Scientists have invented "super melanin", which can prevent sunburn and accelerate skin healing

CTOnews.com Northwestern University researchers have successfully developed a new "super melanin" that can reduce or even prevent damage from ultraviolet radiation through experiments on laboratory mice and donated human skin samples.

The researchers say skin coated with the supermelanin, exposed to toxic chemicals and ultraviolet radiation, suffered little lasting damage.

Based on current laboratory conditions, this super melanin is very similar to natural melanin, meaning it is both biodegradable and non-toxic to skin. When it is applied, it does not appear to be absorbed by the body, reducing many potential safety risks, the researchers said.

While it has shown great promise, researchers say it could be months or even years before the synthetic melanin is commercially available.

Currently, researchers are busy conducting animal studies to further confirm the safety of the solution. However, if it goes as planned and future human trials are successful, the melanin treatment will continue to be scaled up and released fully publicly.

CTOnews.com attached reference paper address: Biyashev, D., Siwicka, Z.E., Onay, U.V. et al. Topical application of synthetic melanin promotes tissue repair. npj Regen Med 8, 61 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-023-00331-1