Visible light and human skin pigmentation: The importance of skin phototype
Open accessAbstract
Melanin is synthesised within melanocytes and transferred to keratinocytes in human skin, thereby regulating skin colour and protecting skin cells against UVR-induced damage. We commonly divide human skin into six phototypes (SPT)-I to -VI (Fitzpatrick scale) according to the skin's tanning response to UVR. In this pilot study, we investigated the impact of UVR (maximum 311nm), blue (peak 450nm) and green visible light (peak 530nm) on melanin production and type in healthy human skin histocultures (SPT-I, -II and -III). UVR, blue and green light stimulated a surface tanning response in SPT-II and -III, but not SPT-I. Using the Warthin-Starry stain for sensitive melanin detection, all three light treatments induced melanogenesis in SPT-II and -III skin. Surprisingly, blue and green light (but not UVR) stimulated melanin synthesis in SPT-I skin. Moreover, melanin synthesis induced by blue and green visible light in SPT-I, SPT-II, and SPT-III skin was not associated with a detectable increase in DNA damage or cell apoptosis. By contrast, both responses were detected after UVR. These data suggest that blue and green visible light can stimulate melanin production in fair-skinned individuals without, at least some of, the harmful consequences of UVR-induced pigmentation. We are currently examining the molecular basis of UVR-independent melanogenesis in fair skin.
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The FSP scale is commonly used to describe skin pigmentation according to the skin tanning response to UVR.
“The FSP scale is commonly used to describe skin pigmentation according to the skin tanning response to UVR [105,106,107].”
From Skin pigmentation influence on pulse oximetry accuracy: a systematic review and bibliometric analysis (2022) · cites this paper as [107]
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- Authors
- Moreiras, H., O'Connor, C., Bell, M., & Tobin, D. J.
- Affiliations
- University College Dublin (IE)
- Walgreens Boots Alliance Nottingham UK
- Walgreens Boots Alliance (United Kingdom) (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Tobin, Desmond J.
- Venue
- Experimental Dermatology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2021-06-03
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1324-1331
- ISSN
- 0906-6705 (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0625
- OpenAlex
- W3164115702
- Cited by
- 32
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 2.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Experimental Dermatology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatologic Treatments and Research
- Keywords
- Fitzpatrick skin type, melanogenesis, visible light, blue light, green light, ultraviolet radiation, tanning, fair skin, melanocytes, keratinocytes, DNA damage, apoptosis, Warthin-Starry stain
- MeSH terms
- DNA Damage, Humans, Light, Melanins, Pilot Projects, Skin Pigmentation, Ultraviolet Rays, Apoptosis, Healthy Volunteers
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