Why Does Sunlight Lighten Hair But Darken Skin?

Melanin is the pigment that gives color to hair and skin. However, sun rays cause different changes in the color of the hair and skin.

The sun is a vital energy source for living things. At the same time, sunlight is an essential component of many biochemical processes. However, ultraviolet wavelength rays coming from the Sun can cause harmful effects on people.

The melanin pigment, which gives color to the skin, also absorbs high-energy ultraviolet rays and helps protect the skin against the harmful effects of sun rays. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes in the skin. The main reason for the darkening that occurs in the skin color with the effect of the sun rays is that when the sun is exposed, the skin melanocyte cells start to produce more melanin pigment.

Hair follicle is the living part of the hair where biochemical processes take place. The melanin pigment in the structure of the hair strands that begin to grow inside the hair root gives the hair its color. The rays in the ultraviolet wavelength lead to changes in the chemical structure of the melanin pigment. Since no biochemical processes take place inside the hair, this condition, which causes the hair to lighten, is permanent until the hair grows.