How melatonin interferes with your appearance over time –

Melatonin is a very important hormone – so much so that you may have heard about it. your relationship with sleep. However, its influence does not stop there and many studies show the relationship between melatonin and our appearance. Let’s understand better about this matter now.

WHAT IS MELATONIN?

According to Andrea Dario FriasPhD in nutrition and coordinator of the Sanavita Research Center, the Melatonin is a hormone produced at night by the pineal gland (which is located in the brain) and, to a lesser extent, by other tissues and cells.

FUNCTION OF MELATONIN

“Its best-known feature is regulating sleep by synchronizing the circadian rhythm, our internal clock,” she says. “The increase in melatonin concentrations in the circulation favors the state of drowsiness, preparing the body to sleep, as well as influencing the maintenance and quality of this sleep.”

Still according to the professional, the release of this hormone in the body begins 2 hours before the so-called “sleeping period” and reaches its peak between 3 and 4 am.

But melatonin’s influence doesn’t stop with our sleep. It is capable of modulating the secretion of other substances, such as cortisol, the famous stress hormoneand growth hormone, in addition to having a positive effect on the immune system, inflammation, having an antioxidant effect and protecting neurons.

THE MELATONIN VS. BEAUTY

– (Karolina Grabowska / Pexels/Disclosure)

Changes in the production of melatonin, in the long term, can cause alterations in skin permeability, a reduction in the strength of the most superficial layer of the skin, a decrease in healing speed and impairment of the innate immunity of our epidermis.

“Such changes favor the skin agingmaking it dull, dull and stimulating the appearance of dark circles and wrinkles”, he explains.

HOW TO AVOID IRREGULAR MELATONIN DAMAGE IN BEAUTY

Well, the easy answer is: sleeping. “Sleep is essential for cell repair. During sleep, the body repairs and renews cells and protects itself against other harmful exposures. This process is vital for maintaining the integrity and structure of the skin, as well as for recovering from damage caused by the action of ultraviolet rays.”

MELATONIN SUPPLEMENT: WHEN TO TAKE IT?

Considering the importance of sleep for beauty (and health!), one has to ask: can melatonin supplementation help? Andrea’s answer is “yes”.

In Brazil, the melatonin dosage approved by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) is quite low: 0.21 mg. Some studies show that people who consume between 0.1 and 0.3 mg will have a plasma concentration of melatonin in the range of 100 to 200 pg/mL, equivalent to the usual physiological concentrations of this hormone in the blood. All these difficult words mean that: yes, its consumption is safe.

Still, Dr. Andrea explains that, although safe, this dosage alone is not enough for melatonin to exert its benefits in the body. Therefore, associate it with other supplementssuch as magnesium, vitamin B6 and the amino acid tryptophan can bring better results. “these assets they are cofactor substances important for the production of various molecules that act on our nervous system, including serotonin and melatonin. Several studies show the role of these nutrients in the production of melatonin and its benefits for the body and mind”, he explains.

It is important to note that, in these cases, the melatonin supplement is only indicated for people with a deficiency of this hormone, as well as people who work very late or who need to wake up very early and feel trouble sleeping.

Another point of attention: its consumption is contraindicated for pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and people involved in activities that require constant attention, unless under medical guidance.

CREAM MELATONIN

There are other ways to consume melatonin these days. Did you know that it also appears in topical form, that is, those that we can apply to the skin, in the form of a cream or gel? “Melatonin has an antioxidant function and for topical use, it can be part, in combination with other actives, of treatments for melasma, combating skin aging and treating dullness and tiredness”, explains the dermatologist Dr. Juliana Neiva.