Amino Acids Articles

The amino acid, tyrosine, is a crucial part of the indoor tanning process. Your body forms this amino acid by breaking down proteins from your diet. This amino acid is then further decomposed by the enyzme tryosinase that is formed by melanin-producing skin cells known as melanocytes. This reaction converts tyrosine into a chemical called DOPA. DOPA further reacts to the UV light, forming Dopaquinone which then forms different types of melanin. (Pheomelanin is yellow-red and Eumelanin is black-brown.) This chemical chain reaction is triggered when your skin surface is exposed to Ultraviolet rays such as through sun exposure. And thus, you have your tan.