Methods and compositions for reducing pyrimidine photoproducts

A method for reducing pyrimidine dimer formation in human skin comprising the step of:

• a) applying an effective amount of solubilized melanin to human skin, wherein said melanin is in an amount effective to reduce pyrimidine dimer formation, and wherein said substance for solubilizing melanin is selected from the group consisting of triethanolamine and trypsin, wherein said solubilizing substance is present in an amount sufficient to solubilize the melanin, wherein said melanin and solubilizing substance is in a vehicle suitable for topical application.

A method for monitoring levels of pyrimidine dimer formation in human skin comprising of the steps of:

• a) measuring the amount of pyrimidine dimers in human skin prior to applying an effective amount of melanin thereto;
• b) applying an effective amount of melanin to said human skin, wherein said melanin is in an amount effective to reduce pyrimidine dimer formation, and wherein said melanin is in a vehicle suitable for topical application.
• c) measuring the level of pyrimidine dimers located in said human skin after applying an effective amount of melanin thereto, and exposure of said human skin to ultraviolet radiation.

A method for monitoring levels of pyrimidine dimer formation in human skin comprising the steps of:

• a) measuring the amount of pyrimidine dimers in human skin prior to applying an effective amount of solubilized melanin thereto, wherein said melanin is in an amount effective to reduce pyrimidine dimer formation, and wherein said substance for solubilizing melanin is selected from the group consisting of triethanolamine and trypsin, wherein said solubilizing substance is present in an amount sufficient to solubilize the melanin, said melanin and solubilizing substance being in a vehicle suitable for topical application;
• b) applying an effective amount of the solubilized melanin to said human skin;
• c) measuring the level of pyrimidine dimers located in said human skin after applying an effective amount of the solubilized melanin to said human skin, and exposure of said human skin to ultraviolet radiation.