Melanotan I vs Snap-8
Side-by-side comparison of Melanotan I and Snap-8: mechanism, half-life, dose range, safety profile, and vendor pricing.
Price snapshot
Melanotan I
Snap-8
Melanotan I
Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a linear synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) with the substitution of norleucine at position 4 and D-phenylalanine at position 7. Unlike Melanotan II (which is…
Lowest listed price: $35.00 across 4 listings
Full Melanotan I profileSnap-8
Snap-8 (INCI: Acetyl Glutamyl Heptapeptide-1) is a synthetic octapeptide designed as an analog of the N-terminal fragment of synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25), which is the molecular target of botulinum…
Lowest listed price: $34.99 across 4 listings
Full Snap-8 profileSide-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Melanotan I | Snap-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Other | Skin & Hair |
| Research Stage | FDA Approved | Preclinical |
| Mechanism of Action | Melanotan I is afamelanotide, i.e. [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH ('NDP-alpha-MSH'), a synthetic 13-amino-acid analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. The Nle4 and D-Phe7 substitutions make it resistant to enzymatic breakdown and roughly 10-100x more potent… | Snap-8 (INCI Acetyl Octapeptide-3; CAS 868844-74-0) is a synthetic octapeptide, Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-Ala-Asp-NH2, whose sequence mimics the N-terminal domain of SNAP-25. SNAP-25, together with Syntaxin-1 and VAMP/synaptobrevin, forms the SNARE complex… |
| Half-Life | Controlled-release subcutaneous implant (Scenesse): high inter-subject variability; median Tmax ~36 h, mean Cmax ~3.7 ng/mL, apparent terminal half-life ~15 h, with plasma levels measurable to ~96 h post-dose (FDA pharmacokinetics, n=12). Injected/bolus free peptide: peak plasma at ~1-2 h with an elimination half-life of ~30 minutes; the Nle4/D-Phe7 modifications prolong biological (melanogenic) activity well beyond plasma clearance. | Not characterized (topical peptide) |
| Typical Dose Range | 16 mg | — |
| Dosing Frequency | every_1_to_4_weeks | twice_daily |
| Administration | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular | Topical |
| Side Effects | Generally mild. Commonly reported: transient nausea (usually milder and less frequent than with Melanotan II), facial flushing, headache, fatigue, and skin hyperpigmentation including darkening of existing moles, freckles and nevi. Implant-site reactions occur… | Topical use at cosmetic concentrations is generally well tolerated. The most commonly reported effects are mild, transient local reactions such as erythema, tightness, dryness, or stinging, usually at higher concentrations or on sensitive/periocular skin.… |
| Molecular Weight | 1646.85 g/mol (average; molecular formula C78H111N21O19) | 1075.16 g/mol |
| Common Vial Sizes | 5, 10 | 10 |
Price History
2 data points- Ion Peptide
- Disguised Alpha
Price History
3 data points- Ion Peptide
- OF
- Disguised Alpha
Melanotan I: potential benefits
- Increased melanin (eumelanin) production and skin darkening via MC1R activation, with a reduced UV requirement
- FDA-approved photoprotection in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) as the Scenesse 16 mg subcutaneous implant [PMID:26132941]
- Reduced phototoxic pain and improved quality of life in EPP patients in randomized controlled trials [PMID:26132941]
- Tends to produce fewer MC4R-type effects (spontaneous erections, strong libido, marked nausea) than the cyclic Melanotan II - attributable to Melanotan II's greater potency and metabolic stability, not to true MC1R selectivity of Melanotan I
- Investigated in research settings for photoprotection in UV-sensitive populations
Snap-8: potential benefits
- Reduction of dynamic expression wrinkles (forehead, crow's feet, glabellar lines)
- SNARE complex interference — partial, reversible neuromuscular inhibition
- Topical alternative research model for neuromuscular relaxation without injected toxin
- Cosmetic peptide compounding research — high-purity raw powder applications
- Synergy with Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-3) in SNARE-targeting formulations
Frequently asked
What's the difference between Melanotan I and Snap-8?
Melanotan I is a other that melanotan i is afamelanotide, i.e. [nle4, d-phe7]-alpha-msh ('ndp-alpha-msh'), a synthetic 13-amino-acid analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. the nle4 and d-phe7…. Snap-8 is a skin & hair that snap-8 (inci acetyl octapeptide-3; cas 868844-74-0) is a synthetic octapeptide, ac-glu-glu-met-gln-arg-arg-ala-asp-nh2, whose sequence mimics the n-terminal domain of snap-25.…. The two differ in mechanism, half-life (Controlled-release subcutaneous implant (Scenesse): high inter-subject variability; median Tmax ~36 h, mean Cmax ~3.7 ng/mL, apparent terminal half-life ~15 h, with plasma levels measurable to ~96 h post-dose (FDA pharmacokinetics, n=12). Injected/bolus free peptide: peak plasma at ~1-2 h with an elimination half-life of ~30 minutes; the Nle4/D-Phe7 modifications prolong biological (melanogenic) activity well beyond plasma clearance. vs Not characterized (topical peptide)), and typical dose range.
Which has the longer half-life, Melanotan I or Snap-8?
Melanotan I has a half-life of Controlled-release subcutaneous implant (Scenesse): high inter-subject variability; median Tmax ~36 h, mean Cmax ~3.7 ng/mL, apparent terminal half-life ~15 h, with plasma levels measurable to ~96 h post-dose (FDA pharmacokinetics, n=12). Injected/bolus free peptide: peak plasma at ~1-2 h with an elimination half-life of ~30 minutes; the Nle4/D-Phe7 modifications prolong biological (melanogenic) activity well beyond plasma clearance.. Snap-8 has a half-life of Not characterized (topical peptide). Longer half-lives generally mean less frequent dosing but slower on/off kinetics.
Which is cheaper, Melanotan I or Snap-8?
Lowest listed price on BodyHackGuide: Melanotan I from $35.00, Snap-8 from $34.99. Prices are pulled from the vendor listings tracked on BHG and change frequently. See the compare tables on each compound page for the current set of offers.
Can you stack Melanotan I and Snap-8?
Stacking depends on mechanism overlap, safety profile, and goals. Melanotan I and Snap-8 should only be stacked after reviewing each compound's individual protocol page, side effect profile, and any published interaction data. Use the BodyHackGuide stack builder for a structured review before combining research compounds.
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Research use only. BodyHackGuide is a research and price-comparison reference. The compounds discussed on this page are not approved by the FDA for human consumption and are sold strictly for laboratory research. Prices shown are pulled from vendor listings tracked on BHG and are subject to change. Every vendor is ranked on the same public, reproducible methodology. See editorial standards and affiliate disclosure.