The pigment that gives color to skin is melanin. Melanin is a natural substance produced by cells in the skin called melanocytes.
The amount and type of melanin determine a person's skin color.
Melanin has several important functions:
- Pigmentation: Melanin is responsible for the color of our skin, hair, and eyes.
- UV Protection: Melanin helps protect the skin from harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun.
- Antioxidant: Melanin acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage.
There are two main types of melanin:
- Eumelanin: This type of melanin gives brown or black color.
- Pheomelanin: This type of melanin gives red or yellow color.
The amount of each type of melanin determines the skin color. People with more eumelanin have darker skin, while those with more pheomelanin have lighter skin.
