Not always exposure to the sun triggers the production of melanin. There are some factors that slow down the process of melanocyte division, which is far from beneficial to the immune system and the cardiovascular system. Aggressive ultraviolet radiation can change genetic information, give rise to malignant tumors, primarily skin cancer.
Melanin, like its antagonist melatonin, is credited with multiple beneficial properties that can not only protect or preserve the body, but also treat diseases. Consider how a lack of melanin is displayed on a person and ways to replenish it.
Melanin and its therapeutic effect
Melanin is a pigment contained in melanocytes, it is the coloring agent of the iris of the eyes, hair, and skin. Skin color is determined by genetic factors and depends on the amount of melanin in the epidermis. The more pigment, the darker the skin of a person. This is due to the latitude in which a person lives. In the dark-skinned people of Africa, due to the constant activity of the sun, the surface layers of the epidermis are filled with pigment, the skin quickly darkens as it is saturated with sunlight. And in Europe, for example, the active sun is replaced by a cold season with less radiation, and the skin of the inhabitants becomes lighter.
Melanin also protects DNA information from the mutagenic effects of sunlight. Therefore, the pigment is located near the nucleus of the cell and serves as a protector that reflects and absorbs the sun's rays. In addition, melanin has a calming effect on the nervous system and is a substance that improves mood, well-being, and can increase vitality.
The therapeutic effect of melanin on the human body:
- stops peptic ulcer of the stomach - only a water-soluble pigment;
- taking melanin extract contributes to a significant increase in immunity;
- melanin can inhibit the development of a cancerous tumor and prevent the spread of metastases;
- during the treatment of a stroke, water-soluble melanin has a positive effect on the patient's well-being;
- able to regulate blood sugar fluctuations;
- used to normalize the functioning of the liver and pancreas;
- plant extract is especially useful for normalizing the hormonal activity of the thyroid gland;
- removes heavy metals and toxins from the body.
So, melanin rejuvenates the body, and in combination with melatonin (sleep hormone) is the factor that ensures excellent health and good health.
Causes and signs of a decrease in the level of melanin in the body
No matter how hard you try to constantly be in the sun, there are cases when the production of melanin is leveled and its level decreases so much that diseases begin to arise in the body.
Under what conditions does the level of melanin decrease:
- taking hormonal drugs;
- development of endocrine diseases;
- genetic diseases;
- natural aging;
- deficiency of essential vitamins and minerals;
- stressful situations, nervous breakdowns;
- lack of amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine.
Signs of melanin deficiency
- uneven tan;
- skin irritation, white spots;
- prone to burns;
- premature photoaging - wrinkles, spots;
- eye color change (faded);
- the development of diseases associated with the production of melanin - vitiligo, albinism, chloasma;
- early gray hair.
Lack of melanin: how to resume pigment production
The lack of melanin is also difficult to make up for, like the lack of any other substances. To do this, be patient and consult a doctor. You can choose several ways to restore the level of melanin:
- Sparing - a healthy lifestyle and the use of products that can activate the synthesis of melanin.
- Medication - taking funds aimed at increasing the production of melanin.
First of all, to restore the lack of melanin, you should start by eating foods rich in the amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine.
What products to eliminate melanin deficiency should be consumed
- seafood;
- meat;
- liver;
- Brown rice;
- peanut;
- bananas;
- almond;
- dates;
- avocado;
- beans.
Not only these amino acids are necessary for the production of melanin, but you can’t do without vitamins (C, A, E) and carotene, which are contained in such products:
- peaches;
- rose hip;
- carrot;
- melon;
- apricots;
- grape;
- pumpkin;
- citrus;
- greenery.
In addition, to accelerate the production of melanin, you need:
- cocoa, hazelnuts, chocolate;
- pumpkin seeds; sesame and dates, pine nuts;
- bran bread.
After adjusting the diet, you need to change your lifestyle. Therefore, walk more in the fresh air, do not forget about morning exercises, move more, play sports, give up bad habits, do what you love.
