When we talk about tanning, sun spots, or skin, we are referring to melanin. When we come into contact with ultraviolet rays, this pigment in our bodies becomes activated, protecting our skin from harm and darkening us. However, melanin is found as a pigment not only in the skin, but also in hair and the irises of the eyes.
Now that you know what melanin is, read on to find out what it is used for in the following article. Learn how to protect and care for your skin.
1. First and foremost, you should be aware that melanin is a pigment whose primary purpose is to define the color of your skin. A shortage or excess of this component in our bodies, on the other hand, may cause skin disorders and other difficulties with the hair or eyes.
2. Melanocytes (melanin) are found in the epidermis’s bottom layer (skin). The number of melanin-producing cells affects skin color. Albinos have relatively little melanin in their skin, whereas darker skin tones have more. Our pigmentation is determined by the percentage of melanocyte molecules in our bodies.
3. Melanin comes in a variety of forms, including eumelanin and pheomelanin. The latter is present in higher concentrations in human bodies, and levels of pheomelanin determine whether a person is extremely pale or has darker skin; eumelanin, on the other hand, is considerably more frequent and plentiful in individuals with darker skin.
Grey hair, on the other hand, is less common (because to a lack of eumelanin) in black, brown, and/or blonde hair. Meanwhile, pheomelanin is abundant in human skin, particularly in redheads and fair-skinned individuals. Of course, excessive sun exposure may cause cancer.
4. You’re undoubtedly wondering what melanin’s purpose is. This pigment, in addition to defining the tone of our skin, serves as a filter to protect our skin and prevent any harm caused by solar radiation in various epidermal layers. As a result, it is critical to maintain our skin healthy in order to allow melanocytes to operate correctly and to protect the skin from UV radiation.
5. Melanin is triggered by light, which occurs when our skin comes into touch with sunshine. Melanin absorbs UV photons and absorbs them, causing the color of our skin to alter. Light absorbers or chromophores, such as beta-carotene found in carrots or chlorophyll in plants, alter skin tones in a variety of ways.
6. A lack of melanin production in our bodies causes grey hairs to develop more quickly or possibly albinism. There are also a number of hormones that may affect the formation of melanin, particularly in women. A woman’s skin color may vary during pregnancy or menstruation, for example, owing to excess melanin (melasma) or underproduction (vitiligo). It is important to know that there are various methods for the body to produce melanin in order to compensate for a lack of this pigment.
7. In summary, melanin synthesis in our skin protects us from UV radiation from the sun while also defining our skin tone and hair color. Melanin is also responsible for tanning and greying. For additional details, check at what occurs when melanin levels drop.
You must be particularly cautious with your skin, since if it is not properly cared for, you may develop malignant changes, such as melanoma. So take excellent care of your skin and make sure it generates enough melanin.