A so-termed ‘super melanin’ has been developed to heals skin injuries from sunburn, chemical burns. This takes the form of a synthetic cream that additional also protects skin from sun damage. This synthetic, biomimetic melanin has been developed by scientists at Northwestern University. This material is in the form of a cream and it mimics the natural melanin in human skin.
The cream is applied topically to an area of damaged skin. The substance is non-toxic and it appears clear when rubbed on skin. When the cream is applied after damage has occurred, cream accelerates healing of the skin – a form of continuous repair. Other properties of the cream include it being biomimetic, biocompatible, and biodegradable.
What is melanin?
Melanin provides pigmentation to the skin, eyes and hair. The substance protects cells from sun damage with increased pigmentation in response to sunlight — a process commonly referred to as tanning. While this is a healing mechanism, sun-exposed skin ages versus skin protected by clothing. This is compounded by environmental pollution.
The generation of free radicals causes inflammation and the breakdown of collagen. In some cases this can lead to the development of cancer.
New technology
The cream was developed when scientists created the synthetic melanin engineered nanoparticles. For this, they modified the melanin structure to have higher free radical scavenging capacity. By calming the destructive inflammation at that surface, the body can begin healing instead of becoming even more inflamed.
The resultant synthetic melanin can scavenge more radicals per gram compared to human melanin. Studies showed the substance functions like an efficient sponge, removing damaging factors and protecting the skin. The synthetic melanin also stabilises and sets the skin on a healing pathway.
The biotechnology took ten years to develop, and it works by scavenging free radicals, which are produced by injured skin such as a sunburn. Left unchecked, free radical activity damages cells and this can result in skin aging and skin cancer.
It is hoped to eventually add the synthetic melanin cream to cosmetic products, so it functions as a sunscreen booster for added protection and as an enhancer in moisturizer to promote skin repair. In a different application it is also possible that the synthetic melanin could protect people from toxins including nerve gas.
The findings appear in the journal Nature npj Regenerative Medicine, with the study titled “Topical application of synthetic melanin promotes tissue repair”.
