Know Your History: African American skin have larger melanosomes (cells that determine skin color) and the melanosomes contain more of the pigment melanin than those found in other skin. Because of the protective effect of melanin, African-Americans are better protected against skin cancer and premature wrinkling from sun exposure. It is well known that melanin in brown skin provides protection from the ravages of aging due to ultraviolet light (UVL). In fact, the melanin in African American skin provides a natural sun protection factor (SPF) of about 13.4 as compared to 3.4 in other skin. Therefore, melanin in the skin of African Americans accounts for the fact that they often appear younger.