Images:

Alternative Names

Skin pigment

Information

Melanin is a natural substance that gives color (pigment) to hair, skin, and the iris of the eye. Melanin also helps protect the skin from the sun.

Review Date:10/16/2006
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.