zaro

How do we get our skin color?

Published in Skin Biology 1 min read

Our skin color is determined by the amount of melanin we have, a pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. Melanin is made within the melanocytes in organelles called melanosomes. The more melanin we have, the darker our skin will be.

Melanin serves as a natural sunscreen, protecting our skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The amount of melanin our skin produces is influenced by a combination of factors, including:

  • Genetics: We inherit our skin color from our parents, with genes determining the amount of melanin we produce.
  • Sunlight exposure: Exposure to sunlight triggers our melanocytes to produce more melanin, which helps protect our skin. This is why we tan when we spend time in the sun.
  • Location: People living in areas with more intense sunlight tend to have darker skin as a natural adaptation to protect themselves from the sun's harmful rays.
  • Other factors: Hormones, medications, and certain medical conditions can also affect our skin color.