The Truth About Tranexamic Acid Serum
Summary
TLDRThis video script delves into the efficacy of tranexamic acid in skincare, particularly for melasma and hyperpigmentation. It explains how this synthetic lysine derivative, traditionally used to stop bleeding, can reduce pigmentation by inhibiting UV-induced inflammation. The script reviews various clinical studies on topical formulations, highlighting variable results and the importance of formulation for penetration. It also discusses additional benefits like improved barrier function and reduced redness, suggesting tranexamic acid's potential as a cost-effective, soothing, and multifaceted skincare ingredient.
Takeaways
- 🧪 Tranexamic acid is a synthetic derivative of lysine, an amino acid, used since the 1960s to stop bleeding and treat conditions like menaga and melasma.
- 💊 When taken orally, tranexamic acid is effective in treating melasma, a skin condition characterized by hyperpigmentation and abnormal blood vessel formation due to hormonal and UV exposure.
- 🌞 The drug works against melasma by inhibiting the activation of plasminogen in keratinocytes, which is triggered by UV exposure and leads to increased pigment production.
- 🧴 Topical application of tranexamic acid in skincare products has shown variable results in clinical studies, suggesting that the formulation and concentration are crucial for effectiveness.
- 🔬 Tranexamic acid's polar nature raises questions about its ability to penetrate the skin effectively, which may limit its impact on hyperpigmentation when applied topically.
- 🛠️ Multiple clinical studies have tested different formulations of topical tranexamic acid, with varying results, indicating that the formulation plays a significant role in its effectiveness.
- 🌈 Tranexamic acid may also improve skin barrier function and reduce redness, offering benefits beyond hyperpigmentation, such as relief for conditions like rosacea.
- 🛑 The treatment of melasma and hyperpigmentation typically requires a multi-modal approach, combining various topical ingredients and treatments to target different aspects of pigmentation.
- 💡 Tranexamic acid's role in skincare is not limited to pigment reduction; it also has anti-inflammatory properties and may improve overall skin radiance and evenness.
- 💡 Sun protection is essential for managing melasma and preventing the recurrence of hyperpigmentation, as UV rays are a significant contributing factor.
- 🛒 There are several skincare products on the market containing tranexamic acid, such as the Polish Choice discoloration Repair Serum and the minimalist 3% tranexamic acid serum, which also contain other beneficial ingredients like niacinamide and mandelic acid.
Q & A
What is Tranexamic Acid?
-Tranexamic acid is a synthetic lysine derivative, an amino acid, which has been used for decades since the 1960s to stop bleeding. It's often used to treat menaga (heavy periods) and hyperpigmentation conditions like melasma.
How does Tranexamic Acid work for melasma?
-Tranexamic acid works for melasma by targeting plasminogen in keratinocytes at the bottom layer of the epidermis. It prevents the release of inflammatory mediators triggered by UV exposure, which leads to increased melanogenesis and hyperpigmentation.
What is the role of plasminogen in the context of melasma?
-Plasminogen is a target for tranexamic acid in keratinocytes. Its activation by UV exposure leads to the release of inflammatory mediators, which in turn trigger an increase in melanogenesis and hyperpigmentation.
Are there any clinical studies on the topical application of Tranexamic Acid for skin conditions?
-Yes, there are several clinical studies examining different formulations of topical tranexamic acid, such as 3% cream, 5% gel, and 3% solution, applied for 12 weeks each. The results vary, with some showing promise for improving melasma and others showing no effect.
How important is the formulation of topical Tranexamic Acid products?
-The formulation is crucial because the structure of tranexamic acid is polar, and it may not reach a meaningful concentration in the skin without proper formulation, which could affect its effectiveness in suppressing UV-mediated pigment production.
Can Tranexamic Acid improve skin conditions other than hyperpigmentation?
-Yes, Tranexamic acid can improve barrier function and has been examined for conditions like rosacea, offering symptomatic relief for sensitivity, redness, and burning. It also inhibits angiogenesis, reducing abnormal blood vessel formation and facial redness.
What is the difference between skin lightening and skin brightening?
