Can you really increase Melanin in the skin?

Melanin is a skin pigment found in both humans and animals that is responsible for making hair, skin and eyes appear darker. Research has found that melanin can help protect the skin from UV rays. Increased melanin can also help stop processes that lead to skin cancer.
Studies have also shown a lower incidence of skin cancer in people with darker skin and in non-whites with more melanin. However, we still need more research to be certain that an increase in melanin is the main reason for the reduced risk of skin cancer.

People of any skin type can have increased melanin pigmentation to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Studies show that increasing intake of certain nutrients can increase melanin levels, and it can even increase melanin levels in fair-skinned people.

There are no direct studies demonstrating how to increase melanin pigmentation. However, many nutrients are thought to promote melanin production to improve overall skin health and possibly reduce the risk of developing skin cancer in particular.

Nutrients are the key to naturally increasing melanin in the skin. Here are some nutrients that can help the body produce more melanin.
Antioxidants Antioxidants are substances with the strongest potential to increase melanin in the skin. While more research and higher-quality testing is needed to prove this, some studies have also suggested that antioxidants may be helpful in boosting melanin production.
Micronutrients such as flavonoids or plant polyphenols act as powerful antioxidants and can affect melanin production. Some of them increase the pigment melanin. Eat plenty of antioxidant-rich foods like dark green leafy vegetables, dark berries, dark chocolate, and colorful vegetables for more antioxidants. Taking vitamin and mineral supplements can also be helpful in increasing the amount of melanin in the body
Vitamin A Studies also show that vitamin A is important for melanin production and necessary for healthy skin. strong. The body can absorb vitamin A from food, especially vegetables that contain beta carotene such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and peas.
Because vitamin A also functions as an antioxidant, some researchers believe that vitamin A may be the key to melanin production. However, more research is still needed to prove that vitamin A increases melanin pigmentation in humans. For now, claims that vitamin A increases melanin levels still require scientific evidence. But some research has suggested that taking vitamin A (specifically retinol) can be good for skin health. Also according to the study, a carotenoid (the substance that gives vegetables their red, yellow and orange colors) found in vitamin A may play a role in melanin production and UV protection.

You can increase your vitamin A intake by eating more vitamin A rich foods like carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, fish and meat. Taking a vitamin A supplement also offers similar benefits. Since vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, it can build up in the body. The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends a daily intake of vitamin A of 700 mcg for women and 900 mcg for men. Children need less vitamin A than adults. Pregnant women should never exceed the daily dose of Vitamin A, as it can be dangerous to the unborn baby.
Vitamin E Vitamin E is an important vitamin for skin health and it is also an antioxidant and can increase the amount of melanin in the body. Although no studies have proven a direct link between vitamin E and increased melanin production, some studies suggest that vitamin E may help protect skin from sun damage. The body gets more vitamin E by taking supplements or eating more foods rich in vitamin E like vegetables, whole grains, seeds, and nuts.
Vitamin C Like vitamins A and E, vitamin C is also an antioxidant. Vitamin C is needed for healthy mucous membranes, it may also have some impact on melanin production and skin protection. There aren't any studies that prove vitamin C increases melanin production. However, vitamin C is still considered to be able to increase melanin levels. For a vitamin C boost, you can eat foods rich in vitamin C like citrus, berries, and green leafy vegetables that can optimize melanin production. Taking a vitamin C supplement has a similar effect.

Herbs and plants Several studies have explored the potential benefits of herbs and teas in protecting skin from UV damage. Herbal products such as green tea and turmeric are rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, which can increase pigmentation and may help protect the skin.
So far there have been no studies to prove that herbs have the effect of increasing melanin production in the skin. However, if you want to try herbs to support healthy skin, you can find these herbs in supplements like teas and essential oils. Essential oils are not designed to be taken orally. They are diffused into the air as aromatherapy or diluted in oils and massaged on the skin.
Some studies have suggested that there may be several ways to increase melanin pigmentation. Although these findings have not been fully proven, taking antioxidants and vitamin A is the most likely way to do this. Studies show that eating healthy foods or taking supplements containing certain vitamins and antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E can help you take care of your skin and reduce your risk of skin cancer. However, it has not been proven whether any vitamins or nutrients reliably increase melanin pigmentation. The only proven way to prevent skin cancer is to avoid excessive sun exposure and use a high-quality sunscreen.

Reference source: healthline.com