Skin 'sees' UV light, starts producing pigment
Thursday, November 3, 2011 - 13:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Biologists report that melanocyte skin cells detect ultraviolet light using a photosensitive receptor previously thought to exist only in the eye. This eye-like ability of skin to sense light triggers the production of melanin within hours, more quickly than previously thought, in an apparent rush to protect against damage to DNA.