-Skin lightening refers to a reduction in melanin pigment, while skin brightening is an overall improvement in skin radiance and luminosity, which can result from better barrier function, moisturization, and a reduction in inflammation leading to redness.
How does Tranexamic Acid affect the skin's barrier function?
-Tranexamic acid can improve the skin's barrier function by inhibiting PAR-2, which helps in reducing sensitivity and irritation, and can be beneficial for conditions like rosacea and melasma by limiting the penetration of irritating substances.
What are some of the products available in the market that contain Tranexamic Acid?
-There are products like the Polish Choice Discoloration Repair Serum with 3% tranexamic acid and 5% niacinamide, and the Minimalist 3% Tranexamic Acid Serum with mandelic acid and other ingredients to improve skin tone and address hyperpigmentation.
What are some considerations when using topical Tranexamic Acid for skin care?
-It's important to set realistic expectations, as topical tranexamic acid may not be a one-size-fits-all solution. It shows promise but requires more research. It's generally well-tolerated and may play a supporting role in a multi-modal approach to treating skin conditions like melasma and rosacea.
Why is sun protection important when dealing with skin conditions like melasma and rosacea?
-Sun protection is crucial because UV rays are a significant contributing factor to these conditions. They can drive issues like hyperpigmentation and inflammation, worsening or causing the recurrence of conditions like melasma, rosacea, and post-acne marks.
Outlines
🧪 Tranexamic Acid in Skincare: Myth or Reality?
This paragraph delves into the efficacy of tranexamic acid in skincare, questioning its legitimacy and discussing its chemical nature and medical history. Tranexamic acid, a synthetic derivative of lysine, has been used since the 1960s to manage bleeding conditions like menaga. It's also been found to treat melasma, a skin condition characterized by hyperpigmentation, by addressing the hormonal and UV-induced triggers that cause pigment production. The paragraph explains the mechanism by which tranexamic acid works in the skin, focusing on its interaction with keratinocytes and plasminogen, and its potential to reduce inflammation and pigmentation. Clinical studies with varying results are mentioned, emphasizing the importance of formulation for effective topical application.
🌿 Beyond Pigment Reduction: Tranexamic Acid's Broader Benefits
The second paragraph expands on the potential benefits of topical tranexamic acid beyond hyperpigmentation. It discusses the compound's ability to improve skin barrier function, particularly for conditions like rosacea, by inhibiting PAR-2 and reducing inflammation. The paragraph also touches on the importance of addressing skin redness and barrier health in conjunction with pigmentation issues for a more comprehensive skincare approach. A case study is highlighted, demonstrating significant improvements in facial redness using a DIY 10% tranexamic acid solution, suggesting its potential as a cost-effective treatment option.
🛡️ Tranexamic Acid as a Skincare Ingredient: Considerations and Options
This paragraph explores the role of topical tranexamic acid in skincare routines, emphasizing its potential to soothe irritation and redness associated with conditions like rosacea and post-acne marks. It discusses the importance of formulation and tolerance, suggesting that tranexamic acid may be a viable option for those seeking to improve skin radiance and evenness. The paragraph also mentions the synergistic effects of combining tranexamic acid with other ingredients like niacinamide and antioxidants, which can enhance its benefits. Two specific products are reviewed, illustrating the availability and potential applications of topical tranexamic acid in skincare.
🌟 Setting Realistic Expectations for Topical Tranexamic Acid
The final paragraph focuses on setting realistic expectations for the use of topical tranexamic acid. It acknowledges the need for more research but recognizes the ingredient's potential as a supporting therapy for conditions like melasma and rosacea. The importance of a multi-modal approach to treating these chronic skin conditions is stressed, along with the necessity of ongoing skin protection, particularly from UV rays. The paragraph concludes by reiterating the importance of sun protection and the role of tranexamic acid as part of a comprehensive skincare regimen.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Tranexamic Acid
💡Hyperpigmentation
💡Melasma
💡Keratinocytes
💡Plasminogen
💡Inflammatory Mediators
💡Melanogenesis
💡Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
💡Clinical Studies
💡Formulation
💡Barrier Function
💡Anti-inflammatory
💡Niacinamide
Highlights
Tranexamic acid is a synthetic lysine derivative historically used to stop bleeding and treat heavy periods.
