Why Is Melanin Important? More Than Just Skin Deep

Melanin isn’t just about skin color—here’s what people miss

So, quick story—last week I was talking with my cousin Maya about sunscreen (yes, random convo), and she casually said, “Well, I’ve got melanin, I don’t need all that.” And I paused. Because yes, melanin offers some natural protection, but it's not a magic force field. That comment made me realize: a lot of people still don’t fully understand why melanin is important beyond just being “what gives you color.”

So let’s break it down—like, real talk.

What exactly is melanin?

It’s a pigment, yes—but also a bodyguard

Melanin is a natural pigment produced by special cells called melanocytes. It's found in your skin, hair, eyes, even parts of your brain and inner ear. There are actually a few types—eumelanin (brown/black), pheomelanin (red/yellow), and neuromelanin (which hangs out in your brain, crazy right?).

It’s not just “the thing that makes you tan or dark or light.” Melanin plays a critical role in your body’s defense system.

Melanin and sun protection: nature’s built-in SPF

Shields your cells from UV radiation

This is probably the most well-known benefit: melanin absorbs and disperses UV rays from the sun. Without that protection, ultraviolet radiation can damage DNA in your skin cells—leading to sunburns, premature aging, and yeah, skin cancer.

Melanin doesn’t make you immune, though. Let me repeat that: melanin ≠ invincibility.

I used to think my naturally tan skin meant I didn’t need sunscreen. Rookie mistake. After a painful sunburn on my shoulders in Puerto Rico (and three solid days of aloe vera), I finally got it.

Beyond the skin: other roles of melanin in the body

In your eyes: light control and retina protection

Ever wonder why people with lighter eyes are more sensitive to bright lights? It’s melanin. Your irises use it to filter light and protect the retina. Less melanin = more glare sensitivity.

In your brain: possibly linked to neural health

This one’s still being studied, but neuromelanin (yes, that's a thing) exists in areas of the brain tied to movement and dopamine production. Some researchers think it might be connected to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.

I had no clue about this until I read a paper my friend Lena (a neuroscience grad student) shared. She’s convinced we’re only scratching the surface of how powerful melanin really is.

What happens when your body has too little—or too much?

Low melanin: albinism, sun sensitivity, and risk factors

People with albinism produce little to no melanin. This makes their skin extremely sensitive to UV light, and their eyes prone to damage. It’s not just about appearance—it’s about real, constant vulnerability.

High melanin: more protection, but still not full immunity

Yes, more melanin can mean better resistance to UV damage, but there’s a flip side—certain skin conditions are also more common in melanin-rich skin, like hyperpigmentation or keloid scarring.

Also, some doctors still don't get enough training on how conditions show up on darker skin tones, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. That’s a whole other issue—don’t even get me started.

Why melanin matters—emotionally, historically, personally

It's biology. It's identity. It's power.

Melanin has also been the center of cultural pride and systemic discrimination. Entire movements have emerged around celebrating melanated skin—“Black is Beautiful” wasn’t just a slogan, it was a rebellion against a world that treated dark skin as something to fix.

I remember growing up hearing, “Don’t stay in the sun, you’ll get too dark.” It took me a while to unlearn that. Now? I embrace it. And I protect it—sunscreen and all.

Final thoughts: melanin is more than skin color—it’s essential

Melanin isn’t just a pigment. It’s a protective agent, a signal of genetic adaptation, a piece of your identity, and—let’s be real—a biological superpower in many ways.

But even superpowers have limits. Respect it. Protect it. Learn about it.

And next time someone says, “You’ve got melanin, you’re fine”—maybe remind them it’s a gift… not a shield.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.