Research has found Melanotan 2 stimulates the body’s melanocortin receptors. Melanotan 2 (MT-2) is a peptide which has been synthetically manufactured to act in the same way as the body’s own natural hormone. As a result of its consumption, the body’s melanocytes are stimulated to produce melanin which enables people to tan.

Melanin is the pigment which is responsible for determining someone’s skin and hair colour as well as the colour of their eyes (retina). Its production and release is controlled by the pituitary glands by the polypeptide melanocortin and is a hormonal process. Once activated, this hormone is naturally produced by the specialised skin cells, the melanocytes which are located in the upper layer of skin.

Melanotan 2 works in stimulating melanin production depends on a number of factors such as the user’s skin type, their body weight, how much they are exposed to UV rays and so on.

The scientific term for tanning is called melanogenesis, and it is the body’s natural protection against damage from harmful UV rays including damage to the skin’s DNA. In the natural process called ultrafast internal conversion, the melanin within the skin cells absorbs the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, converts them into heat and also causes the skin to tan.

Melanotan 2 is a synthetic melanocortine which mimics this natural process. It acts as a hormonal catalyst encouraging the body’s skin cells to produce more melanin. In this way, the skin is protected. Tanning can take place much more quickly without spending hours in the sun with the possible negative effects it can have on the skin and long-term health.