What does the substance melanin control?

What does the substance melanin control? Melanin controls the color of the skin. It is a natural pigment produced mainly by melanocytes, specialized cells located in the skin's basal epidermis. These cells package melanin into structures called melanosomes and transfer them to nearby skin cells.

The amount and type of melanin influence visible pigmentation. Eumelanin contributes brown and black tones, while pheomelanin contributes lighter red and yellow tones. Differences in genes, melanin production, melanosome size, and how pigment is distributed help explain the wide range of human skin colors.

Melanin also helps protect cells from ultraviolet radiation by absorbing some of the sun's energy. The answer is commonly simplified to skin color, but melanin also contributes to hair and eye color. It does not work like a switch that independently controls every change in complexion: sunlight, hormones, inflammation, aging, and certain medical conditions can all alter pigmentation by changing melanin production or distribution.