In whatever century we are in, apparently, when we see someone, the first thing we observe is their skin colour. It can’t be denied, as even a lot of scientists and studies on cultural and behavioural sciences say that it is a common trait among people of all ethnicity. However, you are more than your skin, and your skin is more than its colour. It's interesting and full of secrets behind the skin. Melanin is the pigment that is responsible for different types of skin tones and shades, eye colours, and hair colours. Along with providing pigmentation for skin, hair, and eyes, it also provides protection against the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays. In this article, we’ll talk in an elaborate way about melanin.
What is Melanin and Types
The main things that determine the colour of our skin are how much and what kind of pigment is in the cells of our skin. Melanocytes are the cells in the body that produce pigments or colour, which is known as melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its colour, and melanocytes are the cells that make it. Melanin absorbs and scatters harmful ultraviolet (UV) light to protect us from it.
When our skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, a message is sent by the cells to our melanocytes to start making melanin. Then the melanocytes will send melanin to nearby skin cells, which will help protect them from the effects of UV radiation.
When you are exposed to the sun, melanocytes make more melanin to help protect your skin from the sun's damaging effects. This causes the skin to darken. The very reason why your skin may get darker when you spend longer in the sun light.
But it's important to remember that it's not a foolproof way to get protected from the harmful effects of the sun's rays. Still, your skin cells can be hurt by UV rays. That is the reason you are advised to take extra steps to protect your skin by wearing sunscreen, shading your body, carrying an umbrella, etc. during the hottest time of the day.
Melanin can be of two types;
Eumelanin, also called "darker melanin," gives the skin its brown or black colour. Pheomelanin, otherwise called "brighter melanin," gives the skin its red or yellow colour. How does Melanocytes work
Genes, hormones, and things in the environment control the kind and amount of melanin made in the body. Genes are like blueprints in that they tell our cells what to do and how we should be. Some hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, may also affect how much melanin is made. Melanin can also be affected by things in the environment, like toxins and sunlight.
Because of this, people who live in places where there is a lot of UV radiation are more likely to have darker skin. Similarly, people who live in places where there is less UV radiation tend to have lighter skin. From this,we understand that darker skin is better at protecting against the harmful effects of UV radiation than lighter skin.
Melanin and Pigmentation
From the above discussion, we understand that the darker your skin, eyes, and hair will be, the more melanin your body will produce. The amount of melanin in your body is determined by several variables, including genetics, environmental factors in your body, physical changes, and the amount of sun exposure. So if certain things are taken care of and avoided, melanin production can be balanced, and your skin can become lighter and healthier. When an extra level of melanin is produced in the body due to any factor, it causes pigmentation and, in extreme cases, hyperpigmentation. Pigmentation is a global concern, and there are countless procedures, products, and processes to treat this skin issue. But, what is the best and safest way? Of course, natural ways are always preferable and safe to follow. However, it takes patience and practice over a dedicated period of time to get rid of the problem safely and with many health benefits. Treating skin with super antioxidants can be the best way to address the melanin issue from its roots. The rise of the master antioxidant glutathione has changed the beauty world. Glutathione is the most powerful and versatile antioxidant in the body and aids in skin regeneration. Studies claim that when oral supplementation of glutathione is combined with vitamin C, it becomes a very powerful solution to many of your skin problems. Not just skin health, but it will improve your health condition in many ways. As we all know, antioxidants are needed to dissolve free radicals. Within a few weeks of taking a glutathione supplement, skin looks fresh and rejuvenated, with a noticeable reduction in spots, discoloration and skin that is glowy. Lifezen Healthcare’s Tuskca Glutathione and Tuskca Vitamin C can be taken together in 200 ml of water for 90 days to see the results. To learn more, read here.
Health Benefits of Melanin
Melanin is important for human health in many ways, not just because it protects the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light. For example, it protects the eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light and may stop skin cells from damaging their DNA. Melanin may also help control our circadian rhythm, the internal clock that determines alertness and resting time in the body. So, even though the colour of our skin might seem like nothing more than a superficial trait, it is actually important to our health and well-being in a number of ways. By learning more about skin colour science, we might get a better understanding of the aspects of ourselves that make us who we are as individuals.
Does everyone have the same amount of melanin?
Though there are many variations in skin, hair, and eye colour, almost all humans have roughly the same number of melanocytes. The difference can be, people with dark skin tones have melanosomes that are higher in number, larger in size, and more pigmented than those with light skin tones.
Melanin levels are typically inherited, although they can also be affected by environmental factors including sun exposure, hormones, or even age.This skin science insight will help people understand their body and skin and accept their own skin colour.