Dermatol. praxi. 2024;18(2):97-104 | DOI: 10.36290/der.2024.019

Pharmacological treatment of hyperpigmentation

MUDr. Elizabeth Pavlíčková, Ph.D.
Elizabeth Beauty Clinic, Praha

Skin pigmentation is the result of melanin produced by melanocytes in the epidermis. The activity of melanocytes, together with the type and distribution of melanin, is a major factor influencing the diversity of skin pigmentation. Dark melanin acts as protection against the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, including photoaging and skin cancer. UV radiation, in turn, activates skin melanocytes to induce further pigmentation (i.e., the "tanning pathway"). The well-characterized MSH/MC1R-cAMP-MITF pathway regulates UV-induced melanogenesis. Pharmacological activation of this pathway (i.e. "sunless tanning") represents a potential strategy for skin cancer prevention, especially in light-skinned or phototype I individuals who tan poorly after UV exposure due to inactivating MC1R polymorphisms. Hyperpigmentation can also occur due to inflammatory processes and dermatological disorders such as melasma. Hyperpigmentation disorders such as melasma, post-inflammatory pigmentary changes and lentigo are significant cosmetic problems for people of different ethnicities. Natural ingredients are gaining popularity as alternative, safe and effective topical depigmenting agents. In this article, we discuss melanogenesis and agents that target this pathway.

Keywords: skin pigmentation, melanin, melanocytes, epidermis, UV radiation, melasma, hyperpigmentation, depigmenting agents.

Accepted: May 29, 2024; Published: June 3, 2024  Show citation

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Pavlíčková E. Pharmacological treatment of hyperpigmentation. Dermatol. praxi. 2024;18(2):97-104. doi: 10.36290/der.2024.019.
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