As for taking medications to stabilize the production of melanin, it is better to consult a doctor who will choose the right remedy and decide on the dosage.
Melanin is a special substance called melanos produced by melanocytes. This is a natural dye in the body, it is responsible for the color of hair, eyes and skin. Its amount is laid down at the genetic level. Pigment synthesis is an important process for humans, as it protects against numerous external factors. If there is a violation of pigmentation and other health problems, it is necessary to restore melanin as soon as possible.
This substance protects the human body from the penetration of oncogenic agents, viruses, ultraviolet rays, and radioactive radiation.
In people of the Caucasian race, they contain a pigment dye in small quantities. The epidermis of indigenous Africans is completely filled. Melanos is found in the lining of the brain and internal organs. It is responsible for many vital functions. If a substance imbalance occurs regularly, serious health problems will begin.
The main types of melanins:
- yellow - pheomlanins;
- brown and black - eumelanins;
- neuromelanins.
The organism uses mainly black and brown, the main part of the remaining species acts as a ballast.
The main functions of the pigment:
- improves biochemical processes;
- reduces the amount of accumulated radionuclides;
- protects from ultraviolet radiation;
- contributes to the effective functioning of the immune system;
- suppresses the effects of ionizing radiation;
- prevents pathological changes in the thyroid gland, liver, hypothalamus, adrenal glands;
- neutralizes the harmful effects of free radicals.
Melanin is entrusted to protect the information of DNA cells from the mutagenic effects of ultraviolet radiation. It absorbs and reflects solar radiation. It improves mood, calms the nervous system, raises vitality and improves well-being, rejuvenates. When enough melatonin (sleep hormone) reacts with the colorant, health and general well-being are improved.
At present, scientists have not been able to accurately determine the cause of problems in pigment production, but numerous observations have helped to establish that people who regularly experience stress, nervous tension, physical overwork, do not play sports and eat poorly are susceptible to the development of this pathology.
Melanin deficiency: causes and symptoms
Melanin production can decrease regardless of the frequency of sun exposure. In such cases, there is a decrease in the level of the substance in the body, which contributes to the development of serious diseases.
Reasons for deficiency:
- diseases transmitted at the genetic level;
- taking hormonal drugs;
- nervous breakdowns, stress;
- malfunctions of the endocrine system;
- natural aging process;
- lack of tyrosine and tryptophan;
- deficiency of minerals and vitamins.
Symptoms and signs of lack of melanin in the body:
- pale shade of the iris;
- white spots, irritation;
- diagnosing chloasma, albinism or vitiligo;
- premature appearance of age spots and wrinkles;
- early gray hair;
- uneven tan;
- skin prone to sunburn.
With age, the lack of melanin is a natural consequence of the aging of the body and all its organs and systems. This is the main cause of gray hair, fading of the eye iris, the appearance of spots on the hands and face. But cosmetic defects are not the worst. With a strong decrease in the amount, Parkinson's disease or melanoma can develop.
Ways to increase
There are several ways to balance the level of the coloring matter to the previous positions: special nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and dietary supplements, medicines.
Doctors and sports consultants talk about the benefits of a proper balanced diet and an active lifestyle. If there was a failure in the body and the doctor diagnosed a lack of melanin in the skin, then regular exercise and giving up bad habits will help develop a coloring element and overcome the deficiency.
Recovery of pigment synthesis depends on the amount of amino acids entering the body. Of particular importance is the amino acid tyrosine. To maintain a sufficient amount of them, it is recommended to introduce the following foods into the diet:
- bananas;
- almond;
- carrot;
- seafood;
- cocoa;
- peanut;
- pumpkin;
- Brown rice;
- apricots;
- liver;
- avocado;
- chocolate;
- beans;
- citrus;
- dates;
- bran bread;
- melon;
- rose hip;
- sesame;
- carrot;
- Pine nuts.
To fill the deficit will help special medicinal and herbal preparations, which should be combined with sports and enriched nutrition.
