What Is Tyrosinase Used for?

Tyrosinase is responsible for the first step in melanin production. It converts a protein building block (amino acid) called tyrosine to another compound called dopaquinone.

How is tyrosine converted to melanin?

Tyrosine is converted by the enzyme tyrosinase, activated by UVR, into dopaquinone. Dopaquinone itself can be converted into eumelanin or can be converted into dopachrome which is then converted into eumelanin. Dopaquinone can also be converted into cysteinyl-dopa, which is converted into pheomelanin.

What happens when tyrosinase is inhibited?

Using a Tyrosinase Inhibitor will help protect your skin and prevent you from forming hyperpigmentation and oftentimes hyperpigmentation is lying underneath the skin and will surface later-on in life. You can prevent this hyperpigmentation from happening or from surfacing altogether.