When taken orally, tranexamic acid helps treat melasma, a skin condition characterized by hyperpigmentation.
Melasma is triggered by hormones, UV exposure, and visible light, causing abnormal pigmentation and blood vessel formation.
Tranexamic acid works by inhibiting the activation of plasminogen in keratinocytes, reducing inflammation and pigment production.
Clinical studies show varying results for topical tranexamic acid's effectiveness in treating melasma.
The formulation of topical tranexamic acid is crucial for its effectiveness, with some studies showing promise and others showing no effect.
Tranexamic acid may improve barrier function and provide symptomatic relief for conditions like rosacea.
It inhibits angiogenesis and reduces vascular endothelial growth factor, which can help with redness and barrier function.
Topical tranexamic acid can be beneficial for skin brightening and even skin tone, beyond just reducing pigmentation.
A case study showed significant improvement in facial redness using a 10% tranexamic acid solution applied topically.
Tranexamic acid is generally well-tolerated topically, which is important for conditions that can be worsened by irritation.
Topical tranexamic acid may offer improvement in hyperpigmentation, redness, and barrier function, but more research is needed.
Polish Choice's discoloration Repair Serum contains 3% tranexamic acid and other beneficial ingredients like niacinamide.
The Minimalist's 3% tranexamic acid serum includes mandelic acid and other components to enhance skin texture and penetration.
Tranexamic acid's effectiveness in skincare is not a one-size-fits-all solution and should be part of a multi-modal approach.
Sun protection is essential when using tranexamic acid for melasma and other skin conditions, as UV rays can worsen symptoms.
Transcripts
does tranexamic acid in skincare even
work or is it just a big scam I really
feel as though this is something we need
to talk about more in depth so that you
guys don't go down the wrong path with
your skincare routines and add things
that may or may not do anything first of
all what the heck is tranexamic acid
it's a synthetic lysine derivative
lysine's an amino acid and it's been
used for decades in decades since like
the' 60s to stop bleeding it's
specifically it's often used to treat
menaga which is the medical term for
well heavy periods but come to find out
given orally like a pill that you take
by mouth tranexamic acid is actually
quite helpful in treating a skin
condition where you have
hyperpigmentation and that skin
condition is known as melasma and I have
a lot of videos about melasma on my
channel so if you deal with it you need
to check those out so you have more
insight into what's going on
hyperpigmentation
as well as an increase in abnormal blood
vessel formation all triggered by
hormones irritating things and UV
exposure from the Sun as well as visible
light from the Sun but why might a drug
used to treat bleeding work for malasma
in your epidermis at the very bottom
layer of your epidermis the epidermis is
the top part of your skin at the very
bottom part of the top part you have uh
skin cells called keratin aides those
keratin aides have something called
plasminogen which is the target for
tranexamic acid now in contrast to its
mechanism for stopping bleeding here
it's a little bit different because as
it turns out a big reason why
hyperpigmentation is driven by UV
exposure is the activation of this
plasminogen via keratinocytes that leads
to the release of inflammatory mediators
like prostaglandin and lucat trines that
subsequently trigger increase in
melanogenesis AK pigment production
underscoring a hyperpigmentation this is
not only an issue for melasma but also
for other types of hyperpigmentation
like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
those dark marks that might be left
behind on your skin after say acne heals
or a bug bite heals so tranexamic acid
interrupts that and basically Works to
stop UV mediated
hyperpigmentation by preventing the
increase in prostaglandins and lucrin so
Asma in particular responds well to oral
tranexamic acid as well as introducing
it directly into the skin via like micro
needling or some other sort of delivery
system where you are basically injecting
it into the skin locally but some people
are not going to be good candidates for
oral tranexamic acid it may not be
tolerable or feasible to have it
injected in so can it actually work when
you just apply it to the skin if you
just just look at the structure of
tranexamic acid you're going to be
skeptical if you know anything about
chemistry it's going to be like is that
actually going to get in it's polar so
depending on how it's formulated into
skincare products it may not reach a
meaningful concentration where it needs
to be to suppress UV mediated increases
in pigment production but we're willing
