The primary stimulus for
When you spend time out in the sun, your body produces more melanin. The substance absorbs light from UV rays and redistributes it toward the upper layers of skin. It also protects the genetic material stored in your cells by keeping out harmful UV rays.
When you're in the sun, your body makes more melanin. That gives you some protection from harmful UV rays. But that process doesn't happen fast enough to keep you completely safe. If you're sunburned or your skin turns slightly darker, it's being damaged.
The underlying hormone responsible for triggering the melanocytes is melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). This hormone increases the production of melanin, which is responsible for darkening your skin.
The primary stimulus for melanogenesis and subsequent melanosome production is UV radiation, which upregulates melanocyte production of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and its downstream products, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
“After a couple of weeks the side with the drug is noticeably quite a bit darker than the other side,” Ridky said, pointing. The estrogen darkens skin. Progesterone lightens it.
Numerous variables, such as sun exposure, hormone changes, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, ageing, skin conditions, and lifestyle choices, can cause skin darkening. Understanding the underlying reasons will help us avoid or cure darker skin tones.
Natural Ways To Increase Melanin
Antioxidants may help protect melanocytes by fighting oxidative stress such as from UV rays, boosting pigmentation and bringing back your skin's color. Examples of extracts and antioxidants used to treat vitiligo include: Vitamins A, D, and E. Coenzyme Q10.
The melanin in the skin is produced by melanocytes, which are found in the basal layer of the epidermis. Although, in general, human beings possess a similar concentration of melanocytes in their skin, the melanocytes in some individuals and ethnic groups produce variable amounts of melanin.
Vitamin A, C and B12 are the most needed vitamins to increase the melanin production in your hair. Add citrus fruits like oranges, grapes, pineapple, and melon to your diet. Also eat vegetables like potatoes, carrots, beans, etc. Non vegetarians can try adding red meat, chicken liver, fish, and eggs to their diet.
Melanin inhibitors are a topic of growing interest in the fields of dermatology and cosmetic science. These agents are designed to reduce the production of melanin, the natural pigment responsible for the color of our skin, hair, and eyes.
Autoimmune conditions
If you have non-segmental vitiligo, your immune system destroys the melanocyte skin cells that make melanin. Vitiligo is also associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), but not everyone with vitiligo will develop these conditions.
The hyperpigmentation related to vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in darker-skinned patients. Few other cases of skin hyperpigmentation due to vitamin B12 deficiency have been reported in the literature. The mechanism of hyperpigmentation is due to increased melanin synthesis rather than a defect in melanin.
A rise in melanin production causes hyperpigmentation. Examples C and D in Figure 3, and other situations where melanin synthesis increases, primarily result from sun exposure, dermatological conditions, hormones, age, hereditary factors, skin injuries or inflammation, and acne [24].
Lupus: If you have lupus, you may develop a rash on your nose and cheeks after sun exposure. Addison's disease: It causes patches of dark skin around skin folds or joints.
Your skin can develop darker patches as the result of excess melanin production, typically caused by skin inflammation, hormone fluctuations, and poor lifestyle choices.
Textbook & Expert-Verified. The two main factors that stimulate melanin production are exposure to sunlight and exposure to ultraviolet light. High temperatures, X-rays, and antibiotics do not significantly contribute to melanin production.
Caffeic acid, a compound present in coffee, was shown to decrease melanin production in B16F10 cells [40] and also diminish UVB-induced hyperpigmentation and dermatitis in a mouse model after oral administration [41].
Most commonly, celebrities resort to chemical peels or laser therapy to get rid of hyperpigmentation fast. Others opt for vitamin C supplements, retinol, or serums to lighten their skin.
Thyroid hormone contributes directly to your appearance as you age. Thinning hair, dry skin, brittle nails, feeling tired and looking puffy are all results of low thyroid levels.
Currently, no safe or proven method exists to increase melanin – the pigment, or color, in a person's skin, hair, and eyes. A person's genetics determine their natural melanin levels and skin color. In general, people who have darker skin tones have more melanin than those with lighter skin tones.