No, dead skin cells themselves don't inherently turn black. The blackness associated with dead skin is usually due to other factors, such as:
Factors Contributing to Blackened Appearance of Dead Skin
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Necrosis: Necrotic tissue, which is dead tissue (not simply dying tissue, as clarified by the Reddit ELI5 reference), can turn black due to a lack of blood flow or infection. This is a serious condition called gangrene and requires urgent medical attention. As noted in the Johns Hopkins Medicine and Cleveland Clinic sources on gangrene and necrosis, the black color is a characteristic of this condition, not the dead cells themselves.
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Accumulation of Debris: Dead skin cells, along with oil, sweat, bacteria, and other substances, can accumulate on the skin's surface, particularly in areas like the neck. This buildup can discolor the area and lead to a darkened appearance. This is mentioned in the Mayo Clinic article on black hairy tongue and the Medical News Today article on black neck.
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External Staining: Food, drinks, tobacco, and other substances can stain dead skin cells, making them appear black. This is further supported by the Mayo Clinic's discussion of black hairy tongue.
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Dry Skin: When dry skin sheds, the accumulated dead skin cells might appear darker due to concentration and lack of moisture. This is a suggestion from Quora references on black eraser shavings and build-up of dead skin.
Clarification on the Question:
The original question is slightly ambiguous. Dead skin cells themselves don't inherently darken. The blackness is usually a consequence of a separate process such as necrosis or the accumulation and staining of dead skin along with other substances.