to try things anyways so there are
several clinical studies out there not a
ton okay not a ton looking at different
formulations of topical tranexamic acid
3% tranexamic acid cream applied
topically for 12 weeks 5% tranexamic
acid gel applied topically for 12 weeks
3% tranexamic acid solution applied for
12 weeks 5% liposomal tranexamic acid
applied for 12 weeks and then a 2%
formulation applied again for 12 weeks
you're noting a theme here these are all
done 12 weeks which is good to have some
consistency um of all these studies I've
just mentioned the results are varying
some show promise for improving melasma
when applied topically others show no
effect so the results are variable and
really what it tells us is that we have
to strongly take into account the
overall formulation now I pointed this
out in my other videos before but when
it comes to treating
hyperpigmentation malas Asma
specifically but really any type of
hyperpigmentation rarely is it going to
be the case if at all that it is a
single best treatment to get rid of the
condition usually especially with
melasma almost always it's multi modal
approaches using topicals that combine
different ingredients that Target
different aspects of what leads to
hyperpigmentation and in the case of
melasma also address that underlying
vascular component there also energy
based devices like lasers light based
devices that may be employed chemical
peels and then of course we cannot
neglect aggressive sun protection
especially for melasma so to say is
tranexamic acid worth it for
hyperpigmentation melasma just in terms
of improving the pigment issue the
hyperpigmentation it really all depends
on what else you're doing formulation is
key speaking of formulation a product
can contain other ingredients that
Target other aspects of the pigment
producing Pathway to augment the chances
that you notice an appreciable
difference in dark spots as well as
ingredients that enhance penetration as
well as enhan skin cell turnover things
like lactobionic acid a polyhydroxy acid
or mandelic acid or salicylic acid but
what if I told you that topical
tranexamic acid doesn't just Target
increase pigment production and benefits
may be obtained outside of solely
reducing melanin pigment abnormal
melanin pigment production um because
when it comes to discoloration a lot of
people laser focus in on on the pigment
but there can be overlying skin changes
and other background skin changes going
on that lead to an overall appearance of
discoloration and addressing those
things leads to a brightening effect
things like dull skin as well as
background redness that in some skin
tones especially when overlapped on top
of hyperpigmentation can look more like
discoloration tranexamic acid bya
inhibition of something called par 2
actually can improve barrier function
and this has specifically been examined
not for melasma or hyperpigmentation but
rather for rosacea a condition
characterized by increased sensitivity
to things that come in contact with the
skin and a background problem with the
Skin Barrier so remember our barrier um
the outermost layer of our skin it's
serves to limit penetration of things
that are irritating people who have
rosacea they have a bit of an impaired
barrier and they have other things going
on in their skin that make them very
very sensitive topical tranexamic acid
can actually improve barrier function
offering symptomatic relief for people
with rosacea from the symptoms of
burning stinging sensitivity as well as
redness things that address barrier
function not only are going to be
helpful for rosacea but they also can be
helpful for molas and hyperpigmentation
because things that are irritating to
the skin can aggravate hyperpigmentation
as well tranexamic acid Works also to
inhibit angiogenesis new blood vessel
abnormal blood vessel formation reduces
vascular endothelial growth factor
necessary for these you know dilated
blood vessels to come in and form and it
also reduces facial redness because it
reduces certain inflammatory markers so
topical tranexamic acid actually may be
beneficial not just from the perspective
of improving hyperpigmentation but also
redness and barrier function by
improving barrier function it can help
with improving overall skin tone a lot
of people get hung up on skin lightening
reduction in melanin pigment but a lot
of what might also benefit them is skin
brightening which skin brightening
differs from skin lightening in that
it's not a reduction in pigment but it's
an overall Improvement in skin Radiance
luminosity and that can come about as a
result of an improvement in barrier
function and moisturization of the skin
overall clearer um and more even skin
tone just by light scattering and a
reduction in inflammation that leads to
redness so that's another thing to
really think about it's not just the
hyperpigmentation it's anti-redness and
