Get your melanin on! Or away!

The importance of UV and free radical protection, and active tyrosinase inhibitors, help combat pigmentation during the winter (yes winter!) and warmer periods of the year. Why risk it when you can prevent it!

Why shouldn’t you? Why wear an SPF during the sunny spells but not in winter? SPF is one of the main key factors than help minimise numerous pigmentation conditions within the skin. Pigmentation conditions include PIH, melasma and hyper pigmentation. These occur for a number of reasons throughout peoples life times, and the main reason is UV damage.

When the UV rays hit our skin our epidermis (superficial layers of the skin) try to protect our skin (like how an umbrella would protect you from the rain) but amidst doing this the skins epidermis becomes damaged and looks dull. When this happens the melanocytes produce a enzyme known as melanin which changes the colour of our skin as a reinforcement protocol to further protect the skin from harm. During the process the UV rays start to damage the melanocytes as the epidermis has been compromised, and thus the process known as melanogenesis (conversion of melanin in the skin) is altered and over production in melanin starts to happen causing hyperpigmentation of the skin, which is usually in patches or spots depending on the over exposure of UV rays.

Pigmentation can in some cases usually eliminate itself but when the damage of UV rays has happened, its usually a life long condition that can be minimised and reduced but never eliminated.

SPF protects the skin from those harmful UV rays and help to minimise the risk of hyperpigmentation thus reducing the affects of long term damage to the skin. SPF also helps reduce 90% of skin ageing due to damage of collagen and elastin within the skin which allows our skin to stay plump!

So what actually is tyrosinase? Tyrosinase is an enzyme that converts into melanin through the process known as melanogenesis when the skin absorbs UV rays as a inflammatory response to the damage.

Tyrosinase inhibitors suppress and reduce the amount of tyrosinase converting into melanin and help to lighten the pigmentation to make it less noticeable. Although the pigmentation will always be somewhat there.

Alumier MD medical skin care offer a wide range of UV protectors, free radical neutralisers, skin brighteners and tyrosinase inhibitors that are packed into a few products for ease of use. See below a few products than can help;

Clear shield SPF 42 is one of The Parks Clinics favourites, which is 100% of mineral origin with 0 chemical filters. It offer a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to physically block UV rays from harming the skin.

Everactive C&E with peptides is a potent, clinically validated, antioxidant serum to reduce the visible signs of ageing. A unique delivery system ensures the 15% vitamin C complex is always optimally active. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that neutralises free radicals while brightening the skin.

Intallebright is a hydraquine free, intense brightening serum that brightens the skin and reduces un even skin tone with several active and clinically tested ingredients including kojic acid, arbutin, white shitake mushroom and more! This powerful serum helps inhibit tyrosinase.

Eventone is also a hydraquine free, light serum that naturally brightens the skin and reduces un even skin tone. Filled with peptides, antioxidants and natural skin brighteners to help restore an even complexion.

Retinol resurfacing serum is a micro-encapsulated complex that contains a Vitamin A derivative in an all potent retinol formulation. This noticeably helps with uneven tone and texture and acts as a tyrosinase inhibitor to reduce pigmentation with an added bonus of being one of the only clinically proven ingredients to reduce fine lines and wrinkles with the aid of producing collagen and elastin.

Want to find out more on how The Parks Clinics can aid further with skin care advice, contact us: