system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why do the pigments in our skin turn darker when exposed to sunlight? Is it a biological reaction in order to protect our skin?
gpt
Pretty much. While the pigments don't change color, they do change with sun. The pigments that give color to your skin are referred to as melanin (it's a broad term). Melanin, while serving the purpose of a pigment has one very important job, and that is to absorb UV radiation. Your body's cells (specifically melanocytes) produce more melanin and thus cause a darker skin tone. So, while their color doesn't change the concentration does. The increase in melanin and thus UV absorption helps with common ailments such as sunburn, and the much worse skin cancer.