Slide show: Sun damage

• Slides:
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10

Damage to darker skin

Melanin is the dark brown pigment in the top layer of skin (epidermis) that gives skin its normal color. This pigment protects the deeper layers of skin from sun damage. The more melanin in the skin, the darker the skin appears and the more protection it has against sun damage.

Though people with medium or dark complexions naturally have more protection than do people with lighter complexions, they still can experience sun damage. This man has dark skin, but his face still shows signs of sun damage — increased areas of irregular pigmentation and wrinkles.

1. Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Edinburgh, U.K.; New York, N.Y.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..X0001-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed July 13, 2012.
2. Longo DL, et al. Harrison's Online. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=4. Accessed July 13, 2012.
3. Chien AL, et al. Photoaging. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed July 13, 2012.
4. Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=45. Accessed July 13, 2012.
5. Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=505. Accessed July 13, 2012.
6. Goldstein BG, et al. Melasma. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed July 13, 2012.