by Diana Clarke
"Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is responsible for 90% of the visible signs of
aging on the skin of whites," says Dr. Michael J. Martin, former Assistant
Clinical Professor in the Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at University
of California, San Francisco.
Blacks' skin, however, ages much slower.
Why are most dark-skinned blacks protected from harmful UV rays? Because
compared to whites, blacks possess more melanin, the pigment that gives skin its
color.
Melanin
Melanin offers protection against UV rays for blacks and other dark-skinned
people. Conversely, fair-skinned people are much less protected and more
susceptible to skin cancer. Furthermore, albinos' skin offers no protection.
Although blacks' skin produces more melanin than whites', all skin has the
same number of melanocytes, the cells that manufacture the melanin.
Melanocytes manufacture melanin from an amino acid, tyrosin, with the help of
an enzyme, tyrosinase. In the bottom layer of the epidermis above the dermis, UV
light stimulates the production of melanin in the form of insoluble melanosomes.
These surround the epidermal cells, which move up to the surface of the skin.
The result is a tan.
Blacks' skin produce more melanin, even in the absence of sunlight, and their
type of melanin, eumelanin, is more effective at blocking solar rays. However,
white skin produces melanin only in the presence of sunlight and after the UV
rays have penetrated the lower portion of the epidermis and have caused skin
damage.
"Melanin also functions as an excellent free radical scavenger. It affects
the delicately designed lipids that hold moisture in the stratum corneum (the
outermost layer of the epidermis). If the skin loses its moisture, it becomes
rigid and cracks," says Sergio Nacht, PhD., Senior Vice-President of Enhanced
Derm Technologies, Inc. in Redwood City.
UV Radiation and Skin
UV-A has the longest wavelength, is not filtered by the ozone and passes
through glass. It reaches the earth all year long and the amount is
comparatively stable. It can penetrate the skin down to the dermis, beneath the
four layers of epidermis. It is responsible for most of the visible signs of
aging, due to damage to collagen and elastic fibers of the connective tissue of
the dermis.
UV-A radiation also plays a role in the development of sunburns and skin
cancer. Tanning salon lamps emit a large amount of UV-A rays to generate tans,
so the American Academy of Dermatology does not recommend their use.
UV-B radiation, which is partially filtered by the ozone, penetrates the skin
to the bottom layer of the epidermis where the basal cells are produced. UV-B
can break the molecular bonds, disturbing the dividing cells and altering their
structure. Compared with UV-A, UV-B is responsible for most of DNAs damage. It
also causes most sunburns. During a sunburn the reddening of the skin, erythema,
is caused by dilation of capillaries.
More UV-B is present during summer months between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and at
latitudes closer to the equator. Furthermore, at high altitudes the air is
thinner and cleaner, so UV-B radiation is more abundant.
UV-C, which is generally filtered by the ozone, has the shortest wavelength
and the most energy, or intensity. It can sterilize hospital equipment and kill
bacteria.
In addition, UV light that reaches the earth is scattered in all directions,
and up to 85% is reflected from surfaces.
The Theory of Melanin for Environmental Adaptation
Originally, people of a particular race resided in a particular area. As time
went on, their skin adapted to the environment. For instance, people who lived
geographically close to the equator had darker skin, and people who lived far
from the equator had lighter skin.
In Scotland, which lies at a northern latitude, descendants of the Britons
have white skin. When their skin is exposed to the meager sunlight, the scant
amount of melanin their skin produces is unable to block the sunlight.
Therefore, their bodies are able to make Vitamin D with the help of sunlight.
Vitamin D, a vitamin found in fish oil, is necessary to prevent rickets, a bone
disease caused by too little calcium.
In contrast, in Africa, which is near the equator, blacks require intense
sunlight to penetrate their dark skin to make Vitamin D. This is all well and
good. However, when blacks lived in England during the Industrial Revolution,
they were the first to develop symptoms of rickets, such as retarded growth,
bowed legs and fractures because not enough sunlight was available.
Fortunately, in 1930, Vitamin D was discovered and dispensed as a supplement
to add to the diet.
On the other hand, the skin of whites in Australia are in complete opposition
to their climate. Consequently, intense UV radiation has been the major cause of
skin damage and skin cancer Down Under.
About The Author
Diana Clarke is a teacher, freelance writer and founder of The Sun and Your
Skin, a website on life and light at http://www.yourskinandsun.com.
dianaclarke2001@yahoo.com
Article Source:ArticleCity.com
