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Skin And Synthesis Essay

Decent Essays

Most people have the same amount of melanocytes present in the skin. Melanocytes are located in the stratum basale, and are specialized cells that produce melanin. However, the differences present in skin tones across the human race is due to how much melanin the body’s melanocytes produce. Melanin is the body’s natural sunscreen and protects us from the sun’s powerful and potentially harmful UV rays. While UV rays can cause skin cancer, in appropriate amounts it helps the body produce Vitamin D (cholecalciferol). Over time and many generations, the people further from the equator began to have a lighter skin color due to the fact that they were producing less melanin in response to absorbing less sunlight and UV rays. Meanwhile the people …show more content…

Other things such as carotene and blood flow influence skin color as well. Freckles are indicative of uneven melanin production, and can become more apparent due to sun exposure. It is believed that this uneven production is genetically passed down.
Wrinkles will occur naturally on their own due to skin becoming less elastic and natural oil production to slow as the body ages. Ultraviolet radiation exposure can speed up the natural aging process and cause your skin’s elastic and collagenous fibers in your connective tissue to begin to break down. Without these fibers to support your skin’s overall structure the skin begins to become saggy and appear wrinkly. Smoking can also contribute to the premature appearance of wrinkles as well as repeated facial expressions such as smiling or laughing.
Eczema can often be diagnosed by looking at it. Typically eczema on the skin appears as very dry patches that can be reddish in color. The dryness also contributes to the scale-like feeling of eczema if touched. If the patient also reports itching, it makes it even easier for a doctor or dermatologist to diagnose eczema. The key to taking care of eczema is to practice good skin hygiene and be ultra-diligent about moisturizing skin to decrease itching and obviousness of

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