Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Melanin
Melanin is a natural pigment found in your skin, hair, and eyes. It’s what gives skin its color. People with darker skin have more melanin while those with lighter skin have less. But melanin does more than just determine your complexion; it plays a vital role in protecting your body from ultraviolet radiation.
There are two primary types of melanin in human skin:
Eumelanin. This is the dark brown or black pigment that provides the most UV protection. People with naturally darker skin tones have more eumelanin which helps shield them from sun damage.
Pheomelanin. This is a reddish or yellow pigment and is more common in lighter-skinned individuals and redheads. Unlike eumelanin, pheomelanin does not offer much UV protection and can even contribute to increased UV sensitivity.
How Does Melanin Protect the Skin?
When your skin is exposed to the sun UV radiation poses risk to skin cell DNA. Your body recognizes this as a threat and activates melanocytes which are special cells responsible for producing melanin. Melanin production then increases and it spreads out and forms a protective barrier over the nuclei of skin cells.
Think of melanin as a natural sunscreen:
It absorbs UV radiation, preventing it from penetrating deeper into the skin and causing further DNA damage.
It neutralizes free radicals which are unstable molecules produced by UV exposure that can accelerate aging and lead to skin cancer.
Even though melanin is your body’s natural defense mechanism it’s not a substitute for sunscreen or other sun protection methods. While darker skin offers more protection than lighter skin, prolonged sun exposure still increases the risk of premature aging, sunspots, and skin cancer. That’s why everyone, regardless of skin tone, should take steps to give their skin some extra help - whether that’s sunscreen, sunglasses, seeking shade when the sun is strongest - or ideally all of these.
Why Do Some People Tan More Than Others?
The amount and type of melanin you produce is largely genetic. People with more eumelanin tan more easily and are naturally more resistant to sunburn. Those with more pheomelanin (lighter skin, freckles, red hair) burn more easily and don’t tan as effectively, making them more susceptible to UV damage.
Thank you for joining us in responsible sun safety advocacy.
Warmly,
The Spot My UV Editorial Team
The information provided here is intended for general knowledge and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any questions or concerns you may have about your skin health.