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MELANIN FORMATION Your skin color comes from a natural pigment called melanin. Melanin pigment is synthesized in specialized cytoplasmic organelles called melanosomes Within the melanosome, the enzymatic conversion of the amino acid tyrosine to melanin is catalyzed by the enzyme tyrosinase. The melanosomes in darker portions of the skin are more active than those found in normal areas of the body. Acquired Hyperpigmentation
Skin Diseases and Conditions • Melasma • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation External Causes: • UV exposure • Photosensitizing agents ( Bergamot oil) • Drugs (Tetracyclines, Amiodarone, Phenytoin, Sulfonamides) • Cosmetics Other causes: • Pregnancy • Liver disease • Pituitary tumors
Skin Lightening Agents Multiple depigmenting agents are currently available in the market place, although published clinical evidence to support their effectiveness is lacking for most of them. These skin lightening compounds work by removing undesired pigment by acting at one or more steps in the pigmentation process. Because of restrictions on the prescription of Hydroquinone, alternative depigmenting agents are increasingly being used alone or in combination with Hydroquinone or other skin lightening agents
Natural Depigmenting Agents: -Kojic acid -Licorice extract-inhibition of tyrosinase activity -Arbutin- inhibition of tyrosianse -Soy extracts -Vitamin C (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate) MAP is a source of Vitamin C which interferes with the pigment production by interacting with copper ions at the Tyrosinase active site. -Glycolic acid -Lactates-suppression of the formation of Tyrosinase -Tyrostat-strongest inhibitor of tyrosinase |