Melanin is the dark pigment found in the hair, skin, and the eye.
Malignant melanoma is rare but very serious.
It is, in fact, the most serious form of skin cancer. Malignant melanoma is linked to overexposure to the sun. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, some doctors believe one severe sunburn can double the chance of developing melanomas during one's lifetime, and two severe sunburns in childhood or adolescence may triple that risk. Melanomas can appear anywhere on the body and enlarge over several months without warning. If you notice black or brown streaks beneath the nails of your fingers or toes, or notice a change in the appearance of moles or other dark spots on the skin, see your health care provider immediately.