Leuphasyl vs Melanotan I

A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.

Leuphasyl

Leuphasyl (Pentapeptide-18) is a cosmetic peptide that reduces muscle tension through a mechanism similar to enkephalins. Often combined with Syn-Ake for enhanced anti-wrinkle effects.

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Melanotan I

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It is FDA-approved as Scenesse for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a rare genetic disorder causing severe sun sensitivity.

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect	Leuphasyl	Melanotan I
Dose Range	200 mcg–500 mcg	250 mcg–500 mcg
Frequency	2x daily	1x daily
Cycle Length	4–8 weeks	1–4 weeks
Route	topical	subcutaneous
Mechanism	Mimics enkephalin and binds to enkephalin receptors on muscle cells, reducing acetylcholine release and thereby decreasing muscle contraction intensity.	Binds to melanocortin 1 receptors (MC1R) on melanocytes, stimulating eumelanin production. This increases skin pigmentation and provides photoprotection without UV exposure.
Typical Dosage	Topical: 3-8% concentration in serums. Often used in combination products with other muscle-relaxing peptides.	Clinical: 16mg implant every 2 months. Research protocols for tanning typically use 0.5-1mg daily for loading, then maintenance dosing.
Administration	Topical application to expression lines. Best results with consistent twice-daily use over 8+ weeks.	FDA-approved form is a subcutaneous implant. Research use involves subcutaneous injection. Often combined with minimal UV exposure to enhance results.
Side Effects	Very well-tolerated topically. No significant adverse effects reported at cosmetic concentrations.	Nausea (especially initially), facial flushing, fatigue, headache, and darkening of existing moles or freckles.
Best For	Skin Health & Aesthetics	Skin Health & Aesthetics