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.