it is helpful for barrier function but
we do still have that issue of optimal
formulation penetration does it actually
get in and do what it's supposed to do a
really striking case study of one
patient we've talked about
rosacea and now inappropriate use of
strong steroid creams on the face can
actually cause um a type of rosacea
called steroid rosacea where you can get
persistent facial redness dilated blood
vessels that's what I'm showing you here
on this woman's face from this case
report tranexamic acid is something that
is given to stop bleeding and comes in a
little vial a liquid they they made a
10% solution of tranexamic acid from
that so you know not a skincare product
that you buy in the store um gave it to
the patient in a little plastic
container that was protected from light
told the patient make sure you store
this at room temperature it's actually
stable for 90 days had the patient get a
cotton swab dip it in the solution and
apply it to the skin twice a day look at
the Improvement that this individual got
so that's really interesting I I would
love to see this pursued more because
tranexamic acid is a really cheap drug
inexpensive drug if you could just do
this and give it to a p you know if your
doctor would be willing to try this out
either for redness or for
hyperpigmentation it's it's very
compelling as a potential easy coste
effective therapeutic modality so all of
me telling you oh yeah formulations
really important for penetration and
everything this patient got good results
just dipping on into the uh 10% solution
and smearing it on with a cotton swap
it's generally well tolerated as a
topical and will'll say that topical
tranexamic acid is generally well
tolerated which is important because
whether it be rosacea or
hyperpigmentation anything that is
irritating can worsen either of those
conditions making the redness the dark
spots much worse so where does topical
tranexamic acid fit into this thing is
it something that you should consider
introducing into your skin care routine
well you know if it's not broken don't
fix it but topical tranexamic acid may
may okay offer some improvement not just
in hyperpigmentation whether it be
melasma or post-inflammatory
hyperpigmentation but also may help calm
down redness and may help with your
moisture barrier if you're somebody who
deals with a lot of facial redness
irritation you may find actually that
topical tranexamic acid is very soothing
right it cuts down on things like Incan
6 and it has an anti-inflammatory effect
and it may help with your barrier
function limiting penetration of things
that are irritating into the skin I
think it is a compelling topical for
people who deal with post acne marks
whether it be redness and or
hyperpigmentation it's not the only one
out there it's not the most well studied
for these things but it's compelling and
it is an option and it is available
there are a few products on the market
that use tranexamic acid one of them I
reviewed a few years ago for you guys
from Polish Choice their discoloration
Repair Serum this has 3% tranexamic acid
but it also has 5% niacinamide so as it
turns out you guys already know who
watch a lot of my videos niacinamide
like tranexamic acid is a good
ingredient for dark spots redness the
moisture barrier uh reducing sensitivity
it's anti-inflammatory all of these
things that tranexamic acid may do
depending on the formulation iCal
niacinamide has a lot more research
supporting that it does so I like that
that's included cuz remember also what I
said about treating dark spots
hyperpigmentation it's not usually just
one ingredient having multiple
ingredients in there that Target
different arms of the pigment pathway
really can lend better results and
niacinamide specifically works for
hyperpigmentation because it slows down
the spread of those pigment packets that
are produced in the melanocytes to the
neighboring keratin sites so that's
totally different from how tranexamic
acid is going to be working for dark
spots tranexamic acid is going to be
working for dark spots by hopefully
making its way down to the junction
between the epidermis and the dermis
targeting the plasminogen pathway in
those keratinocytes suppressing UV from
the Sun
mediated uh increases in prostaglandin
and lucat Trine that lead to
melanogenesis and hyperpigmentation so
totally different mechanisms they
complement one another so I like that
now the discoloration defense serum also
has uh biku which is an antioxidant that
may also help along with these things in
combating inflammation in the skin it's
marketed as a discoloration defense
serum but overall I think it's also a
good option for people who deal with
facial redness and are simply seeking a
serum that may help improve overall skin
skin Radiance and E even out one's skin
tone like all of Polish Choice products
it's free of fragrance it's like a very
lightweight lotion you apply it maybe as
