Milady Esthetics State Board Practice Test

Ethnic skin types tend to contain what compared to Caucasian skin types?

1. Less melanin

2. More melanin

3. More sebum

4. Less hair follicles

The correct answer is: More melanin

Ethnic skin types typically contain more melanin compared to Caucasian skin types. Melanin is the pigment responsible for the coloration of skin, hair, and eyes, and its production is influenced by genetic factors as well as environmental exposures, particularly UV light. Individuals with darker skin tones generally have a higher concentration of melanin, which serves as a natural protector against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, thus reducing the risk of skin cancer. The increased melanin levels in ethnic skin types also contribute to the skin's unique characteristics, such as a more noticeable hyperpigmentation pattern or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which can occur after skin injuries or inflammation. Understanding melanin's role in different skin types is crucial for estheticians, as it affects how treatments and products are applied and what potential reactions may occur. While some skin types may have variations in sebum production or hair follicle density, these attributes vary widely among individuals and do not specifically correlate with ethnic backgrounds in the same consistent manner as melanin levels.