title: Photoprotective properties of skin melanin.
abstract: Melanins are a ubiquitous class of biological pigments, which play an important role in the photoprotection of skin. Recent advances in the chemistry of melanins have demonstrated their diversity. The various types of melanin show different physico-chemical properties, suggesting that their photobiological properties are not unique. In this review, the implications of melanin diversity for the natural photoprotection of skin are discussed.
authors.affiliation: CHU Nice, Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital l'Archet 2, BP 3079, 06202 Nice cedex, France. ortonne@unice.fr
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ortonne
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000502:physiology*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins