Why does pale skin tan?
All skin will tan, not just pale skin. Skin cells contain a pigment called melanin. When UV rays hit these cells it causes the melanin to react as a protective force. Melanin is excited by the UV rays which causes it to expand and fill more of the skin cell. Melanin acts as the bodies own sunscreen to try and keep the skin from burning when you are in a sunny environment. That is why very tan people can stay out in the sun for longer periods of time. Over time, a tan will “stay” if you are constantly exposed to high levels of UV rays. Of course, you can get the tan to go away if you limit your exposure to UV rays. Black people also have melanin in their skin but they have a greater amount. Through evolution, white people have lost the need for that much melanin to be ever present in skin cells. However, melanin will NOT prevent skin cancer.
