The skin is said to be the largest performing organ in the body due to its three layered skin which all perform different tasks simultaneously. The epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer) are the two main top layers of the skin followed by the lower subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis is the main component of the skin because it contains millions of important cells called melanocytes (Gohara and Perez 1). These melanocytes produce melanin which provides the skin with pigment (skin color) that play an important role in allowing the skin to become a natural sun block. Despite this, there are many individuals such as Caucasian men and albinos who lack the melanocytes needed to protect the skin. Because their skin produces a very weak
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UVR exerts many effects on the skin, including tanning, carcinogenesis (Tran, Schulman, Fisher 510). Skin color as well plays a major role in the development of skin cancer. Whites are far more likely to acquire skin cancer than Africans. Their inherently light skin color and low amounts of melanin leave them vulnerable to the sun’s carcinogenic (cancer-causing) ultraviolet rays. Age is also a factor in the development of skin cancers such as basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma due to the fact that older people have been more exposed to the sun and because their skin becomes weaker and more vulnerable to ill health. According to Mona Gohara and Maritza Perez, from the Skin Cancer Fou ndation, between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have either BCC or SCC at least once. Skin cancers are also being found in younger aged people as well because they are spending more time in the sun without protecting their skin (National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention …show more content…
Cells in the epidermis called melanocytes provide the skin with melanin which gives the skin its color. Melanocytes which are located on the lower section of the epidermis produce melanin which provides the skin with certain pigments that give the skin its color Melanin is what protects the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Based on their melanin levels and amount of protection towards the sun, races and ethnicities are classified under 6 different phototypes. The phototype I is classified as the most exposed type of skin in humans. This skin is extremely susceptible to sun damage and especially skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. This is also the type of skin in which people may acquire the most common and deadliest form of skin cancer, Melanoma. This type of skin is of course found in Caucasians or white, pale people who live in very low UV exposed areas of the Earth. Just like phototype I, phototype II is just as susceptible to skin cancer as well as skin damage and almost always burn in the sun. Jumping to phototype 5, these types of skin are the complete opposite of phototypes I-II. This phototype has very special, well developed melanocytes which help reduce the amount of sun damage towards the skin as well as the development of skin cancers. Phototype VI is the last and most protective coat of skin in any human
UVR exerts many effects on the skin, including tanning, carcinogenesis (Tran, Schulman, Fisher 510). Skin color as well plays a major role in the development of skin cancer. Whites are far more likely to acquire skin cancer than Africans. Their inherently light skin color and low amounts of melanin leave them vulnerable to the sun’s carcinogenic (cancer-causing) ultraviolet rays. Age is also a factor in the development of skin cancers such as basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma due to the fact that older people have been more exposed to the sun and because their skin becomes weaker and more vulnerable to ill health. According to Mona Gohara and Maritza Perez, from the Skin Cancer Fou ndation, between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have either BCC or SCC at least once. Skin cancers are also being found in younger aged people as well because they are spending more time in the sun without protecting their skin (National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention …show more content…
Cells in the epidermis called melanocytes provide the skin with melanin which gives the skin its color. Melanocytes which are located on the lower section of the epidermis produce melanin which provides the skin with certain pigments that give the skin its color Melanin is what protects the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Based on their melanin levels and amount of protection towards the sun, races and ethnicities are classified under 6 different phototypes. The phototype I is classified as the most exposed type of skin in humans. This skin is extremely susceptible to sun damage and especially skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. This is also the type of skin in which people may acquire the most common and deadliest form of skin cancer, Melanoma. This type of skin is of course found in Caucasians or white, pale people who live in very low UV exposed areas of the Earth. Just like phototype I, phototype II is just as susceptible to skin cancer as well as skin damage and almost always burn in the sun. Jumping to phototype 5, these types of skin are the complete opposite of phototypes I-II. This phototype has very special, well developed melanocytes which help reduce the amount of sun damage towards the skin as well as the development of skin cancers. Phototype VI is the last and most protective coat of skin in any human