
Human trialsSource context
Source's numerical UV-reduction and flexible home-use claims do not establish safety or equivalence to the regulated implant.
Compound identity & other names
Afamelanotide increases pigmentation signaling. Its strongest human evidence concerns a controlled-release implant in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP); a research powder sold as Melanotan I is a different product.
Other names: Melanotan 1 · MT-1 · MT-I · afamelanotide · Scenesse
FDA approval applies to Scenesse 16 mg implants for increasing pain-free light exposure in adults with EPP, not research vials or cosmetic tanning.
How it may work
MC1-receptor signaling increases eumelanin; source bioavailability and nasal-conversion claims lack adequate route-specific validation.17
Longer pain-free light exposure in EPP
In the published U.S. randomized study (94 participants), median pain-free sunlight exposure over six months was 69.4 hours with afamelanotide versus 40.8 with placebo (P=0.04). A separate 74-person European trial also favored treatment, using a different exposure definition.
1Evidence for the implant formulation
Scenesse is an implanted, controlled-release product placed by trained healthcare professionals. Its results do not validate daily injections prepared from research powder.
2Recent real-world EPP follow-up
In 20 Austrian patients, median reported light tolerance rose from 15 to 250 minutes during afamelanotide treatment. This uncontrolled follow-up supports the approved EPP context, not cosmetic research-powder use.
3Research areas and evidence gaps
EPP light tolerance. Scenesse implant is approved for adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria.2
- Whether research-vial products match the identity, release profile, sterility, or clinical effects of the approved implant.
- Long-term benefit and risk of cosmetic tanning schedules in healthy people.
Community reports Unvalidated
PepPedia describes use of research injections for tanning and pigmentation; this is outside the Scenesse evidence and approval.4
PepPedia's editorial protocol summary, not measured community consensus. Benefits, product identity, and safety are not independently verified; these reported practices are not recommendations.
Search coverage and review status
Added 2026 Austrian EPP follow-up, explicitly distinguished from research-powder injections. Some supplied bibliography links are mismatched or unresolved.
- Checked
- 2026-10-12
- Search
- "afamelanotide" 2025 2026 study
- Catalog
- Pep-Pedia ↗ · 11 listed references retained
- Targeted search and selected primary-source checks, not an exhaustive systematic review.
- Preserved bibliography entries marked unreviewed have not had their findings independently verified.
AI-prepared summaries. Independent medical editorial review is pending.
References
Original sources and review status. Open a reference to read its summary.
1Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic ProtoporphyriaAbstract checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Two placebo-controlled implant studies found longer pain-free sunlight exposure and improved quality of life in EPP; they did not study cosmetic self-injection.
Longer pain-free light exposure in EPP
In the published U.S. randomized study (94 participants), median pain-free sunlight exposure over six months was 69.4 hours with afamelanotide versus 40.8 with placebo (P=0.04). A separate 74-person European trial also favored treatment, using a different exposure definition.
2Scenesse U.S. prescribing informationPrimary source checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Defines the EPP indication, 16 mg implant, two-month interval, and skin/hypersensitivity precautions.
Evidence for the implant formulation
Scenesse is an implanted, controlled-release product placed by trained healthcare professionals. Its results do not validate daily injections prepared from research powder.
3Afamelanotide improves quality of life and light tolerance in Austrian erythropoietic protoporphyria patientsAbstract checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
A retrospective before-and-after assessment of 20 patients reported better quality of life and light tolerance during prescribed afamelanotide treatment. It did not study injectable research powder.
Recent real-world EPP follow-up
In 20 Austrian patients, median reported light tolerance rose from 15 to 250 minutes during afamelanotide treatment. This uncontrolled follow-up supports the approved EPP context, not cosmetic research-powder use.
Additional research · Checked 2026-10-12
4PepPedia: reported practices (accessed October 12, 2026)Community source checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Secondary editorial account of discussed practices; not a clinical trial or representative survey.
5Research catalog: labeled quantitiesCatalog checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Lists a 10 mg vial. Quantity examples only; vendor quality and suitability are not endorsed.
6Safety Profile Assessment (2006)Pep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: The source reports mainly nausea/flushing among 147 participants and no serious events; it does not establish safety of research-market products.
Reported population / model
Humans
Reported study details
147 subjects · Multiple doses · Minimal adverse events
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
7MT-I Photoprotection Study (2004)Pep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: Participants reportedly developed more pigmentation and less UV erythema; the card does not establish skin-cancer prevention.
Reported population / model
Humans
Reported study details
0.08-0.16 mg/kg · 28 days · Enhanced tanning, reduced UV damage
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
8Tanning Efficacy Comparison (2003)Pep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: The source describes visible pigmentation with little or no UV exposure; precise effect size and primary-study identity need verification.
Reported population / model
Humans
Reported study details
vs placebo · UV-free tanning assessment
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
9Melanocortin Receptor Binding Study (1997)Pep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: A receptor-binding study is described as finding much higher MC1R affinity than native alpha-MSH; binding does not establish a clinical dose.
Reported population / model
In vitro
Reported study details
Multiple concentrations · MC1R selectivity analysis
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
10Pharmacokinetics of Injectable MT-I (1997)Supplied PMID links to an unrelated tumour-genetics paperPep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: The source claims a 30-minute injectable half-life and complete bioavailability; these cannot be assumed for an implant or another formulation.
Reported population / model
Humans
Reported study details
Subcutaneous injection · 30-minute half-life · 100% bioavailability
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here. Supplied PMID links to an unrelated tumour-genetics paper
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
11Evaluation of melanotan-I in a pilot phase-I clinical studyPep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: Participants reportedly developed more pigmentation and less UV erythema; the card does not establish skin-cancer prevention.
Reported population / model
Humans
Reported study details
0.08-0.16 mg/kg · 28 days · Enhanced tanning, reduced UV damage
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
12Pharmacokinetics of [Nle4,D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH in rats and humansLinked reference · Not independently reviewed
REFERENCE NOTE
Reference retained from Pep-Pedia’s bibliography; findings and bibliographic accuracy have not been independently verified.
Pep-Pedia bibliography · Checked 2026-10-12
13Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercializationLinked reference · Not independently reviewed
REFERENCE NOTE
Reference retained from Pep-Pedia’s bibliography; findings and bibliographic accuracy have not been independently verified.
Pep-Pedia bibliography · Checked 2026-10-12
14Induction of skin tanning by subcutaneous administration of synthetic melanotropinLinked reference · Not independently reviewed
REFERENCE NOTE
Reference retained from Pep-Pedia’s bibliography; findings and bibliographic accuracy have not been independently verified.
Pep-Pedia bibliography · Checked 2026-10-12
15Melanotan I reduces acute and chronic UV-induced skin damageLinked reference · Not independently reviewed
REFERENCE NOTE
Reference retained from Pep-Pedia’s bibliography; findings and bibliographic accuracy have not been independently verified.
Pep-Pedia bibliography · Checked 2026-10-12
16The melanocortin-1 receptor is a key regulator of human cutaneous pigmentationLinked reference · Not independently reviewed
REFERENCE NOTE
Reference retained from Pep-Pedia’s bibliography; findings and bibliographic accuracy have not been independently verified.
Pep-Pedia bibliography · Checked 2026-10-12
17Pep-Pedia: Melanotan I — route-specific referenceReference page checked; underlying claims require separate verification.Community source checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Source page checked across available routes. Protocols, cycles, storage, mechanisms and pairing claims are secondary reports; checking the page does not independently validate those claims. Original concise summaries are used here.
Content coverage audit · Checked 2026-10-12