2. There are so many
different shades of skin
colour.
Have you ever wondered
why others have lighter or
darker complexion than
you?
3. What are Melanocytes?
Melanocytes are special cells in our skin that
specialize in making a molecule called
melanin.
What is Melanin?
Melanin is something called a pigment, which
is the molecule that gives our skin colour a
darker shade.
4. What does melanin actually do?
Melanin protects our skin from the damaging
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.
Going sun tanning induces your body to produce
more melanin, which is why people who return
from tanning look darker.
More melanin in the skin is the reason why people
who are darker usually do not get sunburned.
5. In our skin, we all have around the same
number of melanocytes, which are the cells
that produce melanin.
However, the melanocytes in each of our
bodies produce different amounts of
melanin.
The more melanin you have in your skin, the
darker your skin colour will be.
6. Which of these two men has more Melanin in his skin??
Which has more melanocytes??
7. Which of these two women has more Melanin in his skin??
Which has more melanocytes??
8. Vitiligo
It is a skin condition that can manifest after birth at any
point in someone’s life.
It leads to death or loss of function of the melanocytes in
the body, which leads to the inability to produce any more
melanin in the skin.
Vitiligo is very visible on someone with a very dark
complexion due to the prevalence of white splotches of
skin.
Vitiligo: Melanin Related Condition
9. It usually usually starts out in small, isolated
patches, but can spread all over the body.
The rate of which the patches
spreads across the body varies
from person to person.
10. • Michael Jackson is a prominent celebrity who is
rumored to have had vitiligo.
• He supposedly always wore a lot of masking/
camouflage make-up in photos and in videos in order
to mask the patches in his skin.
• Do you think he had vitiligo? Why or Why not?
11. How is the Vitiligo acquired?
Scientists are not sure, but think there are several factors that can lead
to it including genetic, and environmental factors.
Is it contagious?
No, you can not get it from being around, or touching someone who
has it.
Does it hurt?
No, the process does not involve any physical pain, although many
people who have it may go through some emotional problems due to
their appearance.
Is there a cure?
No there is not a cure, but there are treatments to reduce the effects
of the condition. Many people wear make up in order to mask the
white patches on their skin.
