Cysteamine for Skin

L-Cysteamine is an antioxidant that is produced by the degradation of coenzyme A

• Anti-melanoma: cysteamine is a skin-lightening agent that can be used for treating post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or melasma.

• Anti-mutagenic: it can help to reduce the rate of mutation

• Anti-carcinogenic: It can reduce the development of cancer.

• Anti-tumour: it can prevent tumours.

Cysteamine is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin and skin of colour because it does irritate or cause damage to the skin.

• 58% MASI (Melasma Area and Severity Index) score in melasma patients.
• 67% melanin reduction in melasma lesions.
• 90% of patients noticed significant improvements.
• Cysteamine does not have any side effects to the skin like irritation.

Cysteamine is an antioxidant that is obtained from coenzyme A and Kligman’s formula or Pigmanorm cream is a combination of ingredients like hydroquinone, hydrocortisone, and tretinoin. There are many patients that have a resistance to Kligman’s formula and when they are treated with cysteamine cream, they show improvement of the hyperpigmented lesions.

A 44-year-old patient who had a resistance to Kligman’s formula was treated with cysteamine and showed improvement of the hyperpigmented lesions. Telangiectasia and perilesional hypopigmentation improved after the discontinuation of Kligman’s formula and cysteamine cream was used to treat the patient and it was a success.

Cysteamine did have any side effects after a 3-year follow-up of the patient.

Considering the high efficacy of cysteamine cream, it is possible that it could replace depigmenting agents such as hydroquinone in the future.

No, cysteamine cannot be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding and it is not safe.