Keep reading as we discover more about what is melanin and find out what is the function of melanin in the epidermis. Melanin is found in both humans and animals and is a natural skin pigment. Your eye, hair, and skin color will be dependent on how much melanin you have in your body, and melanin is created by skin cells called melanocytes. While all of us have the same amount of melanocytes, some people’s bodies have much more melanin than others. For example, if your cells only produce a small amount of melanin, it’s likely that your skin, hair, and eyes will be a lighter color. On the other hand, they’ll be much darker if your cells create more melanin. Melanin production is based on our genes, which is why we often look so similar to our parents.
What is the Function of Melanin | What is Melanin Made Of
What is the Function of Melanin
There are various types of melanin, which fulfill different biological functions. This includes photoprotection for your skin and eyes, and skin and hair pigmentation. Pigmentation of our skin is a result of the melanin-containing melanosomes, which are found in the basal layer of the epidermis. If you are wondering what is the function of melanin in the epidermis, it’s to give the skin color while also protecting it from the sun. Melanin helps to protect the skin from the effects of UV light. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces melanin, which is why we often get a tan after spending too much time in the sun. This tan effect helps to increase the photoprotective pigment in our skin and aims to protect our skin further. Melanin works to absorb UV light and also neutralizes radicals that are created with this sunlight exposure. Although we’ve already discovered what is the primary function of melanin, it’s important to consider the impact the sun has on your skin. One of the reasons skin cancer seems to be less prominent in individuals with darker skin is due to melanin. While more research is still needed into this area, it certainly appears to be a primary factor to consider when discussing skin cancer.
Types of Melanin
There are three different types of melanin, which can be found in different parts of our bodies. Firstly, eumelanin creates a dark color in the eyes, skin, and hair. Eumelanin comes in black and brown, and with a mix of these, black and brown hair are created. Blonde hair is a result of small amounts of brown eumelanin, but no black eumelanin is present. On the lips and nipples, you’ll find the pink color is a result of pheomelanin. Red hair is also created as a result of equal amounts of pheomelanin and eumelanin, and strawberry blonde hair comes from a mix of brown eumelanin and pheomelanin. The colors of neurons are controlled by neuromelanin, and this is the third and final type of melanin.
Melanin disorders
When considering what is melanin used for, it’s important to understand some of the disorders that occur due to a lack of melanin. Albinism is a rare disorder that occurs when an animal or human has little melanin. This results in white hair, pale skin, and blue eyes and may also impact their vision. There is no treatment for this condition currently, but individuals with albinism need to be very careful in the sun. Melasma causes brownish patches on your face, but hormones and birth control pills may also cause this condition. Finally, vitiligo is when your body loses melanocytes, resulting in white patches on the skin. When considering melanin and what it is, we have to accept that we have no control over our melanin levels and how it impacts our bodies.
What is Melanin Made Of
If you are wondering what produces melanin, it’s a complex polymer that comes from the amino acid tyrosine. When it comes to the biosynthesis of melanin, many different steps make up this process. A lack of the amino acid tyrosine can result in albinism, but it’s only found in the melanocytes, which are the cells that contain this substance. Small granules of melanin pigment are found in melanosomes, which then move into other cells within the epidermis. This is how they travel around our bodies, impacting our skin, hair, and eye colors. What produces melanin is this process, which dictates the features of animals and humans.
Melanin levels are mainly determined by genetics
What does melanin do is something that many of us think about as we grow up, but it’s important to know that melanin levels are mainly determined by genetics. However, there are certain factors that may impact the production of melanin and help you understand what is the function of the protein melanin. Exposure to UV light is one of the main considerations when it comes to the amount of melanin in an animal or human’s body, but inflammation can also cause these levels to change. Skin pigment disorders, age, and hormones also all impact melanin levels. Some people try to take various supplements that can help to boost melanin production, but more research is still needed into this area. Antioxidants, vitamin A, and vitamin E are believed to help with this process, but it’s not guaranteed to change anything about your appearance or offer you more skin protection from the sun.
Melanin is something that all of us possess in some quantity, but the amount of melanin in your body will dictate your appearance and your hair, skin, and eye color. Animals also have melanin in their bodies, which is why no two animals look exactly the same, just like humans. It’s something that we have little control over in our lives and is primarily controlled by our genetics. However, when it comes to skin protection and the sun, it’s so important we understand what is melanin and how we can protect our skin from UV damage. More research is still needed about boosting your melanin levels, so for now, we encourage you always to protect yourself when spending time outdoors.
