Vitamins B6 and B12 have also been proven to boost melanin production. Goddard says that vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, has been found to trigger the production of enzymes and chemical reactions that boost the metabolism of the hair proteins (keratin and melanin) in the hair follicles.
Vitamin A. Studies suggest vitamin A is important to melanin production and is essential to having healthy skin. You get vitamin A from the food you eat, especially vegetables that contain beta carotene, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and peas.
Vitamin D is known to enhance the rate of melanin synthesis; and this may concurrently regulate the expression of furin expression.
People of any skin type can have increased melanin pigmentation to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Studies show that increasing intake of certain nutrients can increase melanin levels, and it can even increase melanin levels in fair-skinned people.
Eating Antioxidant-Rich Foods
While there is limited research that certain foods can boost melanin production, antioxidant-rich foods are full of vitamins that can support healthy hair, skin, and eyes. Foods with high levels of antioxidants can help protect cells against free radical damage.
A number of factors can trigger an increase in melanin production, but the main ones are sun exposure, hormonal influences, age and skin injuries or inflammation. Sun exposure is the number one cause of hyperpigmentation as it's sunlight that triggers the production of melanin in the first place.
The production of melanin is regulated by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), which is produced from proopiomelanocortin (POMC). Keratinocytes release POMC along with lower levels of α-MSH and ACTH.
A master regulator of gene activity sets skin cells to make melanin every 48 hours. 48 HOURS Daily exposure to the sun can hurt sunbather's chance of developing a dark tan. That's because skin cells don't operate on a daily schedule, instead making melanin only every other day, experiments in human cells and mice show.
Skin layers and melanin
It's produced in cells called melanocytes. Vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin — the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes color.
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.
However, a recently advanced hypothesis argues that limited minerals in the diet, such as calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe), may serve to increase melanin pigment production and maintain signal honesty.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plays an important role in maintaining skin health and can promote the differentiation of keratinocytes and decrease melanin synthesis, leading to antioxidant protection against UV-induced photodamage.
In their quest for the perfect tan, some people may look for a "magic pill" that will help them achieve this with minimal exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. There are no such pills approved for this purpose.
You can use topical products to lighten your skin. These products reduce melanin and are commercially available. Prescription or over-the-counter skin lightening products often have the following ingredients: hydroquinone, kojic acid, vitamin C, glycolic acid, azelaic acid, retinoid.
Albinism. When a person has very little melanin, it results in this rare disorder. People with albinism have pale skin, white hair and blue eyes. There's also an increased risk for vision loss and sun damage.
It reduces the amount of melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes. People with albinism (albinos) have white hair, pale skin, and blue eyes. Their eyes may seem red in different lighting conditions.
now show that estrogen increases pigment production in human melanocytes, and progesterone decreases it. For hormones to signal to cells, they must bind to and activate particular receptor proteins.
In most vertebrates, melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) peptides are secreted specifically by the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland and function primarily in skin darkening, with an array of other, minor activities. The MSH peptides include α-MSH, β-MSH, and γ-MSH.
The most common active ingredient in tanning pills is a food-coloring additive called canthaxanthin. When you ingest this color additive, it purportedly releases pigment-changing compounds in your skin, and long-term use will make your skin turn darker.
The main drugs implicated in causing skin pigmentation are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antimalarials, amiodarone, cytotoxic drugs, tetracyclines, heavy metals and psychotropic drugs.
It is suggested that deficiency of vitamin B12 causes decrease in intracellular reduction potential that leads to oxidation of the reduced glutathione and decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio. The epidermal melanocytes are then stimulated to produce melanin as the tyrosinase inhibiting effect of GSH has been diminished.
Zinc similarly inhibits Tyrosinase activity, again in effect reducing the production of melanin.
No, Vitamin C stains can occur to any skin type since the cause of it is oxidation of the product before or after applying it. The color of the stain may differ. It could be brown or orange or yellowish. But, stains are not specific to a skin type or skin color.
However, aside from wearing sunscreen and limiting sun exposure, you can't lower your body's overall melanin production. Permanent reduction isn't possible, since melanin formation is determined by genetics.
Vitamin C powder for treating sun damage
Applying vitamin C to your face may help reduce the appearance of dark spots caused by sun damage. Topical vitamin C inhibits the production of melanin, which is what gives skin spot their dark color.