How inhibiting tyrosinase even tones skin and heals acne scars?
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Introduction
Acne scars are a prevalent skin condition in youth all around the globe. For some, it even continues to happen in their adulthood. The scarring is called Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation. The cause of it is due to the excessive production of melanin in the skin. Melanin protects the skin from UV rays and gives a natural color to your eyes, hair, and skin; excessive production can lead to tan, dark spots, and pigmented patches.
What is Tyrosinase?
Tyrosinase is the enzyme that causes melanin production by oxidizing Tyrosine, an amino acid. Melanocytes, pigment-producing cells, act as home to these enzymes. Tyrosinase is responsible for controlling and regulating the production of melanin. It protects the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet light when it is exposed to it. Tyrosinase transfers melanin pigment to the skin’s surface, which in turn causes darkening and acts as a protective barrier.
Similarly, when a person is suffering from acne, the skin cells get damaged by the inflammation of pimples. Tyrosinase enzymes send excessive amounts of Tyrosine, overproducing pigment, which appears as an acne scar.
What is a melanin inhibitor?
There are several categories of darkness-reducing ingredients, including melanin inhibitors. These are skin pigmenting inhibitors. Tyrosinase inhibitors are the most common type of Melanin inhibitors, as Tyrosine is the primary ingredient responsible for producing melanin. Almost every cosmetic product claiming to lighten the skin tone contains at least one of the tyrosinase inhibitors.
Sources of Tyrosinase.
Tyrosinase is a melanin-controlling enzyme that helps purify wastewater through its activities. It is used in multiple beauty, pharmaceutical, and biochemical industries. Various microorganisms produce Tyrosinase, like bacteria and fungi. Some plants and animals also act as a source of this enzyme. Some insects and plants also use the enzyme to boost their healing abilities.
Mushrooms are a great source of Tyrosinase. It is noticeable that mushrooms turn dark brown when left untouched for days. It is due to the presence of excessive Tyrosinase enzyme. At least ten tyrosinase isoforms can be found in mushrooms used in the skin and beauty industries. Agaricus Bisporus is the king among the most effective tyrosinase-producing mushrooms.
How does inhibiting tyrosinase lighten skin color?
Tyrosinase inhibitors are chemicals obtained from natural sources that hinder the production of melanin, reducing skin pigmentation. These chemicals block Tyrosinase from oxidizing the amino acid, Tyrosine, which is the crucial ingredient for the formation of melanin in the melanosome.
The beauty industries use these to treat all kinds of pigmentation conditions, including hyperpigmentation, tanning, pimple inflammations, and other similar issues. However, melanin production cannot be inhibited for a genetically dark complexioned skin tone. Tyrosinase inhibitors only work on excessive melanin production due to external factors like acne scars, ultraviolet light damage, etc. Regular use of skin-lightening products for inhibiting Tyrosinase is not a good idea. Therefore, it must be put to break for at least three to four months now and then.
What are the different types of Tyrosinase inhibitors?
Azelaic Acid: This particular type of inhibitor is the best remedy to treat conditions like Melasma and inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused due to pimples and acne. Azelaic acid is obtained from plant sources like wheat, barley, and rye.
Kojic acid: The sources of Kojic acid are traced back to various fungi. It is extensively used in skin care products meant for skin lightening. It gets absorbed deep into the layers of skin and blocks tyrosinase activity, which prohibits melanin production.
Retinoids: In simple terms, retinoids are the relatives of Vitamin A and are considered the best to treat acne and aging symptoms. It helps to treat fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production in the skin cells, which speeds up the skin cells’ regeneration process. Regular retinoids can heal tanning due to sun damage, acne, premature aging, and acne scars and enhance skin tone. It also prevents any further breakouts by unclogging the pores.
Licorice Extract: Licorice extract, also known as Glycyrrhiza glabra, is another plant-sourced tyrosinase inhibitor. It is obtained from the roots of the Glycyrrhiza plant. It has microbial properties and is popular in the skincare industry. It is extensively used in beauty products to lighten the skin by restricting melanin production.
Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone is considered the favorite and most influential in inhibiting Tyrosinase by skincare experts. Unlike other inhibitors, it does not just block the production of melanin but works by decreasing the number of melanocytes. Though Hydroquinone is exceptionally effective in skin lightening, you must use it only after consulting a doctor.
Vitamin C: It can easily be obtained from any citrus fruit. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps in inhibiting Tyrosinase by keeping it from getting oxidized into melanin. It helps in treating dark spots and is used in multiple skin care products. Coconut age corrective moisturizer contains Vitamin C, helps treat aging symptoms, and brings back the youthful radiance to your skin.
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