Melanin and stuff

1⃣ Melanoma (↑ abnormal melanin production)

What it is

Melanoma is a malignant skin cancer that develops from melanocytes.

What goes wrong with melanin

  • Melanocytes become cancerous and produce irregular pigment

  • This leads to new or changing moles, often darker or uneven in colour

Key risk factors

  • Excessive UV exposure

  • Sunburns, especially in childhood

  • Fair skin (less protective melanin)

Why it’s important

  • It’s less common than other skin cancers but more dangerous

  • Can spread (metastasise) if not caught early

Interview phrase you can use:

“Melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes, where abnormal melanin production often causes changing or irregularly pigmented skin lesions.”

2⃣ Vitiligo (↓ melanin production)

What it is

Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition where the immune system destroys melanocytes.

What happens to melanin

  • Loss of melanocytes → no melanin

  • Results in well-defined white patches on the skin

Key features

  • Not contagious

  • Not life-threatening

  • Often associated with other autoimmune diseases (e.g. thyroid disease)

Why it matters

  • Mainly affects quality of life and mental health

  • Skin is more vulnerable to sunburn in affected areas

Interview phrase:

“Vitiligo occurs when autoimmune destruction of melanocytes leads to loss of melanin and depigmented skin patches.”

3⃣ Albinism (melanin production defect)

What it is

Albinism is a genetic condition affecting melanin production from birth.

What goes wrong

  • Melanocytes are present but can’t produce melanin properly

  • Affects skin, hair, and eyes

Key consequences

  • Very light skin and hair

  • Visual problems (because melanin is important for eye development)

  • Increased risk of sun damage

Interview phrase:

“In albinism, melanocytes are present but melanin synthesis is impaired due to genetic mutations.”

4⃣ Hyperpigmentation disorders (↑ melanin)

Examples

  • Melasma (often linked to pregnancy or hormones)

  • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (after acne or injury)

What happens

  • Overproduction of melanin in certain areas

  • Leads to dark patches of skin

Why it matters

  • Usually benign

  • Can have psychological impact

5⃣ Addison’s disease (indirect melanin increase)

What it is

A condition where the adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol.

Link to melanin

  • Increased ACTH also stimulates melanocytes

  • Causes generalised skin darkening

Interview link: