melanin is good or bad - #13207
I am starting to wonder if melanin is good or bad because I've been doing some research. Last summer I got 3rd degree burns on my back due to a nasty sunburn, and I thought that maybe having more melanin would have protected me. My friend was saying melanin is good because it helps with UV protection and skin cancer risk, but then I read somewhere that it could also trap toxins in the skin. Like, that freaked me out a little. My cousin who's super pale always complains about being sunburnt but she says her skin products say that more melanin means she's less likely to get skin cancer, right? I dunno, I’m confused. I also heard that people with darker skin tones can still get skin cancer, which made me think maybe melanin is bad in some cases? But then again, I notice that people with more melanin tend to age better because of that glow. Can someone help me out and clarify if melanin is good or bad for skin health or if it just really depends on the person? I’m just trying to understand it better, like, all the info out there is just all over the place!
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.

Doctors’ responses
Melanin, the pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye color, has several roles in skin health, and whether it’s “good” or “bad” isn’t black and white; it largely depends on context. Your friend is correct that melanin provides some protection against UV radiation from the sun. Higher levels of melanin in the skin do reduce the risk of UV-induced damage, such as sunburn and certain types of skin cancer like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. This is because melanin acts somewhat like a natural sunscreen, absorbing and dissipating UV rays, thereby lessening DNA damage in skin cells. However, melanin isn’t a foolproof defense against skin cancer and people with darker skin tones are still susceptible to melanoma, though it’s comparatively less common. The catch is, when skin cancers do occur in darker-skinned individuals, they can be diagnosed at a more advanced stage, possibly due to less frequent self-monitoring or screening, so vigilance is still crucial. The idea that melanin “traps” toxins is a bit misleading. Melanin doesn’t accumulate toxins; instead, it’s more about how well the skin barrier functions and metabolizes various substances. You’ve noted that individuals with more melanin often age more gracefully, which has some truth to it due to superior UV protection that mitigates photoaging. Long term, protecting your skin through sun-safe practices such as wearing sunscreen, seeking shade, and covering up with suitable clothing are universal recommendations, regardless of your melanin level. It’d be beneficial to find a balance tailored to your skin type, ideally with advice from a healthcare professional familiar with your personal and familial health history. Understanding your individual risk factors and taking appropriate sun safety precautions can better aid in maintaining skin health.
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.