Effects of Ultraviolet Exposure Behaviors on Skin Pigmentation and Melanoma

Abstract

Tanning refers to the practice of darkening the pigment of one's skin through exposure to natural sunlight or artificial Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Studies have explored the molecular mechanism of tanning induced by UV radiation exposure. UV radiation triggers DNA damage in the nucleus of keratinocytes, which induces production of melanin by melanocytes. The melanin is then transported to keratinocytes and manifests as darker pigmentation. An increasing amount of data accumulate to support a role for UV exposure in the development of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. This article reviews the body of literature reporting the effects of UV exposure on melanocyte biology, skin pigmentation, and melanoma.