COMPOSITION:

Vitsera: Vitamin C (micronized) 15% w/v, Kojic acid 1.0% w/v, Arbutin 0.25% w/v Serum

Vitsera Plus: Hydroquinone 2% w/v, Vitamin C (micronized) 15% w/v, Kojic acid 1.0% w/v, Arbutin 0.25% w/v Serum

MODE OF ACTION:

Arbutin is a hydroquinone glycoside; however, the hydroquinone moiety is not solely responsible for the de-pigmentating actions of arbutin. It acts as a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase enzyme by acting on the L-tyrosine binding site to suppress melanogenesis and mediate its de-pigmenting actions on human skin.

Hydroquinone produces reversible lightening of the skin by interfering with melanin production by the melanocytes. Specifically, inhibition of the enzymatic conversion of tyrosine to DOPA (dihydroxyphenylalanine) results in the desired chemical reduction of pigment.

Hydroquinone and Kojic acid are both topical hypopigmenting agents used in the treatment of melasma. Both the agents are tyrosinase inhibitors however; Hydroquinone is believed to have additional actions such as degradation of melanosomes, destruction of melanocytes and inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis.

Kojic acid in addition to its skin lightening action is known to have photoprotective, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving actions. Kojic acid is seldom used as immunotherapeutic agent.