Medicines against melanin deficiency:
- Inneov - the drug contains Indian gooseberries, useful antioxidants and a set of vitamins.
- Nature Tan is an effective remedy with extracts of grapes, soy, corn, vitamin E, selenium and beta-carotene.
- Pro Soleil is a fortified medicine with a natural composition.
- Bevital-San is a tablet containing beta-carotene and B vitamins.
As auxiliary means of pigment restoration, care products and medicines for external use can be used:
- Vitilemna;
- Melanin ointment;
- Vitix gel;
- cream Vitasan.
Those who want to get an even bronze tan use Melanotan 2. Once in the blood, the injection makes melanocytes work more actively and increases the protective functions of the skin. Under its action, the sun's ray does not penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin.
Before you start taking dietary supplements and medications, you should seek the advice of your doctor and undergo an examination. There are contraindications for admission.
Excess melanin: causes and symptoms
Hyperpigmentation is the process of oversaturation of coloring pigments in certain areas of the skin.
Why does an excess of pigment begin:
- natural aging of the body;
- hormonal changes as a result of the onset of menopause, pregnancy or taking hormonal drugs;
- malfunctions of the liver;
- thyroid disease, when the hormone begins to affect vital functions.
Symptoms of excess melanin in the body:
- birthmarks - look like blurry spots of different diameters and shapes, colors - black, light beige, dark brown;
- age spots - are formed on a clean skin or at the sites of injuries spontaneously or under the influence of external harmful factors, colors - dark;
- moles - a skin defect of an oval or rounded shape, the shade ranges from black to brown;
- freckles - closely spaced small spots of dark and light brown tones.
Often hyperpigmentation attacks the face and other exposed areas of the body exposed to solar radiation.
Ways to reduce
You can overcome excess melanin in the body with cosmetic procedures and bleaching agents.
Popular methods of struggle aimed at the destruction of the pigment substance:
- Exfoliating treatments. Laser resurfacing and acid peeling affect the upper layer of the epidermis and, together with it, the main symptom of hyperpigmentation - spots is eliminated. It is necessary to do a course of several sessions.
- Mesotherapy. The skin is enriched with special compounds to heal and normalize the production of melanin.
- Depigmenting cosmetics. Regular application of compositions with brightening components helps restore an even tone to the cover and destroy excess pigment.
- The use of inhibitors: ascorbic acid, hydroquinone, azelinic acid. Substances allow you to treat the skin, eliminate excess melanin and its main feature. Regular use will contribute to the normal function of melanocyte cells and pigmentation will be produced in the required amount.
Treatment of hyperpigmentation should be carried out under medical supervision. It is not recommended to restore the work of melanocytes on their own, since it is important to establish the cause of the development of this phenomenon.
The correct synthesis of melanin is important for the body, without it we are like an unprotected newborn child, exposed to dangers from all sides. But few people think about the correct production of pigment, subjecting the body and skin to serious tests. If, over time, in a photo or in a mirror, changes in tan and white or dark pigmentation began to be noticed, it's time to think about health. Only a complex of diagnostics will help to get the previous look. The main thing is to start therapy and prevent complications on time.
Melanin is a substance that is responsible for the color of hair, skin, eye iris and for biochemical processes in the body. The more substance, the darker the color, the brighter the pigment. Excess leads to the appearance of age spots and freckles. It is possible to reduce melanin in the body through complex therapy.
Many perceive the substance as a side component, however, this is not true. The hormonal element has a lot of important functions:
- UV protection. Prolonged exposure to the sun is fraught with the formation of malignant processes. Melanin absorbs the sun's rays. This leads to the fact that ultraviolet is converted into favorable thermal energy and helps to maintain phytochemical reactions.
- Changes the content of radionuclides in the blood. Eliminates the negative effects of radicals and ionizing radiation.
- The substance provides comprehensive protection against stress and relieves the effects of nervous experiences. This becomes the key to the effectiveness of the immune system under stressful factors.
- The component initiates biochemical processes in the human body. The element serves as a protective material in the nucleus of cells, which, with prolonged exposure to sunlight, distort the genetic structure.
