Case report · PMID 41752902
Changes in Oral Mucosa Associated with Melanotan II Injections: A Case Report — VialBase Research
Patient self-administered Melanotan II injections for 64 days for tanning
Last updated · 2026 · Bonchev A · Life (Basel)
Key findings
- Patient self-administered Melanotan II injections for 64 days for tanning
- Brown pigmentation observed on attached gingiva (maxillary and mandibular)
- Additional pigmented areas on buccal mucosa with irregular shapes
- Buccal pigmentation nearly resolved at 1-month post-discontinuation
- Gingival pigmentation persisted at 3-month follow-up with reduced intensity
- First documented timeline for oral pigmentation resolution after MT-II
PMID 41752902 — Melanotan II Oral Mucosal Pigmentation
Compound: Melanotan-II Citation: Bonchev A. Life. 2026;16(2):265. doi:10.3390/life16020265
Summary
Three-month follow-up case report of oral mucosal pigmentation changes following 64 days of self-administered Melanotan II injections for tanning purposes.
Key Findings
- Presentation: Brown pigmentation on attached gingiva (both arches), more intense in anterior lower jaw. Irregular pigmented areas on buccal mucosa bilaterally.
- Resolution timeline: Buccal mucosal pigmentation nearly resolved at 1 month post-discontinuation. Gingival pigmentation persisted at 3 months with visibly reduced intensity.
- Significance: First published data on resolution timeline for MT-II-induced oral pigmentation.
Clinical Implications
Demonstrates that MC1R activation by Melanotan II affects oral mucosal melanocytes, not just cutaneous melanocytes. The persistent gingival changes suggest long-duration melanocyte activation that outlasts the peptide’s pharmacological half-life.
See Also
- Parent compound: Melanotan-II