Pigments of the skin

There are two forms of melanin pigment:

• Eumelanin which is produced in brown skin colours
• Phaeomelanin which is found in lighter skins

Both forms of pigment can be found together but the amount will vary

Skins that have more melanin will have a darker skin, this will provide more natural protection against sunburn than skins that have less melanin and have a lighter skin colour.

The Fitzpatrick scale is often used to classify skin colouring and often referred to within aesthetics.