Vitamin C is an effective skin lightener that has been described as a melanogenesis inhibitor due to its inhibition of tyrosinase and reduction of melanin and melanin intermediates, such as dopaquinone.
Vitamin C is a naturally occurring substance and an essential nutrient. It has various biological and pharmaceutical functions. It inhibits melanin synthesis through downregulation of tyrosinase enzyme activity.
Antioxidant activity and photoprotection are not the only benefits that vitamin E offers. Scientists have found that delta tocotrienols are quite effective at slowing the production of melanin, the skin pigment responsible for unsightly age spots.
A small amount of lemon is good to control melanin production. Tomatoes help reduce the risk of sunburns. Lycopene present in tomatoes has a photo-protective effect that provides protection from sunburns. Potato is another natural ingredient that lightens dark spots and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
People with more melanin generally have darker skin, eyes and hair compared to those with little melanin. Additionally, people who're born with clusters of melanocytes have freckles.
What vitamins reduce melanin? Vitamin B12 as said earlier reduces melanin in the body. A deficiency in vitamin B12 causes an increase in melanocyte skin cells in our body.
Skin whitening or lightening is the most effective way to lighten dark spots. Vitamins can be used to lighten your skin and lighten dark spots. Three of the best vitamins for lightening dark spots are vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin E.
Vitamin D is known to enhance the rate of melanin synthesis; and this may concurrently regulate the expression of furin expression. In silico analyses have revealed that the intermediates of melanin are capable of binding strongly with the active site of furin protease.
Darker areas of skin (or an area that tans more easily) occurs when you have more melanin or overactive melanocytes. Bronzing of the skin may sometimes be mistaken for a suntan. This skin discoloration often develops slowly, starting at the elbows, knuckles, and knees and spreading from there.
The melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is an important peptide implicated in the control of motivated behaviors. History, however, made this peptide first known for its participation in the control of skin pigmentation, from which its name derives.
Vitamin C is an effective skin lightener that has been described as a melanogenesis inhibitor due to its inhibition of tyrosinase and reduction of melanin and melanin intermediates, such as dopaquinone.
In summary, high Melanocyte activity leads to higher levels of melanin, causing skin to darken, so suppression of that activity can help the complexion remain even. Zinc similarly inhibits Tyrosinase activity, again in effect reducing the production of melanin.
Melanin is a natural skin pigment. Vitamin B3 reduces the hyperpigmentation of the skin and thus, prevents it from getting darker. The presence of vitamin B3 helps in retaining moisture in the skin which is good. It also helps in increasing the production of ceramides (lipids present on the outer layer of the skin).
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.
Does Vitamin C Affect Skin Color? No. Vitamin C helps fade hyperpigmentation caused by the overproduction of melanin, but it won't change the natural color of your skin. It will lighten darkened areas caused by overexposure to the sun, free radicals, heredity and hormones.
Vitamin C is also one of the main promoters of collagen synthesis, which is important for skin elasticity, according to Dr. Kung. Vitamin C can also help even out skin tone. “When applied topically, vitamin C serums can help to lighten sun-induced dark spots,” notes Patrick M.
The characteristic dermatological sign of vitamin B 12 deficiency is cutaneous pigmentation, which can be reversed by administration of vitamin B 12 .
“Elevated levels of homocysteine, an amino acid, may damage the production of cells in your body by way of increasing the occurrence of oxidative stress. This is where the folate in folic acid helps — to break down homocysteine which, in turn, lightens the skin,” informed Dr Anup.
Vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin — the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes color. The involved patches of skin become lighter or white. It's unclear exactly what causes these pigment cells to fail or die.
Melanin protects skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays. These can burn the skin and reduce its elasticity, leading to premature aging. People tan because sunlight causes the skin to produce more melanin and darken. The tan fades when new cells move to the surface and the tanned cells are sloughed off.
If you have had a skin infection, blisters, burns, or other trauma to your skin, you may have a decrease or increase of pigmentation in the affected area. This type of alteration is usually not permanent, but may take up to several months to fade or get better.
When those skin cells are damaged or unhealthy, they can produce too much melanin. The melanin can clump, causing that area to appear darker. Many things can lead to hyperpigmentation: Adrenal disorders such as Addison's disease, when the body doesn't make enough of a hormone called cortisol.