Melanin in human skin weakens the penetration of ultraviolet and visible light. Overwhelming data demonstrates that melanin in the skin confers protection from sunlight induced skin cancer, and the greater the level of melanin the greater the level of protection. The more melanin present, the less risk of damage to the skin. Melanin particles both scatter and absorb ultraviolet light. Melanin is the sun umbrella of our skin, melanin is the skin's natural defense against UV rays.
Melanin is photoprotective.
Melanin is a free radical scavenger. Melanin is an effective sunscreen in the ultraviolet region. It is estimated that your chances of getting skin cancer are 1 in 6 in the United States. The majority will be men over 50 years old. 800,000 people will develop skin cancer in 1996.