🎓 What are Tyrosinase Inhibitors?

Tyrosinase Inhibitors (TI's) are topical or oral compounds that turn off the enzyme production of melanin (pigment) which is made from melanocytes (the pigmentation producing cells in the skin). They can be topical, meaning applied to the skin, or oral like a tablet.

Here are some good physician brand topical TI’s and my tips for successful use:

🌿 Vanish Serum from @Synergiepractitioner Range

Contains: niacinamide (Vitamin B3), tranexamic acid & peptides

Best for: sensitive skin, pregnant & breastfeeding women

How to use: twice daily, under SPF in AM

Combine with: vitamin C crystals in AM

🌿 Even Tone Correcting Serum from @SkinBetterScience

Contains: arbutin, hexylresorcinol & peptides.

Best for: more advanced pigmentation, those with a good skin barrier.

How to use: twice a day. For best results, follow with SPF in AM, + Alpha Duo ret in PM (do not use if pregnant/breastfeeding).

🌿 Dermamelan Treatment from @Mesoestetic

This is a doctor only, multitasking, well formulated cream (but expensive!). It contains azelaic acid, arbutin, kojic acid, licorice extract, phytic acid & salicylic acid

Best for: any type of pigmentation including melasma

How to use: for best results, follow with SPF in AM, + Alpha Duo ret in PM. Do not use if pregnant/breastfeeding.

🌿 Compounded Hydroquinone/modified Kligman's Formula

Prescribed by a doctor and compounded by a pharmacist.

🍃 Best for: resilient skin, melasma, darker skin types aiming to have a laser or heat based treatment.

🍃 How to use: at night only in the cooler months, for up to 4 months. You must use SPF in AM. See the Thrive website’s patient information sheets for more detail. This is a prescription medication and is definitely not suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding mums.

Suggested Routine

MORNING:

🍃Cleanse

🍃 Tyrosinase inhibitor (not hydroquinone) or antioxidant

🍃 Moisturiser - optional

🍃SPF protection: UberZinc

🍃 Makeup with solar protection e.g. Synergie Mineralwhip

EVENING:

🍃 Tyrosinase Inhibitor

🍃 Vitamin A/B (if not already on the TI formula)

🍃 Moisturiser

🍃 Exfoliant 1- 3 x a week e.g. oily skin- Skin Better Peel Pads. Finer skins should use Synergie X-fol (in AM) .

This regime is also appropriate to prepare skin for the month before IPL, Tixel, laser or a depigmentation peel such as Cosmelan or Dermamelan

SkinTips by @drjemimagrant