Melanin is a natural pigment found in your body that determines the color of your hair, skin, and eyes. The amount and type of melanin you produce directly impacts your pigmentation. More melanin results in darker skin, hair, and eyes; less melanin leads to lighter tones.
What Melanin Does
- Provides Pigmentation: Melanin's primary function is to give color to your skin, hair, and eyes. (Cleveland Clinic, WebMD, Healthline)
- Protects Cells: It also plays a crucial role in protecting your cells from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. (WebMD)
Types of Melanin
There are two main types of melanin:
- Eumelanin: This type produces brown and black pigments. A high concentration of eumelanin results in dark brown or black hair and skin. (MedlinePlus Genetics, Wikipedia)
- Pheomelanin: This type produces red and yellow pigments, contributing to red or blond hair and lighter skin tones. It's the primary pigment in redheads. (News-Medical)
Melanin Production
Melanin is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes, located in the skin. (Wikipedia, Johns Hopkins Medicine) The amount of melanin produced is influenced by genetics and environmental factors, such as sun exposure.
In Summary
Melanin is a crucial pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye color. Its production is determined by both genetic and environmental factors. The two main types, eumelanin and pheomelanin, contribute to the wide range of human pigmentation.
