Melatonin in Dermatologic Allergic Diseases and Other Skin Conditions: Current Trends and Reports
February 2023
in “
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
”
TLDR Melatonin, the sleep hormone, can help treat skin conditions like dermatitis, hyperpigmentation, and scalp disorders, and may also aid in skin aging prevention and regeneration. However, it's not recommended for asthma due to its pro-inflammatory effect.
Melatonin, a hormone primarily known for regulating sleep, has potential therapeutic uses in dermatology due to its antioxidant, cytoprotective, immunomodulatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. It has shown positive results in treating atopic dermatitis, hyperpigmentation disorders, and scalp disorders like androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium. Melatonin can also be used for photoprotection, skin aging prevention, and skin regeneration. It has potential therapeutic applications in oral cavity diseases like periodontitis, reducing pocket depth and clinical loss of attachment. However, its use is not recommended for bronchial asthma due to its pro-inflammatory effect. Despite its potential, melatonin has not yet become a mainstay in dermatological therapy, and more research is needed to further understand its role in dermatology.