What Is Melanin? Functions, Types and Role in Skin and Hair

It is now becoming a common misconception among people that melanin is related to skin tone only; it is not. It is in fact, a functional biological pigment that shows up in your brain, your adrenal glands and even in your inner ear, doing jobs that have nothing to do with how you look or how your skin tone is. Yes, you can see its visible part in skin, hair, and eye color but the whole picture is beyond your imagination. Let’s know what melanin actually is, what is its function in the human body, its different types and what role it plays in your skin and hair health. 

What Is Melanin?

Melanin, an integral part of the body, is a pigment that is produced from the amino acid tyrosine. Melanocytes cells are behind its manufacturing process. Depending on the type and the amount of melanin that these cells produce, it determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes. Generally, every individual has the same number of melanocytes but what matters the most is how much melanin these melanocytes produce and how it gets distributed in the body. More melanin production means a darker skin tone, darker hair colors and vice versa. 

Where Does Melanin Actually Come From?

Melanin exists not only in the skin but also in the following areas as well:

• Your hair follicles
• Your irises
• The innermost layer of your skin
• The substantia nigra and locus coeruleus: two regions of your brain
• Your adrenal glands
• The stria vascularis of your inner ear

What Are the Types of Melanin?

There are three distinct types of melanin and they do entirely different jobs.

Eumelanin plays a vital role in deciding the colour of your hair. If there is large production of it, you get black hair. If the production is moderate, the colour is brown. In case of a small amount of eumelanin production, the hair remains blonde. If eumalanin and pheomelanin production is equal, the hair gets red. 

How Does Melanin Protect Your Skin?

Melanin protects skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation by absorbing it before it inflicts damage to the body. But don’t get complacent that your darker skin tone (excess melanin production) will save you from UV radiation; apply sunscreen when going out.

Moreover, melanin keeps you safe from premature aging and cellular damage by scavenging the unstable byproducts your cells generate under stress. There are also some studies surfacing that melanin can support immune function and reduce inflammation but due to lack of concrete evidence, we discard it at this moment. Still it may have something to do with supporting immune function and in the near future, it proves correct. 

What Determines How Much Melanin You Have?

The primary factor that determines melanin production in your body is genetics. If your ancestors had a history of thousands of years of UV exposure that triggered excess melanin production, those darker skin tone traits will be reflected in your skin, as well.

Apart from that, current excess UV exposure, hormonal changes when one enters adult age or get pregnant, and skin inflammation can also trigger melanin production. 

Dermatologists have designed a Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype scale, a six-category system running from Type 1 to Type 6. Type 1 includes very fair skin that always burns and never tans while Type 6 includes deeply pigmented skin that rarely burns. It is a clinical tool that directly affects how a dermatologist approaches laser settings when treating a patient with pigmentation issues. 

Can You Increase or Decrease Melanin?

Yes, you can reduce excess melanin production but when it comes to increasing it, the approach should be well calculated and careful. You can reduce excess melanin through ingredients like hydroquinone, L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), azelaic acid, retinoids, and glycolic acid, only when a qualified dermatologist recommends. Additionally, treatments like laser and chemical peel can also treat hyperpigmentation. 

When it comes to increasing melanin production, there is no medically proven product that can do so without consequences. Yes, there is tanning used as an option but tanning is actually skin cells responding to UV damage and not a wellness process. It can also raise the risk of skin cancer so don’t chase tanning as a melanin booster strategy. 

What Happens When Melanin Production Goes Wrong?

Moderate melanin production is the safest scale one can wish for. If something goes wrong regarding its production, you can face the following consequences.

Hyperpigmentation:

It happens when there is excess melanin production. It results in melasma, sun spots, or dark patches left behind after skin injury or inflammation. You can avoid melasma through proper care as it is triggered by hormonal changes, sun exposure, or birth control pills.

Hypopigmentation:

It is the opposite problem and can pass through genetics as well. Albinism is its prime example where people, by birth, have very little melanin across skin, hair, and eyes carrying a high risk of vision problems and sun damage. 

Beyond skin:

As already mentioned that melanin is present in other parts as well, reduced melanin in the inner ear poses a higher risk of hearing problems. Unusual decline in neuromelanin (present in brain) is associated with Parkinson’s disease where the neurons that produce such melanin die off. 

How Melanin Affects Your Aesthetic and Skin Treatments?

Your Fitzpatrick skin type is not just background information for dermatologists, in fact, it provides a clear pathway to them regarding treatment options. They adjust the laser machine according to the skin type because if they don’t do so, patients with higher-melanin skin will face a greater risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after the treatment. The same goes for lower-melanin skin as well. 

That’s why dermatologists at Euromed Clinic perform treatment only when they perform physical examination of the skin first. 

Melanin vs. Melatonin vs. Melanoma: What’s the Difference?

These three words may sound similar up to some extent but don’t get confused; they are different. 

Melanin:

It is the pigment that gives color to your skin, hair and eyes.

Melatonin:

It is a hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. It has nothing to do with skin or pigmentation. 

Melanoma:

It is a type of skin cancer that starts in melanocytes, the cells responsible for melanin production. But keep in mind that it doesn’t mean that this cancer is caused by having melanin in the body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is melanin the same as melatonin?

No. Melanin is a pigment while melatonin is a sleep hormone.

Is melanin related to melanoma?

Melanoma is a skin cancer that develops in melanocytes, the cells responsible for making melanin. But having melanin does not cause melanoma.

Does more melanin mean full protection from the sun?

No. Melanin reduces UV damage but it doesn’t eliminate it. Therefore, apply sunscreen whenever you are going out.

Can I naturally increase my melanin?

There’s no proven safe way to intentionally boost melanin production. Tanning which some people consider for increasing melanin is not a safe method.

Can melanin be reduced if I have hyperpigmentation?

Yes. After proper skin assessment from a dermatologist, it can be treated with topical actives, chemical peels or laser skin care treatment.

Why do some people have more melanin than others?

Primarily, because of genetics and secondary reasons include hormonal changes, effects of certain medications and skin inflammation.

What is melasma? 

A form of hyperpigmentation causing brown or gray-brown patches, often triggered by hormones, sun exposure, or hormonal medication.

What is vitiligo?

It is a condition where the immune system destroys melanocytes, resulting in patches of skin with little to no pigment.

Does melanin cause vitamin D deficiency?

Some evidence suggests people with more melanin may be more prone to vitamin D deficiency, since melanin absorbs some of the UV light needed for vitamin D synthesis, but more research is still needed here.

Can low melanin affect hearing?

Melanin is present in the inner ear and reduced levels there have been linked to a higher risk of hearing problems.

Why does hair turn gray with age?

Melanocytes in hair follicles gradually reduce melanin production over time, which is why hair loses its pigment and turns gray or white.

Is tanning a safe way to darken skin?

No. Tanning reflects UV-induced skin cell stress, not a healthy process, and it increases your risk of skin cancer over time.

Talk to a Dermatology Specialist

If you are dealing with melasma, uneven tone, or persistent dark patches, understanding melanin is the first step, but getting an accurate skin assessment is the more pragmatic step that can help you get rid of such conditions. The dermatologists at Euromed Clinic in Dubai evaluate your skin type and pigmentation pattern before recommending anything.

Book a consultation with the team at Euromed Clinic Dubai today by dialing +971 4 394 5422 or reaching out to us via WhatsApp. You can also book your appointment by filling out the form provided.