Don’t Let it Start, Don’t Let it Spread
As summer approaches, we need to do our best to keep our skin healthy. That means protecting it from harmful ultraviolet, or UV, radiation.
Melanin
Alternative Names
Skin pigment
Information
Melanin is a natural substance that gives color (pigment) to:
- Hair
- Skin
- The iris of the eye
It is produced by cells in the skin called melanocytes.
Melanin also helps protect the skin from the sun.
Gallery
References
Bolognia JL, Orlow SJ. Melanocyte biology. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 65.
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary. Melanin. www.merriam-webster.com/medical. Accessed July 18, 2022.
Moore KL, Persaud TVN, Torchia MG. Development of eyes and ears. In: Moore KL, Persaud TVN, Torchia MG, eds. The Developing Human. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 18.
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