Melanin is a pigment that is mostly brown or black in color. It is responsible for the color of your skin, hair, and eyes. Melanin is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes.
There are different types of melanin, each producing a different color:
- Eumelanin produces brown and black colors.
- Pheomelanin produces red and yellow colors.
While melanin itself is typically brown or black, the types of melanin present and their relative proportions determine the final color you see. For example, people with brown eyes have a large amount of melanin in their iris, while people with blue eyes have much less.
It's important to note that melanin is not the only pigment that contributes to the color of skin, hair, and eyes. Other pigments, such as carotenoids, can also play a role.
