More details about skin colour

There are more types of genes, and the connection between these genes and the colour of the skin was finally established. The difference between men and women is also interesting. Namely, women produce between 3% and 4% less melanin than men of the same population. All people in the world share the same phenomenon. This is because women have an increased need for vitamin D during their pregnancy period. Namely, the increased amount of vitamin needed in this period is due to the growth of a child.

Evolution of skin colour

Evolution of skin coloration was always strongly connected with the environmental factors. The ancient human ancestors had hair on their body. Underneath the hair they had fairer skin colour. The hair provided them protection against the ultraviolet light (UV). When they lost their hair, the fair skin was suddenly exposed to harmful UV rays. Namely, in Africa, where people lived at that time, the sun was very strong. Due to the increased amount of UV light, which is capable of disintegrating the folic acid and consequently producing cancer, the amount of melanin in the skin started to increase and so people’s skin became darker. The major problem of the UV light lays predominantly in the destruction of the folic acid which is crucial for the synthesis of DNA and therefore for the division of cells.

Than people started to migrate. They moved from Africa towards the northern areas, where the sun was not as strong. Here, their dark skin colour, which prevents the transition of most of the UV light through the skin layer, was suddenly only a burden for them. It is true that too much of UV is harmful, but however a certain amount is needed. Namely, the UV light is important for the production of vitamin D. As much as the dark complexion contributes to the maintenance of vitamin B, it can also cause a lack of vitamin D especially in the colder areas. This was the cause for the new appearance of fairer complexion in these parts of the world, since such skin allows higher absorption of the sun, which contributes to the production of vitamin D3, which is in the end necessary for the absorption of calcium and for the growth of bones.

Little sunlight, but dark skin colour

An exception for all this are the Inuit people who have a darker complexion despite living in areas with little sun. The cause for all this is the food they eat. It is composed mainly of fish, which are rich in vitamin D. Since their bodies received enough vitamin D, their skin coloration suited them just fine.

Back to basic description