Skin sense

Thank you for including the interview with Dr. Retno I.S. Tranggono (Quest for fair complexion the dark side of cosmetics) in The Jakarta Post Sunday edition of Aug. 9, 1999.

We would herewith like to provide a correction in the mistaken use of the word melatonin for melanin. Although the words sound somewhat similar, their meaning is totally different.

Melanin: A group of black or dark brown pigments, produced by metabolic activity of certain specialized cells containing carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen and probably sulfur. Occurs naturally in the choroid coat of the eye, the skin, hair, cardiac muscle and pia mater. The same evidence indicates that melanin is 5-6 dihydroxyn dole, a carboxylic acid, and results from the action of the enzyme tyrosinase on tyrosine (according to Blakiston's New Gould Medical Dictionary).

Melatonin: A substance formed by the pineal gland that appears to depress gonadal function. Melatonin is rapidly metabolized and is taken up by all tissues, and it is involved in circadian rhythms (Medical & Allied Health Dictionary).

Melatonin is currently a trendy sleeping pill, natural and cheap. It's benefits are still debatable, but studies point to many possible uses. The drug may help ease insomnia, combat jet lag, prevent pregnancy (in large doses), protect cells from free radical damage, boost the immune system, prevent cancer and extend life, according to Society & The Arts - Newsweek of Aug. 14, 1995.

We hope that this information is clear and will be useful for future reference. We will be most happy to work with The Jakarta Post on future articles.

SUSE HERLENI

Marketing Service Manager

PT Ristra Indolab

Jakarta