Definition of Melanin
Melanin is a complex polymer that originates from the amino acid tyrosine and is present in human and animal skin to varying degrees. It is responsible for producing skin, hair, and eye pigmentation, and provides protection against harmful UV rays and reactive oxygen species.
Function of Melanin
Melanin provides pigmentation to the skin, eyes, and hair. It is produced in melanocytes, which are located in different areas of the body, including the hair, the innermost layer of the skin, the pupils and irises, and areas of the brain. Melanin protects the skin by absorbing harmful rays, including UVA, UVB, UVC, and blue light, and protects cells from sun damage. It also provides protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are byproducts of the bodys cell processes and can lead to stress.
Benefits of Melanin
Melanin has several benefits, including:
-
Protection from UV rays: Melanin protects the skin by absorbing harmful rays, including UVA, UVB, UVC, and blue light. This protection extends to all forms of UV light and helps prevent damage to the skin cells DNA.
-
Protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS): Melanin provides protection against ROS, which are byproducts of the bodys cell processes and can lead to stress.
-
Pigmentation of the hair, skin, and eyes: Melanin is responsible for the pigmentation of the hair, skin, and eyes in humans and animals.
-
Protection of the eyes and skin from sunlight: Melanin helps protect the cells of the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin, from UV light. It also protects the eyes from sunlight.
Negative Effects of Melanin
There are no known negative effects of melanin.
Ingredients or Materials of Melanin
Melanin is a heterogeneous biopolymer that is produced in a specialized group of cells known as melanocytes. It is a complex polymer that originates from the amino acid tyrosine. Melanin is brown, non-refractile, and finely granular with individual granules having a diameter of less than 800 nanometers. It is different from common blood breakdown pigments, which are larger, chunky, and refractile, and range in color from green to yellow or red-brown. Melanin is not a single structure or stoichiometry, but chemical databases include structural and empirical formulae.
