RIsk Factors For Melanoma

Skin Tone

An individual's skin tone is determined by the amount of melanin present in the skin because it can help with protecting the skin against ultraviolet rays from the sun. Melanocytes are the cells that create melanin for the skin, and all skin tones have the same quantity of melanocytes. It is the quantity of melanin those cells produce that varies and determines whether an individual will have lighter or darker skin. Due to the property of melanin to protect from ultraviolet rays and having a brown pigment, individuals with more melanin in their skin tend to have a lower risk of developing melanoma than those who have very fair skin. Melanin is also responsible for the eye color and the natural tone of an individual's hair. Thus, individuals with green, blue, and light grey eyes are more likely to develop melanoma than those who have black, brown, or hazel eyes. Likewise, individuals with light blonde or red hair have an increased risk of developing melanoma than those with darker natural hair colors. Many individuals with darker skin often have the misconception they cannot get skin cancer from sun exposure. This is not true, as these individuals simply do not have as high of a risk of developing melanoma from ultraviolet damage, but they can still have a moderate risk depending on other lifestyle factors.