The color of the skin and our hair depends on a specific substance called melanin; in turn, those responsible for secreting this substance in the body are called melanocytes. These are located in greater or lesser proportion according to the person’s ethnicity, thus defining the color and tone of their skin.
Melanin is produced naturally in the body. Its primary function is the protection of UV rays and free radicals on the skin, absorbing them and giving a darker tone through their synthesis. There are many ways to help stimulate melanin production, either to treat a disease related to melanin levels or to enhance its protective function.
In this FastlyHealarticle, we will talk about this topic, explaining how to produce melanin in the body naturally. Continue reading!
Table of Contents
What is melanin, and what is it for?
Melanin is the pigment responsible for the color of the skin and hair produced naturally by the body through melanogenesis. This is explicitly done in the pilosebaceous follicle and epidermis.
According to their genetic characteristics, human beings have a greater or lesser proportion of melanin levels in the skin.
The primary function of melanin is to act as a filter, absorbing ultraviolet rays and transforming them into heat. This way, it prevents ultraviolet rays from penetrating directly into the skin; consequently, it tans. This protective action also prevents:
- Loss of elasticity of the skin.
- The appearance of wrinkles.
- The appearance of fine lines on the skin
- Precocious aging of the skin.
As melanin acts protectively and is found in addition to the skin, in the hair, and the iris, people with light-toned eyes are much more sensitive to UV rays due to the lower amount of melanin they have. Melanin thus represents an essential substance for the body.
lack of melanin
Several situations are reflected in inadequate production of melanin:
- As people age, there is a loss or decrease of melanin in people; for example, when hair lacks pigment, it turns grayish, thus becoming gray.
- When there is a lack of melanin in the skin due to the inability of the melanocytes to produce this pigment, typically, spots may appear.
- When this substance is absent in the skin, albinism occurs. The Latin American Albinism Organization states that at least 1 in 17,000 people in the US has albinism; in Nordic countries, 1 in 10,000 is reached.
- Another disorder associated with the lack of melanin is vitiligo, which occurs due to an inability of melanocytes to produce this pigment.
- The color of the eyes will also depend on the proportion of melanin; light eyes, such as blue and gray, and green have a minor balance of melanin.
How to Produce Melanin in the Body Naturally
Although melanin occurs naturally in the body, some foods can help increase melanin by increasing its production.
These foods are always at your fingertips and allow you to improve the function of melanin, either to have a tanned skin tone through its protective and filter activity or to treat a disease influenced by melanin levels.
Carrot
With a high beta-carotene content and, in turn, vitamin A, this food increases and stimulates melanin production and, consequently, enhances tanning. Eat this food day before the tan if you want this to happen. Also, carrots stimulate the formation of retinal pigments.
Tomatoes
Like the carrot, the tomato is rich in beta-carotene; its consumption stimulates melanin synthesis in the organism obtaining similar effects on the skin.
This group of foods that contain a high proportion of beta-carotene can include strawberries, apricots, blueberries, watermelon, and pumpkin. The latter can be consumed in different ways to obtain an optimal result in tanning the skin; it can be in cream or salads.
Cantaloupe
On the other hand, vitamin E also favors melanin production in addition to vitamin A. Melon is a fruit composed of both vitamins, ideal for increasing melanin levels in the body, promoting skin tanning, and preventing the aging of cells.
Fish
Other foods that can increase melanin production in the body are fish, such as tuna and salmon. In addition to this, both are natural sources of vitamin D and E, ideal for protecting the skin from all the adverse effects to which it is exposed.
Yolk
Another effective natural product to increase melanin production is egg yolk, as it has a high level of vitamin E.
Other foods that activate melanin
There are other foods that you can consume daily and that, due to their nutritional composition, help to produce melanin naturally.
Foods with vitamin A
- Radish
- Lettuce
- Chicory
- Peppers
- Celery
- Peach
- Cherry
In addition to containing high amounts of carotenoids, they are rich in vitamin D, E, and B6, effective for skin health.
Alimentos with vitamin E
As we have mentioned, in addition to foods containing vitamin A, those containing vitamin E favor the natural production of melanin. These are antioxidants and cancel the effect of free radicals on the skin, keeping it healthy. This vitamin is found in:
- Wheat oil
- Sunflower oil
- Soy oil
- Olive oil
- Corn oil
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Pinions
- Peanuts
- Kiwi
- Mango
- Avocados
- Plums
Foods with vitamins B and D
Likewise, for the increase in melanin production, foods containing vitamins B and D. are essential. The first is present in legumes, eggs, brewer’s yeast, chicken, and vitamin D in oily fish.
Tyrosine foods
Tyrosine is an amino acid that also interferes with the production and synthesis of melanin. It is present in whole grains, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, watercress, parsley, bananas, watermelon, avocado, apple, corn, and dairies such as milk, cheese, and yogurt.
Other tips for producing melanin
- The consumption of some supplements that contain any of the vitamins mentioned above allows for naturally stimulating melanin production. This is also possible with accessories such as ginkgo Biloba and L-Tyrosine. However, any of them must be indicated by a medical specialist.
- On the other hand, some creams and lotions stimulate melanin synthesis, but it is best that before using them, the dermatologist indicates the right product for your skin.
- Another way to activate melanin production is through sun exposure. However, the ideal is to avoid overexposure to UV rays between 12 noon and 4 in the afternoon. You must always sunbathe safely by using sunscreens that prevent the appearance of spots and premature aging of the skin.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to How to produce melanin in the body , we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair and nails category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.