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What happens if melanin is high?

Published in Melanin and Pigmentation 2 mins read

If melanin is high, your hair, skin, and eyes will be darker. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin, hair, and eyes their color. The more melanin you produce, the darker these features will be.

Here are some additional details:

  • Genetics primarily determines your melanin levels. While some factors like sun exposure can influence melanin production, your genes largely dictate how much melanin your body makes.
  • High melanin levels can also occur due to certain conditions. For instance, sun exposure can cause melanin to build up in certain areas, resulting in skin darkening.
  • Higher melanin levels generally offer protection from UV radiation. While melanin can sometimes build up and cause unwanted darkening, it generally plays a protective role in shielding the skin from harmful sun rays.

However, high melanin levels can also be associated with certain health conditions:

  • Melanoma: This is a type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin. It's important to monitor your skin for any unusual moles or changes in pigmentation.
  • Eye melanoma: A rarer form of cancer, eye melanoma can develop in the cells that produce melanin in the eye.

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