Mayo Clinic Care Network Content
Articles

Sun damage

Damage to brown or black skin

Melanin is the brown pigment in the top layer of skin that gives skin its color. Melanin protects the deeper layers of skin from sun damage. The more melanin in the skin, the darker the skin looks, and the more protection it has against sun damage.

People with brown or black skin have more natural protection from the sun than do people with white skin. But darker skin still can be damaged by the sun, resulting in wrinkles and areas of uneven color.