- Thanks to melanin, pathologies in the organs are blocked. This applies to the thyroid gland, liver and adrenal glands.
Causes of Excess
Production is the result of the work of the endocrine system, the thyroid and sex glands, where melanoma and melanin-stimulating hormones play the main role.
Excess melanin is a common problem that even a healthy person can face. Most often this happens after or during pregnancy, with long-term use of potent medications and hormonal drugs.
One of the common causes is the effects of aging and prolonged exposure to the sun. The development process is expressed in the formation of dark spots on different parts of the body. These are skin, eyes and hair.
Other factors include:
- conditions of artificial ultraviolet radiation, which is important for those who visit solariums;
- prolonged wearing of jewelry made of copper, gold, silver and iron on the body, which contain components that stimulate the production of pigment;
- liver diseases and inflammatory processes on the skin.
What causes excess melanin
Violations, increase and decrease in the level of a substance in the body are noticeable on the body, eyes and hair:
- There is a vulnerability to sunburn. This leads to uneven tanning, including the rapid "burning" of the skin under the scorching sun.
- If the amount of melanin in the skin is excessively reduced, whitish spots form. An overabundance is characterized by the appearance of dark areas prone to irritation.
- Wrinkles are the first sign of a hormonal imbalance. There is also premature graying.
With an excess, the color of the iris changes, which becomes darker. With a deficiency, the shell fades.
How to reduce pigment production
Excess melatonin does not pose a threat to health and is not perceived by doctors as a dangerous condition. The key problem is the discomfort that women are familiar with, most often encountering a lack or excess of pigment.
You can reduce melanin in the body in the following ways:
- The main rule is to eliminate long exposure to the sun. This will help to avoid the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation and reduce the production of melanin in the skin to the optimum volume in a short time. Hyperpigmentation decreases after 2-3 months.
- Produced special depigmenting cosmetics. The composition of the funds contains components that contribute to the removal of melanin from the body.
- The clinics offer meseotherapy. This is a method in which drugs are injected under the skin that reduce hyperpigmentation, hair and iris.
- Another way is to use exfoliating treatments. Laser resurfacing and peeling will help restore the old complexion, which, among other things, initiate the process of getting rid of melanin in the body.
So-called inhibitors fight against the consequences of an overabundance. These are substances applied to the “affected” areas of the skin and gradually returning the original shade. Among the inhibitors are: ascorbic and kojic acid, arbutin, melanoxyl.
Reducing the production of melanin can be achieved through proper nutrition. An interview with a doctor is the best way to create an individual home diet for every day. To lower melanin in the eyes, hair and skin will help the rejection or reduction of foods containing vitamins A, E, C, which stimulate the production of the substance.
Why do I have spots on my skin?
In fact, there may be several reasons. Fortunately, skin whitening follows the same principle as blemishes.
Most often, a change in color is a consequence of skin inflammation. A little damage, an insect bite or a short scratch is enough to get skin irritation and then permanent spots.
Once appeared, such spots will not disappear. No one is immune from such a phenomenon, which is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. How much your skin tone can change depends on your complexion. The darker the skin, the darker the spots that form and the longer it will take to get rid of them. So, for example, purplish spots can be reduced in 6 months, and dark brown spots can take more than a year.
Another cause of heterogeneous pigmentation is melanosis. The release of estrogens can provoke an increased production of pigmented melanocytes. The result is brown dots on the cheeks, chin, forehead and around the mouth. And it is not necessary to be pregnant or undergo hormone therapy to provoke this process.
The enemy of our skin. Regardless of the cause of pigmentation, the sun significantly enhances the difference between the natural skin color and the shade of unwanted spots. You can then blame the long hours spent under the scorching rays for everything, but remember, without you let the ultraviolet rays activate the production of melanocytes.
Basics of discoloration
The positive thing about getting rid of age spots is that, regardless of the cause, be it acne, insect bites, irritation, cuts, freckles or hormonal disruptions, they are all eliminated in the same way.
