Melanin is an integral part of our physiological integrity. It is the pigment responsible for the colour of our skin, hair, eyes, etc. Not just that, melanin also plays an integral role in shielding the skin against harsh and harmful UV rays.
If you’re wondering how to increase melanin naturally, there are a few methods to explore.
Whether you are suffering from vitiligo and looking for natural ways to boost melanin production or achieve more even-toned skin, there are a few different (and natural) ways to boost melanin in the body.
Be it with food, lifestyle or supplementation, this Kayakalp Global guide will look into all the best practices on how to increase melanin naturally.
What is Melanin, and Why is it Important?
Before we walk you through the few natural sources to boost melanin production in the body, understanding what melanin is and why it’s necessary for the body is vital.
Melanin, as we previously mentioned, is the pigment responsible for imparting the colour of our skin, eyes, hair, etc. It is produced by melanocytes, the cells found in skin, hair follicles and even your eyes.
It comes in two forms:
- Eumelanin: Responsible for brown and black hues.
- Pheomelanin: Gives a reddish-yellow pigment.
- The need for melanin runs deeper than the concept of imparting the colour of your skin. Melanin, in fact, has a lot of practical reasons for its existence, including:
- The biggest benefit of melanin is its ability to protect the skin from harmful UV rays and sunlight exposure.
- Due to its ability to shield the skin against UV damage, melanin reduces skin damage and slows the ageing process, which the UV rays usually expedite.
- Lastly, melanin also ensures the maintenance of even skin tone and texture.
Also Read: How To Reduce Melanin In Skin Naturally?
Top Ways to Increase Melanin Naturally
Melanin production is a relatively complex biochemical process that’s influenced by a lot of factors. Melanocytes, which are responsible for producing melanin, are often impaired in conditions like vitiligo, further halting the melanin production in the body.
In such cases, the lack of melanin contributes to visible white patches on the skin, which not only makes the skin vulnerable to UV damage and takes a toll on people’s emotional health.
To combat that and increase melanin production naturally, the following are a few tips to follow:
1. Incorporate Melanin-Boosting Foods into Your Diet
The best way to increase melanin in your body is through your diet. The foods you eat can stimulate melanocyte function and even prevent the destruction of the melanocytes due to autoimmunity.
Top foods to increase melanin naturally are scientifically proven to benefit melanin synthesis in the body.
Tyrosine-rich foods
Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid serving as a melanin synthesis precursor. Once ingested, tyrosine is converted into dopaquinone through the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase, which leads to melanin formation.
Food sources: Chicken, turkey, almonds, soy products, bananas, and avocados.
Vitamin C-rich foods
Another category of food you can consider adding to your diet is Vitamin C, which enhances tyrosinase activity and protects melanocytes from oxidative stress caused by UV exposure. Not just that, it also maintains skin health. Explore: The Science Behind Melanin and Skin Health.
Food sources: Oranges, kiwis, bell peppers, guavas, and strawberries.
Vitamin E-rich foods
Due to its antioxidative nature, Vitamin E protects the melanocytes from destruction, ensuring that the body’s immune system doesn’t impact melanin production. By shielding from free radical damage, consuming Vitamin E-rich foods ensures optimal pigment production.
Food sources: Sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, and avocado.
Copper-infused foods
Copper is a significantly less talked about mineral that has an integral role in boosting melanin production. It is a cofactor for tyrosinase, the enzyme that initiates melanin synthesis. Without sufficient copper, melanocytes cannot function efficiently.
Food sources: Shellfish, lentils, cashews, dark chocolate, and mushrooms.
Iron-rich foods
Last but not least is including iron-rich foods in your diet to improve melanin production. Since iron is responsible for oxygen transport, it plays an integral role in cellular functions, including melanocyte activity.
Also Read: Foods that increase melanin, How to maintain healthy melanin levels?
Food sources: Red meat, beans, fortified cereals, and leafy greens.
2. Hydration is a Necessity
Besides your diet, hydration also plays a significant role in maintaining the functionality of the melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for producing melanin. With optimal hydration, you have better skin elasticity as well.
Dehydrated skin can become more susceptible to damage from UV rays, indirectly affecting melanocyte health. So, depending on your physical health, you can drink between 2-3 litres of water every day to support overall skin health and promote pigment balance, too. Also Read: Melanin Rich Skincare Routine.
3. Soak Up the Sun: The Role of Sun Exposure in Melanin Production
While melanin is renowned for protecting the skin against UV damage, it is surprising that UV exposure is also one of the most effective ways to trigger melanin production. So, exposing your skin to the sun signals the melanocytes to produce more melanin as a “protective response.”
All that said, “too much exposure to the sunlight” isn’t great too. So, the key is to find balance and aim for 15-30 minutes of sun exposure daily during the non-peak hours (early morning or late afternoon). This prevents harmful UV damage but is enough to signal the melanocytes to produce melanin.
UV-B rays in sunlight penetrate the skin and activate melanogenesis, the process of melanin production. Overexposure, however, can damage melanocytes and increase the risk of skin cancer.
4. Herbs and Supplements for Melanin Production
Beyond all the different natural remedies for boosting melanin we have discussed till now, there is also a list of herbs and supplements that have proven beneficial in aiding melanin production, according to Ayurveda.
- Ginkgo Biloba enhances blood flow to the skin, ensuring melanocytes receive ample nutrients and oxygen. Studies have found that Ginkgo Biloba extracts can help manage depigmentation disorders like vitiligo.
- The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, is known to reduce inflammation and stimulate melanogenesis too. Also, if environmental stressors affect melanin production, this compound’s antioxidative properties rectify that well.
- Amla is a powerhouse of Vitamin C, which improves tyrosinase activity. If you have vitiligo or want to improve melanin production for an even skin tone, regular consumption of amla promotes better melanin distribution.
- Ashwagandha is known to balance hormones and reduce oxidative stress, indirectly supporting melanocyte health. High cortisol levels sometimes disrupt melanin production, which this herb can alleviate.
Also Read: Home Remedies For Vitiligo
5. Adopt a Stress-Free Lifestyle
While we are already experiencing stress and its disruption to physiological functions, you’d be surprised to know that it directly impacts melanocyte function and, in turn, melanin production.
Elevated cortisol levels due to stress can suppress melanogenesis, which explains the need for a stress-free lifestyle. You can implement stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, and mindfulness or pick up hobbies that resonate well with you.
Even journalling or nature walks are a great way to break out of the vicious stress cycle and decompress.
Also Read: The Impact of Genetics on Melanin Production
Say Goodbye to Vitiligo with Kayakalp Global!
Your struggles with depigmentation due to vitiligo come to an end here with us at Kayakalp Global. With an integrated approach that blends the power of Ayurveda and modern medicine, our vitiligo treatment is comprehensive and holistic.
Our specialists don’t just focus on symptom management but get to the root cause of the disease and treat it from there. With personalised consultations and treatment plans and our prescribed medications (topical and oral), you, too, can witness the beauty of repigmentation of the white patches on your skin. Explore: Melanin and Vitiligo: Natural Ways to Repigment Skin.
Your journey to a life free from the chains of Vitiligo starts here. Call us at +91-9599794433 or email us at [email protected] to book your consultation.
