GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -What does melanin do? Melanin provides pigmentation to your skin, eyes and hair. The substance also absorbs harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays and protects your cells from sun damage.

Detailed explanation-2: -UVR causes DNA damage in the epidermis and results in melanin synthesis in melanocytes and transfer to neighboring keratinocytes, leading to increased skin pigmentation within one day after exposure.

Detailed explanation-3: -Photoprotective Role of Melanin The shielding effect of melanin, especially eumelanin, is achieved by its ability to serve as a physical barrier that scatters UVR, and as an absorbent filter that reduces the penetration of UV through the epidermis (68).

Detailed explanation-4: -Melanin is brown, non-refractile, and finely granular with individual granules having a diameter of less than 800 nanometers. This differentiates melanin from common blood breakdown pigments, which are larger, chunky, and refractile, and range in color from green to yellow or red-brown.