Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Melanin and Suntan 
Name:  Kat Eiler
Status:  student
Age:  19
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
Question:
How do you increase the production of melanin in your body....to achieve a deeper tan??? Does it have anything to do with the amount of vitamin D in the system...and is there a way to increase it without medical intervention???

Replies:
The ability to produce melanin is largely genetic. Certain hormonal conditions and drugs will effect the ability to tan but they all are to my knowledge either not effective, carry considerable risk or are not approved for such use. As with everything in our lives we are to a great extent confined by the genetic composition bestowed on us by our parents and their parents. Scary thought!

PF

Click here to return to the Zoology Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory