The pigment that gives the skin its color (melanin), its types and problems

The pigment that gives the skin its color is called melanin, which is produced in the melanocytes, which gives the skin its color, hair and eyes, and through it we notice the gradation of colors between intense whiteness to intense tan and the degrees between them.

These gradations are according to the amount of concentration of this pigment, brown skin means that there is more melanin pigment than white or light skin, and pigment cells are found all over the body, but the pigment that gives the skin its distinctive color is melanin, on which the skin color is determined by its degrees by the effect of an increase or Melanin deficiency.

Types of pigment that give skin its color (melanin)

• Eumelanin

It is what gives the skin color in general the predominant color of tan or whiteness in the rest of the body, face, hair and eyes.

• pheomelanin

It is responsible for the pink color of some areas such as the nipples and lips.

• Neuromelanin

It is responsible for the color of the inner skin and nerve cells.

Problems with the pigment that gives the skin its color (melanin)

The melanin pigment usually has problems related to the amount of excess secretion or the lack of this secretion, there are many diseases that arise as a result of the increase in the proportion of melanin pigment in the skin and others arise due to the lack of secretion and this leads to a defect that leads to the infection of some diseases, including

next one :

• melasma
  Melasma appears on the skin of the face in the form of brown spots and pigmentation, and this is due to imbalances in the secretion of melanin pigment or due to factors of direct exposure to sunlight for a long time.
• vitiligo
  When vitiligo occurs, it is because the body loses some of the pigment cells that produce the melanin pigment. This causes the appearance of light spots that cover different areas of the body and face. This is called vitiligo and needs special treatment.
• Leprosy disease
  The disease is caused by a severe deficiency in the production of melanin in the body, which leads to the appearance of a person in a very light white, eyes, eyelashes, and light hair. In this case, he must avoid sunlight, which may lead to skin cancer.
• Parkinson's disease
  This disease occurs as a result of a deficiency of a specific type of cell in the brain that produces the neuronal pigment melanin and occurs with the elderly.
   
• Weakness and loss of hearing
  The lack of melanin pigment production in the body may lead to a loss of hearing, although it is not yet clear the relationship between the lack of a certain type of melanin and the lack of levels of hearing quality that may lead to its loss.

The benefits of the dye that gives the skin its color

• Protects the skin from sunlight and UV rays.
• It is a protective and protective factor against skin cancer.
• Protects the skin from damage from external factors and influences.

Ways to increase the pigment that makes the skin color

• Due to the importance and benefits of the melanin pigment in the skin, many advise trying to increase the production of melanin in the skin in natural ways by eating substances that contribute to increasing melanin production, including the following:
• Herbs and plants that contribute to increasing the pigment and must be eaten and put in food in abundance, such as green tea and turmeric, as they help increase the levels of melanin pigment in the skin.
• Vitamin A, which helps in the strength, freshness and luster of the skin, and also helps to increase the secretion of melanin in the body.
• Eat fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin A, such as carrots, spinach, and potatoes, as well as include meats such as fish and meat in the diet.
• It is recommended to take nutritional supplements that contain vitamin A, and all nutritional supplements that support the production of melanin pigment and work to increase it, and that contain vitamins.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C helps to give higher levels of melanin secretion, so you should take nutritional supplements that contain multiple vitamins and are rich in vitamin C in particular.
• Pay attention to eating natural foods, fruits and vegetables that contain vitamins such as green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and berries.
• Vitamin E is one of the best and most important vitamins that the skin needs and contributes to its beauty, freshness and purity of color. It is found in nuts, grains and seeds. At the same time, it also helps to increase the percentage of melanin pigment in the skin.
• Take vitamins through nutritional supplements in addition to eating it in food.

What is the vitamin responsible for melanin pigment?

Sometimes there is a shortage of the melanin pigment in the hair, which leads to premature graying at an advanced age or in a young age, and there are very important vitamins that are responsible for the melanin pigment, and when their deficiency occurs in the body, the levels of secretion of this pigment may decrease, which leads to the emergence of problems There are several, including the appearance of white hair at a young age or the appearance of spots and pigmentation in the skin. For these vitamins, they are vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 because vitamin B12 supports the production of red blood cells, which helps to have healthy and strong hair and contributes to controlling the level of melanin pigment for its production in a way. Perfect for the body.

Problems with increasing melanin pigment

Some problems also occur as a result of the increased secretion of the pigment that gives the skin its color (melanin). One of these problems is the appearance of brown spots significantly on the face and body.

Dark spots, especially during pregnancy, small and large spots, eczema and acne, all of these problems are due to the increase in the proportion of melanin, which is a strong factor in its appearance and the direct cause of the increase in melanin pigment

What leads to the occurrence of these problems is exposure to a large and direct for long hours to sunlight, ultraviolet rays or heat and high temperature, also causes hormonal imbalance and problems in hormone secretion at the time of pregnancy and during pregnancy or in adolescence This leads to an increase in the proportion of melanin pigment secretion And also the occurrence of infections because inflammation leads to stimulating the melanin pigment, which increases its secretion, and the skin turns into a dark color, which leads to the appearance of some dark spots and pigmentation, and it may last for long periods that need treatment and care.

Treatment of increased pigment that gives the skin its color

Some people need to treat the increased secretion of the melanin pigment, which leads to the emergence of symptoms, including spots and pigmentation, so how are the spots and pigmentation treated, as well as the discoloration of the skin in brown after long exposure to the sun, especially during work times or during summer times, the entire skin color may change to a darker color and need treatment

There are many treatment options, such as skin-lightening creams that contain hydroquinone and vitamin B3 or licorice extract. These lightening creams are largely safe on the skin and reduce the production of melanin.

There is also treatment by peeling with acids such as:

Hydroxy acid, kojic acid, and vitamin C, it is also possible to treat with formulations containing vitamin A significantly, as it contributes to the regeneration of body cells and the elimination of increased melanin secretion. Photodynamic and intense pulse are all modern techniques that have proven results and safety for the skin and are used by a specialist doctor.

Tips to prevent an increase in melanin pigment

It is recommended to get rid of the effects of the increased secretion of melanin in the skin, as the skin color changes to a dark color or to a brown color. There are many tips that prevent this increase and this effect on the skin, the most important of which are:

• Full protection from the sun's rays by wearing cotton clothes.
• Wear head coverings with great attention to the use of sunscreens with a high protection factor, taking care to renew the application of the cream every two hours.
• Avoid direct exposure for long times under direct sunlight.