Melanin is produced by cells that are called melanocytes. It gives colour to your skin, eyes and hairs. Sometimes, excessive production in specific parts of the body causes discoloration called hyperpigmentation.
You can reduce melanin in your body by different methods such as laser therapy and light treatments. The melanin production can also be controlled by adopting a better lifestyle.
In this article, you will explore how to reduce melanin in skin permanently. You will also discover some home remedies to reduce melanin.
What is Melanin?
The pigment in the body that gives colour to skin, hair and eyes is called melanin. The cells that involve in creation of this pigment are melanocytes.
All humans have the same number of melanocytes, some people make more melanin than others. If you have dark skin this means you have more melanin.
In some parts of bodies more melanin produces that causes darkening of skin this darkening of skin is called hyperpigmentation.
Although you can treat hyperpigmentation, there are some risks and limitations. You can reduce melanin production.
What are the Causes of Excessive Melanin Production?
Melanin production can change your skin tone, it looks darker. There are many reasons for excessive melanin production. Here are few reasons:
- Hormonal Imbalances: Most women experience hyperpigmentation because of imbalances in hormones. This can be due to excessive hormone production like estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy. If you are taking birth control pills, this also causes more production of melanin.
- Inflammatory Causes: Skin inflammation also produces most melanin production. Skin inflammation is caused by UV rays or mechanical injuries.
- Vitamin Deficiency: Malnutrition can also lead to more melanin production. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes more melanin production in our body.
- Addison’s Disease: Addison’s disease is an autoimmune disease. It affects the adrenal gland of the kidney. Adrenal gland produces hormones like cortisol. This disease can stimulate more melanin production.
Melanin production is controlled by genes. But these factors can stimulate excessive melanin production which makes your skin darker.
How to Reduce Melanin Production?
It is possible to reduce production. There are many ways to reduce it, but it is important to consult a doctor for guidance. Here are some ways to reduce melanin production permanently:
Laser Therapy
People use laser therapy to remove hair and stretch marks. It uses laser light to remove the outer layer of skin. It reduces the melanin in the treated part of the body. There are three levels of laser treatment.
- Ablative lasers: This treatment is used for severe discoloration cases. It removes the dark outer layer of skin and makes your skin lighter.
- Non-ablative lasers: This treatment is usually used for light hyperpigmentation. It increases collagen growth that affects melanin production.
- 1064 nm laser: This process doesn’t remove the outer layer of skin. It selectively removes melanin from certain parts of the body.
- QSRL (Q Switched Ruby Laser): it is a more aggressive process. It reduces melanin production by heating and dissolving the specific part of skin.
Laser therapy is not suitable for all. It can cause many side effects such as discoloration, scars, and infection. More use of lasers can cause depigmentation and other side effects. So, you should always consult a dermatologist for proper guidance.
Other Light-Based Therapy
This process uses intense pulse light to destroy melanin by heating. It uses scattered light of many wavelengths. It reduces discoloured spots which give you light skin tone.
The light energy penetrates into your skin and is converted into heat. This heat removes discoloured spots. If you have dark skin, do not opt for IPL. You should opt for a 1064 nanometre laser.
Topical creams or ointments
Many skin lightening creams also decrease the melanin in those areas of the body. Face cream have following ingredients:
| Ingredients | Responsible for |
| Kojic Acid | Produces a barrier against tyrosine which is responsible for melanin production |
| Vitamin C | Has properties that decrease melanin production on skin. |
| Glycolic Acid | Reduces this meaning by acting as exfoliating agent |
| Azelaic Acid | Use for acne treatment and also reduces multiplication of discoloured cell |
| Retinoid | An active agent which reduces melanin |
| Lactic Acid | Inhibit tyrosinase activity in your body to reduce melanin |
You can add retinal serum into your skin care routine. You can also use sandwich method in which you first apply a layer of ceramide, then retinol followed by another layer of retinal ceramide.
Skin lightening products have side effects such as dryness, irritation, redness and itchiness. So, you should always consult a dermatologist before using a skin care product.
Must Read – How Rice Water Toner Helps in Getting Glowing and Hydrated Skin?
Can You Slow Down Melanin Production?
More melanin production causes hyperpigmentation and melasma. You should use sunscreen to avoid such damage.
When you go out without SPF your skin becomes exposed to harmful rays. These rays can cause skin cancer and lead to more melanin production.
Sunscreen provides you protection against these homely rays. The American Academy of Dermatology recognizes that some factors create perfect SPF such as broad spectrum, water resistance and SPF 30 or above.
Sunscreen doesn’t provide protection to all UV rays. You should follow these tips to reduce melanin production.
- Don’t go out during the day.
- You should stay inside at noon as the sun rays are strongest.
- Reduce sun exposure at minimum.
- You should wear sunglasses, long sleeves and hats.
Is It Possible to Reduce Melanin Production Permanently?
All humans have different melanin production. It depends on genetics scientifically. You can remove melanin or lighten the hyperpigmentation. But there are high chances that pigmentation will return.
- It is not possible to reduce melanin permanently, but you can try different light skin lightening products.
- Melanin acts as a barrier to protect your skin.
- It has major side effects like less protection from UV rays, cancer, sensitive skin, itchiness and increased wrinkles.
- You should consult your dermatologist before reducing melanin.
How to Reduce Melanin Pigment by Eating?
Your body produces melanin each day. The quantity depends on your genetics. Melanin production can be changed by adopting a better lifestyle. You should increase the intake of vitamin B12 to reduce melanin.
You should also avoid foods which are directly linked to more melanin production. For example, you can reduce the intake of dark chocolate vitamin A and dark berries.
Add green vegetables to your diet. You should adopt a balanced lifestyle and consume high protein and fibrous foods. You should add papaya, kiwi, dry fruit and watermelon in your diet.
Must Read – Why You Need Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Serum in Your Skincare Routine
Home Remedies to Reduce Melanin Production
Do you want to know some home remedies to reduce melanin apart from SPF and skincare products? There are many home remedies that you can try. But you have to be patient as natural remedies take a long time to work.
- Turmeric: It is an active compound which inhibits tyrosinase activity. You should make a face mask with curd and turmeric powder.
- Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera has skin lightening properties. It reduces melanin production. It also treats sunburn and inflammation.
- Lemon Juice: It has bleaching properties so use it in less quantity. It lightens the skin as lemon is a rich source of vitamin C.
- Green Tea: It contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that prevents accumulation of melanin in skin.
You should avoid bleaching products to reduce melanin as home remedies.
Conclusion
Skin lightening treatment or products reduces melanin production temporarily. These products reduce melanin by inhibiting the enzyme activity which is required to form melanin.
It is not possible to reduce melanin production permanently. Because the melanin production is determined by your genetics initially.
If you try to remove melanin, this can cause serious issues like sensitive skin, cancer, itchiness and less protection from the Sun.
You should consult your doctor before treating hyperpigmentation in affected areas of your bodies.