a first step in your morning or evening
skincare routine after cleansing to skin
while it's still a bit damp that really
can help maximize penetration of
ingredients um they they penetrate
better on damp skin allow it to absorb
fully and then apply sunscreen if you're
wearing it during the day or and or a
moisturizer on over if you like in the
evening but this particular product is
$55 is there a less expensive
alternative well one that I have tried
out that is is a good one that I would
also recommend comes from the brand
minimalist they have a tranexamic acid
three a 3% tranexamic acid serum um that
is like less than $12 in addition to the
tranexamic acid this particular serum
has mandelic acid which can help smooth
out the skin surface and allow for
better penetration of that tranexamic
acid it also has 0.5% cyc acid um which
is good for exfoliating the pores but
also works well for helping to improve
hyperpigmentation it has some
anti-inflammatory properties to it so
overall this particular serum I think is
especially good for people who have
post- acne redness post- acne dark marks
but it might also be helpful for people
have rosacea and I know what you're
thinking like yeah but mandelic acid
salicylic acid certainly those are
completely off the table when it comes
to rosacea right like we're not supposed
to use stuff like that and that's not
true yes people with rosacea do have
exquisitly sensitive skin and
exfoliating acids like salicylic acid
and even mandelic acid possibly can end
up being too irritating but they also
can be beneficial for rosacea because
they can help cut down on deodex mites
which are a big problem with rosacea so
they may also help in that regard
smoothing out the skin surface and with
consistent use that ultimately helps
with better barrier function provided
you tolerate which with rosacea is going
to be a very individualized outcome so
that's another great option um it also
has oat kernel extract in it which is
very moisturizing hydrating and soothing
and it has um sodium hyaluronate the
salt is of Hy IC acid which is hydrating
so those things alone are are definitely
also going to complement potential
benefits to the moisture barrier from
tranexamic Acid um and ultimately help
out with just evening out skin tone so
those are two options right there all
that to say it's important to set your
expectations with regards to Tropic
tropical with regards to topical
tranexamic acid it's not a slam dunk and
it it it shows promise but more research
is needed I think it's a generally well
tolerated ingredient though so it makes
sense that a lot of people appreciate
Improvement in skin tone using it
there's a mechanism there and it is very
effective when given systemically to
treat melasma and this may be you know
TR topical tranexamic acid is kind of
viewed at least for melasma and
hyperpigmentation as an option maybe as
a bridging therapy because you know
things like hydroquinone which is the
gold standard for melasma we don't like
to continue that indefinitely and it can
be irritating so we like to bridge the
person onto something that's kind of as
a maintenance treatment and then come
back to hydroquinone if we need to and
so during those bridging time periods
tranexamic acid topically may be an
option especially if the patient is not
able to take systemic tranexamic acid
that you know it's contraindicated due
to their medical history the other thing
about setting your expectations is to
know that with melasma and rosacea these
are chronic skin conditions while these
products ingredients treatments
modalities Etc do help in um improving
symptoms and controlling they don't cure
and so you always have to be babysitting
these conditions they don't you know
they they typically come back and it
requires you to always be on you know
two or three steps ahead whether it be
melasma whether it be uh rosacea whether
it be post acne dark marks or red marks
sun protection is key UV rays drive a
lot of of these issues not the only
cause of these problems not the only
contributing factor but a big one and
one that you always need to be be on top
of and mindful of in order for any of
these things to offer any sort of
benefit and to prevent the conditions
from worsening and or recurring more
frequently all right y'all I hope this
was informative to you all regarding
topical tranexamic acid where we're at
as far as what it's been shown to be
helpful for the limitations setting your
expectations knowing it's not a
oneandone this is the best the worst but
likely plays a supporting role and
explains why a lot of people do in fact
note Improvement in their skin when
using it if you guys enjoyed this video
give it a thumbs up share it with your
friends and as always don't forget
sunscreen And subscribe I'll talk to you
guys tomorrow bye he
[Music]
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