What is Melanin?

MELANIN is the pigment that gives human skin, hair, and eyes their colour. Dark-skinned people have more melanin in their skin than light-skinned people have.

It provides protection again skin damage from the sun, and the melanocytes increase their production of melanin in response to sun exposure.

Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes.It is produced by the oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine, followed by polymerization. 

The pigment is produced in a specialized group of cells known as melanocytes.

In the skin, melanogenesis occurs after exposure to UV radiation, causing the skin to visibly tan. Melanin is an effective absorber of light; the pigment is able to dissipate over 99.9% of absorbed UV radiation. Because of this property, melanin is thought to protect skin cells from UVB radiation damage, reducing the risk of cancer. Furthermore, though exposure to UV radiation is associated with increased risk of malignant melanoma a cancer of the melanocytes, studies have shown a lower incidence for skin cancer in individuals with more concentrated melanin, i.e. darker skin tone.

MORE MELANIN = DARKER, LONGER LASTING TAN!!

 

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanin
*http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4340

 

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The Photoskin® Team