HEAVILY MELANIZED SKIN
The color of the skin depends upon two factors. First of all, an increase or decrease of blood flow through the skin will alter its color. Most of the skin’s color is due to a brown pigment, melanin. Melanin is synthesized by melanocytes. These cells are located at the bottom of the epidermis (see arrow). The degree of activity of these cells is determined by hereditary and exposure to environmental ultra-violet light.