I’m finding the Melanocyte incredibly interesting to study in my Florence Barrett-Hill online course. I’ll share some of what I’m learning 🙂
“Cyte” means “Cell”
“Melanin” is the name of the pigment produced by this cell.
This is our pigment-producing cell, and our 5th line of barrier defense. The melanocyte resembles an octopus with long tentacles known as dendrites. It is responsible for 30-36 keratinocyte cells. “The density of active melanocyte is reduced by 10 to 20% every ten years from the age of 35 onward and that there is no stem cell resource of melanocytes.”
The structural Phototypes 4,5,6 have longer dendrites and reach higher into the Spinosum layer allowing the deposit of melanin closer to the surface. This allows for earlier UVR protection. The Spinosum layer is the thickest layer of our skin.
Phototypes 1,2,3 have shorter dendrites that are more lateral, reaching outward rather than upward. Therefore, less UVR protection due to the lower placement of melanin in the spinosum layer.
Phototypes is the term Florence Barrett-Hill coined. “Understanding how skin responds to UVR exposure has high priority in the skin treatment professions today, as is the correct terminology that enables us all to communicate at one level. To clarify and avoid misunderstanding I suggest that the term Phototype Scale becomes the standard reference as a way to classify the typical response of different colours of skin to ultraviolet exposure.”
CorrrectHP is our “go-to” for pigment correction. For optimal results, include Medium or Ultra Rejuvenator, always beginning with Mild or Medium before introducing Ultra.
