Which cell is responsible for skin pigmentation?

Which cell is responsible for skin pigmentation?

Melanocytes
Melanocyte. Melanocytes are melanin-producing neural crest-derived cells located in the bottom layer (the stratum basale) of the skin’s epidermis, the middle layer of the eye (the uvea), the inner ear, vaginal epithelium, meninges, bones, and heart. Melanin is a dark pigment primarily responsible for skin color.

What is the black pigment in skin called?

Your skin gets its color from a pigment called melanin. Special cells in the skin make melanin. When these cells become damaged or unhealthy, it affects melanin production.

What cells darken the skin?

Suntans work completely differently: Ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning booths trigger an increase in a hormone called melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) in the skin, Ridky said. The MSH binds to a receptor on melanocyte skin cells called MC1R and makes these cells produce melanin, which darkens the skin.

What is the function of the melanocyte?

Melanocytes are cells of neural crest origin. In the human epidermis, they form a close association with keratinocytes via their dendrites. Melanocytes are well known for their role in skin pigmentation, and their ability to produce and distribute melanin has been studied extensively.

What is the color of melanin?

brown
Genetics and evolution of hair and skin colour Melanin – a brown/black or red/yellow polymer produced by melanosomes in melanocyte cells. Haemoglobin in red blood cells in the superficial vasculature. Dietary carotenoids (e.g. carrots) – to a much lesser degree, and is often seen as a yellow colour on the palms.

What drug makes your skin darker?

The main drugs implicated in causing skin pigmentation are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antimalarials, amiodarone, cytotoxic drugs, tetracyclines, heavy metals and psychotropic drugs.

Is skin Whitening possible naturally?

Natural bleach face pack To make a natural bleach face pack, bend 2 tsp of orange peel powder or lemon peel powder with a tsp of baking soda, 1 tsp of honey and 2 tsp of lemon juice. Apply this paste onto your face to remove pigmentation and also to bleach facial hair and to get glowing skin.

What produces melanin?

2 Melanin Production. Melanin is produced by melanocytes situated in the basal layer of the epidermis. The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is regulating the production of both eumelanin and pheomelanin, and the gene encoding MC1R has been sequenced from different ethnic groups (21).

What are the two primary types of melanin?

There are five basic types of melanin: eumelanin, pheomelanin, neuromelanin, allomelanin and pyomelanin. The most common type is eumelanin, of which there are two types— brown eumelanin and black eumelanin.

Where are pigment cells located in the body?

The pigment cells or melanocytes are located at the base of the epidermis and produce the protein melanin. Melanin is carried by keratinocytes to the skin surface. The melanocytes of dark skinned people produce more melanin than those of people with light skin.

How does skin pigmentation change in dark skin?

Pigmentation Changes in Dark Skin. In hyperpigmentation, the skin either produces too much pigment or the pigment is deposited deep within the skin, resulting in dark spots. When color is lost, it’s called hypopigmentation, which results in light-colored patches. All people with dark skin are at risk for both skin conditions.

What kind of skin condition occurs in dark skin?

When eczema occurs as the result of an inherited tendency, it is known as atopic dermatitis. Eczema is believed to occur twice as frequently in children with dark skin. One study found its incidence is higher in Mexican-American teens than either whites or blacks.

What is the function of the melanocytes in the skin?

To summarize, the melanocytes are specialized cells that contain melanosomes. This organelle produces a pigment that protects the skin from light damage and is responsible for the color of a person’s skin, hair, and eyes.