By Chrys Antoniou

Melanocytes are developed from special nerve tissue in the embryonic stage of development of human life. This nerve tissue is located in an area called the neural crest which is also responsible for the nervous systems sympathetic, parasympathetic and sensory nerves. It is also found in the ears,eyes,mucous membranes hair and skin

 Where

are they found? Melanocytes are found in the stratum germinativum layer of the Epidermis also known as the Basale layer. Melanocytes contain melanosomes which carry little packets of pigment called melanin into the surrounding keratinocytes.

Melanocytes are pigment carrying cells. They have a dendritic shape which means they have arms, rather like an octopus These arms carry pigment(melanin) through their denrites into surrounding keratinocytes The melanin is passed to the keratinocytes through a process called phagocytosis, that is the keratinocytes bite off the end of the dendritic arm to gain access to the melanin

 It

has also been suggested that the dendrites inject the melanin into the surrounding cells.

This

seems much more civilised

More Facts

We have 1 melanocyte to every 36 keratinocytes The concentration of melanocytes varies around our body. On the head its around 1,930 and on the foot it is considerably more, around 2,840.

Light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum It is a form of energy which comes in energy parcels or photons Photons travel in waves Waves can be long or short The distance between the top of the waves is a measure of their intensity (energy) The closer the top of the wave the more energy per photon (or parcel)

 Causes

damage to chemicals, cells and

tissues Triggers a defensive response by: Thickening of the epidermis (hyper proliferation of keratinocytes) Hyper activity of the melanocytes (tanning)

 Increased

production of more melanincoated melanosomes. Greater protection to the underlying chemicals, cells and tissues.

 To

blood cells and endothelial (outer) linings Collagen and Elastin (fibrous proteins) Fibroblasts and mast cells(white blood cells) Nerve cells and receptors Langerhans cells of the Immune system

Due to their higher melanin content and their shape and distribution of melanosomes darker skins absorb 70% of UV Light skins absorb only 25% Light skins reflect around 60% of uv rays where as in dark skins it is only 25% Only 5% of UV that penetrates the horny layer of dark skin goes as deep as the papillary layer of the dermis as opposed to 15% with light skin.

 M.E.D

= minimal erythemal dose Minimal erythemal dose is the amount of time your skin takes to go pink/red in the sun without any sun protection. The average M.E.D is 6-10minutes

 Even

though only a very small amount of UVB hits the surface of the earth the erythema effect on the skin is high With UVA, the sun predominantly hits the surface of the skin and the erythema effect is only produced when exposed to very high amounts.

Skin type
I

Typical Features
Pale white skin, blue/hazel eyes, blond/red hair Fair skin, blue eyes Darker white skin Light brown skin Brown skin

Tanning ability
Always burns, does not tan Burns easily, tans poorly Tans after initial burn Burns minimally, tans easily Rarely burns, tans darkly easily

II III IV V

VI

Dark brown or black Never burns, always skin tans darkly

Med can happen through: Short exposure to UVB Long exposure to UVA Skin develops a delayed erythema within hours. It is an inflammatory response from chemicals released from cells that are damaged. Sunburn is noticed hours before it is actually felt-there is a time delay

 Effects

on keratinocytes and melanocytes can be long term even after just one M.E.D exposure

 Infections
Medications Connective

tissue disorders e.g. rash,

eczema etc Harsh skin care products Waxing, massage (tapotement),facial massage

Response to sunburn: 6hrs - dramatic reduction in Stratum Germinatum (basale layer) mitosis 72 hours- acceleration of mitosis Days- mitotic rate gradually decreases (healthy cells are being formed) Weeks mitosis returns to normal A SINGLE SUNBURN CAN TAKE UP TO 6 WEEKS TO RECOVER FROM!

 2x

to 3x increase in number of keratinocytes (to carry more melanin) Increased Epidermal thickness (hyper proliferation) Protective blanket over Basale cell,langerhan cells and Dermis

 Increase

in number and length of dendrites Increase in melanosome production

These

result in Delayed Tanning (DT) which is long lasting Immediate tanning (IT) is when the existing melanosomes darken. This only lasts a few hours and fades

 Physical-

work by reflecting light E.g.: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, (broad spectrum ,UVA and UVB) Chemical- Absorbs and neutralises UVA and UVB rays E.g.: Avobenzone (parsol 1789),(uva &B) Octinoxate(UVB), octisalate(UVB), oxybenzone (UVB and UVA up to 350nm)

Photoageing- premature ageing of the skin, lines wrinkes,loss of firmness and density Solar elastosis-break down of Elastin causing vertical creases in the skin and wrinkles Epidermal thickening-uneven skin surface, rough and dull looking Hyperpigmentation-dark patches e.g. solar lentigos, melasma(chloasma),solar keratosis Hypopigmentation-loss of pigment due to absence of melanin.(can be caused from sunburn) Erythema-redness

 What

is melanin and where is it found? What 3 UV rays do we have in our atmosphere? What is M.E.D? How long is the average M.E.D? What are the 2 types of sunscreens? Name an undesirable effect of UVA and UVB exposure?