Licensed use — if any
EMA-authorised Scenesse is used to prevent phototoxicity in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria under specialist care. That is not approval for cosmetic tanning.
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Alpha-MSH analogue
Melanotan I / Afamelanotide
Afamelanotide is a synthetic alpha-MSH analogue. The regulated Scenesse implant must not be confused with unlicensed 'Melanotan I' tanning products.
Research interest
Photoprotection and melanocortin biology in a rare genetic disease, plus separate pigmentation research.
Evidence lens
Known does not mean proven for everything.
The strongest claim on the page should never be stronger than the strongest source behind it.
- A regulated EU medicine exists for a rare and tightly controlled indication.
- Its manufacturing, implant presentation and clinical controls are not equivalent to grey-market tanning vials.
- An authorised active ingredient does not validate every product using a similar name.
- Identity and quality of products sold online as Melanotan I.
- Safety of unapproved routes and cosmetic use.
- Long-term outcomes without specialist monitoring.
- Unregulated tanning products may be mislabelled or contaminated.
- Pigment changes need clinical review rather than cosmetic reassurance.
- Rare-disease approval should not be repurposed as a consumer tanning claim.
Regulatory snapshot
Jurisdiction and context matter.
A current UK product and indication must be checked in the MHRA database; no tanning indication is presented here.
No FDA-approved cosmetic tanning product is established on this page.
Athletes should verify the exact regulated medicine and current WADA/Global DRO status.
Primary sources
Open the record.
Statuses change. Always check the current regulator, product label, trial record and anti-doping list.
Do not start, stop or source a medicine based on this page. Speak to a qualified healthcare professional and use regulated supply routes. Call 999 in an emergency or NHS 111 for urgent advice.
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