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why does our skin gets dark when exposed to the sun?

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soonny | 12:35 Thu 08th May 2003 | How it Works
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why does our skin gets dark when exposed to the sun?
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One's skin reacts to damage done by UV light by producing melanin. Browning occurs when UV light oxidises melanin. http://www.acnecontrol.com/teenstuff.htm
but if we had genetic and evolutionary smarts you'd expect equatorial people to be white to reflect the heat and people closer to the poles to be black to absorb the heat, so are we not very adaptive?
UV light, which causes tanning is distructive to tissue and cause premature aging of the skin if not protected and carries the risk fo cancer. Infrared light, also from the sun, is the part that carried the heat. This doesn't burn the skin. Think about it this way. Skiers get sun burnt despite being in cold temperatures. This is due to clear skies and UV light reflected of the snow. Hope that helps xyzzy

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