Many of us worry about how best protect to our skin from the sun. Especially as temperatures and UV rays increase each year. Each sunburn increases our risk of skin cancer and ages our skin. While sunscreen is an essential part of sun protection it still has its limitations and does not block out all UV rays. Countries like Australia and New Zealand have particularly high rates of UV radiation levels due to their proximity to the ozone hole over the Antarctic.
Now after almost 10 years of research, scientists at Northwestern University have come up with a potential solution. They have developed a synthetic melanin that can be used as a new kind of highly effective sunscreen booster and moisturizer. Melanin in humans and animals provides pigmentation to the skin, eyes, and hair. The substance protects cells from sun damage with increased pigmentation in response to sunlight.
The synthetic melanin mimics the natural melanin in human skin and can also be applied topically to heal skin injuries caused by sunburn and chemical burns. These effects occur both in the skin itself and systemically in the body. The scientists recently published their findings in Nature.
The technology works by scavenging free radicals, which are produced by injured skin. Left unchecked, free radical activity damages cells and ultimately may result in skin aging and skin cancer. The synthetic melanin can scavenge more radicals per gram compared to human melanin. The scientists modified the melanin structure to have a higher free radical scavenging capacity. Once applied to the skin, the melanin sits on the surface and is not absorbed into the layers below. The synthetic melanin stabilizes and sets the skin on a healing pathway, which is seen in both the top layers and throughout the body.
Dr. Kurt Lu, co-corresponding author of the study and a dermatologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, explained the importance of this discovery: “People don’t think of their everyday life as an injury to their skin. If you walk barefaced every day in the sun, you suffer a low-grade, constant bombardment of ultraviolet light. This is worsened during peak mid-day hours and the summer season. We know sun-exposed skin ages versus skin protected by clothing, which doesn’t show age nearly as much.”
He added that “all those insults to the skin lead to free radicals which cause inflammation and break down the collagen. That’s one of the reasons older skin looks very different from younger skin.”
The synthetic melanin cream was also discovered to calm the immune system by absorbing free radicals generated after an injury, reducing inflammation and promoting the skin’s healing process. The outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, communicates with the layers beneath, and by lowering destructive inflammation at the surface, the synthetic melanin helps the body heal more effectively.
The researchers carried out experiments involving chemical-induced blistering of human skin tissue samples, which exhibited separation of the upper skin layers. The application of the synthetic melanin cream led to an immune response, promoting healing and preserving healthy skin layers.
Beyond its implications for skincare, the synthetic melanin developed by Gianneschi and Lu also has potential applications in protecting individuals from toxins, including nerve gas and heavy metals.
The scientists are now focusing on clinical translation and efficacy trials of the synthetic melanin cream. In an initial trial, the cream was found to be non-irritating to human skin. This breakthrough may also pave the way for more effective treatments for skin burns caused by radiation exposure, offering hope to cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.
The synthetic melanin cream could potentially be used for blisters and open sores. The scientists are currently pursuing clinical translation and trial testing for the efficacy of the synthetic melanin cream. The promising work may well provide treatment options for cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.
The innovative “super melanin” cream could usher in a new era of skincare, providing a powerful tool for skin protection and recovery while also potentially extending its benefits to fields like military protection and environmental toxin absorption. The team’s work offers a bright prospect for healthier, more resilient skin in the future.
Read the full article here