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Manuel Francisco Allende, MD

JAMA. 1972;220(11):1443-1447.

Abstract
Melanin pigmentation plays an important part in adaptation to the environment. It protects against the carcinogenic effects of actinic radiation. As man migrated away from the tropics, the lightening of the species might have been due to a decreased need for this protection as well as to the need of a lighter skin to allow proper synthesis of vitamin D. New adaptations to sunnier climates might be accompanied by reverse darkening. The reason for the darkening of hair from infancy into adulthood needs studying as well as the differences in texture and coloring between scalp and beard hair. The sociological implications of skin pigmentation are serious. Sufferers from pigmentary disturbances need strong emotional support in addition to the standard forms of treatment.

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Dermatology, University of California School of Medicine, and the Service of Dermatology, Children's Hospital of San Francisco, San Francisco.

Footnotes
Read at the 23rd annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatological Association, Guadalajara, Mexico, Oct 22, 1971.

Reprint requests to 490 Post St, San Francisco 94102 (Dr. Allende).

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