What is Melanogen and melanin?

Melanogenesis is the complex process by which the pigment melanin is produced in melanosomes by melanocytes. There are two distinct types of melanin: black to brown eumelanin and yellow to reddish-brown pheomelanin. 142. The ratio of eumelanin to pheomelanin determines the color of the hair, skin, and eyes.

What is the meaning of melanogenesis?

Melanogenesis by definition is the production of the melanin pigments; these are most often produced by cells called melanocytes [1,2]. Melanocytes are dendritic cells of the neuroectoderm [1,3,4,5].

What is the main enzyme in melanogenesis?

Enzymes of melanogenesis Tyrosinase is a glycoprotein located in the melanossomal membrane, with an internal, a transmembrane, and a cytoplasmic domain. It is a copperdependent enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of Ltyrosine into L-DOPA, the rate-limiting stage in melanin synthesis (Figure 1).

What activates melanin?

Ultraviolet Radiation as a Regulator of Melanogenesis A major extrinsic regulator of melanogenesis is ultraviolet radiation (UVR), including UVA and UVB light. This is the main stimulus for melanin production, leading to induced pigmentation of the skin, or ‘tanning’.

Which chemical is responsible for skin whitening?

Hydroquinone is a commonly used agent in skin whiteners, though the European Union banned it from cosmetics in 2000. It works by decreasing melanin production. Tretinoin, also known as all-trans retinoic acid, may be used to whiten specific areas. It may be used in combination with steroids and hydroquinone.

What are eumelanin and pheomelanin?

Abstract. There are two types of melanin in mammals, the brownish black eumelanin and the reddish yellow pheomelanin. Eumelanin and pheomelanin are present in human hair and this study was carried out to see whether both pigments are also present in human epidermis.

Which chemical is responsible for skin-whitening?

What causes melanogenesis?

Exposure to UV-B radiation causes increased melanogenesis. The purpose of melanogenesis is to protect the hypodermis, the layer under the skin, from damage by UV radiation. The color of the melanin is black, allowing it to absorb a majority of the UV light and block it from passing through the epidermis.