- It is important to understand the terminology. The only recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration bleaching Hydroquinone is recognized as a substance. This means that products called "clarifier", "cleaner" or "bleach" contain completely different ingredients.
- Clarifier is applied only to a dark spot. Select only prominent areas of the skin. If there are no such places, or you have a lot of freckles, choose a safer product suitable for applying to large areas of the skin.
- Avoid getting the brightener on healthy skin, otherwise it will also change color.
- Stop using the brightener when you achieve the desired effect, otherwise you will get spots that are lighter than your natural skin tone.
- Protection against is extremely important. It will darken the treated areas. Broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 should be applied daily, including over brightener.
- The bleaching process is very long and can sometimes take more than a year.
Variety doesn't hurt
Previously, only hydroquinone-based products were used for clarification. It was also present in prescription drugs, at a concentration of 3-4%, and in over-the-counter drugs, but already at a concentration of up to 2%.
Unfortunately, these funds were not suitable for everyone, and the bleaching process itself took a very long time. So if you're trying to lighten your skin, you need to act on two fronts at the same time.
A good bleaching agent should not only eliminate unwanted foci of pigmentation, but also prevent the formation of melanin that changes the color of the skin. As is usually the case in medicine, the faster the treatment, the more physiological processes it covers. The same is true for skin lightening.
Usually, pigmentation occurs on the basis of a special enzyme - tyrosinase, which greatly enhances the formation of melanin. Stop the production of tyrosinase and you can prevent the formation of new spots.
Stop the pigmentation process
In the early stages of the development of skin lightening, only one element was used. Now the rule “more is better” applies. The combination of several active elements significantly improves the result. Here is what you can find in the composition of modern skin lightening products:
hydroquinone
One of the many elements that prevent the formation of tyrosinase. Hydroquinone has side effects: it causes irritation, intense darkening of the treated areas of the skin, and also theoretically leads to impaired embryonic development. In laboratory experiments, hydroquinone caused mutations in Salmonella bacteria and hamsters. It is commercially available in the United States, while its use as a lightening agent is prohibited in Europe and South Africa.
Therefore, if there is no improvement after 4-6 months of use, it is better to stop using hydroquinone.
In addition, there are 2 analogues of hydroquinone that do not cause irritation, pigmentation and mutations. This is an extract of madder and arbutin.
Madder extract
It is a natural bleach obtained from the leaves of tropical plants. Like hydroquinone, it stops the process of melanin formation. The active ingredient in madder extract is Harounoside, a derivative of hydroquinone. But despite the similar chemical composition, madder extract is much more effective and does not cause irritation.
Bearberry extract
The active substance is arbutin. The extract is obtained from the leaves of the bearberry bush. As another hydroquinone derivative, it inhibits tyrosinase activity and provides a final result without side effects. Neither Harounoside nor Arbutin breaks down to hydroquinone.
Dithiaoctanediol
The only way to prevent melanin production is to completely eliminate sugar. Glucose molecules provoke the formation of tyrosinase. Dithiaoctanediol is added to lightening products to combat sugar-induced pigmentation.
Licorice extract
Licorice contains glabridin. It also blocks the production of tyrosinase. Glabridin is non-toxic to melanocytes and keranocytes, in addition, it has long been known as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Gluconic acid
Gluconic acid binds copper molecules, which trigger the production of tyrosinase, therefore it is an effective skin lightening agent and is often included in bleaching products.
Polyacrylic acid
Polyacrylic acid is a waste product of versicolor versicolor. It is used for treatment. Polyacrylic acid selectively acts on hyperactive melanocytes.
Paper tree extract
This is another natural extract that blocks the production of tyrosinase. It does not cause irritation and is often included in clarifying products.
Kojic acid
Kojic acid, a metabolic product of fungal organisms, is a popular brightening agent among the peoples of the East. It inhibits the production of tyrosinase, and with prolonged use completely stops the activity of melanocytes.
Melatonin
Usually not included in bleaching products, although it is known for its ability to bleach hair follicles. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland and interacts not with tyrosinase, but with the cell membrane.
Vitamin C
Some vitamin C derivatives are known for their ability to reduce melanin production. Among the bottom are L-ascorbic acid, magnesium and sodium ascorbic phosphates. In addition, these substances are antioxidants and can slow down the pigmentation process to some extent. Together or singly, they can destroy active melanocytes.
The time of monotherapy in skin lightening is over. Among prescription and over-the-counter drugs, look for those that approach the problem of melanin production in a complex way.
Erase age spots
Preventing stains is the number one question, but existing ones must also be removed. , salicylic acid, retinoids, travases are aimed at removing discolored cells.
Tretinoin and retinol
Tretinoin activates cellular metabolism, accelerating the process of exfoliation and lightening age spots. Under such conditions, melanocytes simply do not have time to turn into keratinocytes. Retinol is an over-the-counter analogue of tretinoin. However, when choosing between them, remember that retinol is much more aggressive. Use it very carefully, otherwise your skin will become dry and flaky.
Glycolic acid
Accelerate the process of removing dead cells. The most famous of them are glycolic and lactic acids. Therefore, they are often included in the composition of brightening agents.
Travaza
It is a protease enzyme. Travaza breaks down the intercellular substance, breaking intercellular bonds, thereby provoking the process of exfoliation. In addition, travasa facilitates the absorption of products aimed at reducing the production of melanin.
Peeling power
An excellent remedy for the prevention of melanosis. It not only removes pigmented cells from the surface of the skin, but also facilitates the penetration of brightening agents. There are many mechanical and chemical methods of exfoliation. However, regardless of the method you choose, inflammation should not be allowed. Too much irritation can lead to new pigmentation.
And most importantly, remember that skin lightening is a long and complex process. When you get the desired result, do not forget about sunscreen.
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Melanin is not in vain called the strong shell of the human body. This pigment not only protects the skin from exposure to direct sunlight, but prevents the penetration of viruses, oncogenic agents and radioactive radiation into the body.
Lack of melanin in the body
White, irritated skin, a predisposition to sunburn and the inability to tan normally suggests that Mother Nature shamelessly deprived you of this necessary and useful pigment.
With age, the percentage of melanin in the body also steadily decreases. This leads to fading of the eye iris, facial skin and the appearance of whitish spots on the body.
A decrease in the level of melanin in the body can, among other things, cause early gray hair, which in itself does not paint a woman at all. Alas, cosmetic difficulties are not the worst thing that a deficiency of this useful pigment threatens. Melanoma, Parkinson's disease, vitiligo, phenylketonuria and albinism are just a small list of health problems that await a person who is not protected by a shield of melanin.
To the question: “how to increase melanin in the body and maintain a youthful appearance and excellent health for a long time?”, Experts answer that the easiest way to do this is through nutritional correction.
What foods contain melanin?
Recharging melanin with a balanced menu is one of the most pleasant and uncomplicated methods of treatment. After all, this pigment, as for selection, is contained in a mass of tasty and healthy products:
Alternative ways to increase melanin
The production of melanin in the body is directly dependent on ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, morning or evening exercise under the rays of a gentle, cool sun, no worse than food, will spur the production of useful pigment.
Normalization of the hormonal balance, which is upset with age, will also help melanin replenishment. Melanocortin is a hormonal agent of the human body that directly affects the production of pigment. Unfortunately, attempts to create an artificial hormonal analogue have not been successful. The synthetic substance in the blood disintegrated too quickly, without having time to bring any visible effect. Therefore, today increasing the level of melanin with the help of hormones is possible only in a natural way.
Good nutrition, outdoor walks and a good mood not only help restore melanin balance, but also keep the body in good shape, increase immunity and stabilize biochemical reactions in the body. Adhering to the rules of a healthy lifestyle, you will keep fresh tanned skin, shining eyes and flowing, without gray hair, hair for a long time, and hence good health.