The world is full of different kinds of individuals with varying skin types and colours. But have you ever wondered, what gives colour to your skin? How one individual has wheatish colour while others have darker skin tones? The various shades in the skin tone are due to primary skin pigment, known as melanin, which determines the colour of your skin. The amount of melanin is directly proportional to the colour of your skin. That is to say that if in an individual the melanin production is high, then the individual tends to be of a darker skin tone.

In this article, you will learn how to reduce excessive melanin in your skin to achieve your desired skin tone.

What Is Melanin and What Causes It

Melanocytes are the cells present in one’s skin that help in production of melanin. Every single person has the same number of melanocytes inside their skin but the melanin production gets affected due to certain factors like exposure to UV rays, malnutrition, hormonal changes, vitamin deficiency, some liver disorders, genes etc.

How to Reduce Melanin

There are various methods that help to decrease excess melanin. Dermatologists or skin specialists are the right people who can help you in access your skin condition in order to choose the correct treatment method.

• Chemical peels
  
  Chemical peels are short, non-invasive procedures used by dermatologists to decrease melanin production. The type of peel is decided by the dermatologist as per the skin type and requirement.
  
• Laser Therapy
  
  To reduce excess melanin in selected areas like face, laser toning is used. One of the most popular treatment methods used is Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser which involves using a pulse of light to reduce excess melanin in the skin. The intensity and number of setting of the laser therapy depends on an individual’s problem with melanin. These lasers help in removing the darkened layers of the skin.
  
  The duration of the laser therapy is also directly dependent on the area of the skin to be treated. For treating larger areas, more amount of time is required and vice versa. However, laser treatment is not for everyone and might have side effects like scarring, infection or discolouration. It is vital to consult a dermatologist before going for such medical procedures to fully understand the side effects and risks involved.
  
• Over the counter ointments or topical creams
  
  There are certain ointments available by prescription which aids in melanin reduction. Some of the key ingredients found in such topical creams are hydroquinone, vitamin C, azelaic acid, glycolic acid, kojic acid, retinoid etc. These tend to suppress the main enzyme needed for synthesis of melanin i.e. tyrosinase. This automatically yields a lighter skin tone. However, there are certain side effects seen with such skin lightening products like itchiness, dryness, redness, irritation etc.
  
• Melanin reduction pills
  
  Medicines containing glutathione help in exhibiting tyroscinase containing enzyme which aids in converting darker melanin to lighter melanin. It helps in lightening skin complexion. It also aids in providing antioxidants to the skin cells which reverses ageing. Not only is glutathione a chemical-free agent- but it also is found naturally in the liver- which makes it safe to consume. Natural sources of glutathrone include nuts, avocados, tomatoes, oranges etc.

How to Decrease Melanin Naturally

If you are one of those people who are apprehensive about using chemical treatments for your skin, there are several home remedies available to help lighten your skin tone. These home remedies reduce the melanin level along with improving the overall health of your body. However, these remedies work only temporarily so you need to use them routinely.

Turmeric

Curcumin- the active compound present in turmeric- can help in the reduction of melanin production by suppressing the enzyme tyrosinase.

Aloe vera gel

Regular use of aloe vera gel is said to lighten the skin and prevent the skin from harmful effects of sun exposure.

Lemon juice

Owing to the high amount of vitamin C content present in lemons, lemon juice can aid in melanin reduction. However, lemons can be a little harsh on the skin and should only be used after diluting them with water.

Green tea

Epigallocatechin gallate is a compound present in green tea which helps in preventing melanin production.

However, you should always stay away from home remedies that include the use of ammonia, hydrogen peroxide or bleach. These may lead to skin damage.

Tips to Reduce Excess Melanin In Skin

Even though the number of melanocytes in every individual is the same, there are certain tips that help in aiding melanin reduction.

• Include certain food items especially colour rich foods, in your diet like papaya, carrots, tomatoes, kiwi, spinach, watermelon etc along with items that are rich in vitamins and anti-oxidants.
• Drink a lot of water daily.
• Always apply a good quality sunscreen that has SPF 25 or above before going out. You should ideally always apply sunscreen 30 minutes before stepping out of your house to prevent UV exposure which in turn causes overproduction of melanin in the skin.
• Implement some multivitamins in your diet.
• Wear a broad brimmed hat or scarf to prevent tanning from the sun.

Where to Go

Labelle skin clinic is an individual’s first choice when it comes to getting their skin treated. We have skincare branches spread over South India where you can easily visit to get your skin treated. With the experience of 21 years in the field, qualified doctors, Labelle is the best choice when it comes to skin treatments like melanin reduction.

If you want to book your appointment at Labelle, you can call us on 0801-900-2020 or visit our website to get an online personal assistant to help cater to your needs. Call us today and get rid of all your skin problems forever.