Indoor tanning provides a year-round, convenient, controlled environment for people of all types who want to enjoy the look and feel of a tan body. Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-20 is a topically active short peptide that exerts effective tanning without harmful UV irradiation. It has the sequence Myr-His-Phe-Arg-Trp and is known under the trade name DermaPep™ T430.
Many signaling pathways are known to upregulate tyrosinase activity and melanin production. Among these, a mechanism involving α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) has been shown to be the major pathway for skin pigmentation, with the added benefit of an anti-inflammatory effect.
Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-20, acting as an MC1R (receptor on the surface of melanocytes) agonist, activates certain genes involved in the process of pigmentation. Furthermore, it reduces UVB-induced inflammation, thereby providing a significant photoprotective effect.
Using a natural mechanism of skin-tanning response, Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-20 interacts with α-MSH receptors on melanocytes, resulting in a cAMP release and Tyrosinase enzyme (involved in melanogenesis) activation. In addition, it exhibits potent anti-inflammatory effects, protects the skin from UV exposure, and prevents skin cancer.
