Factors that darken your skin?

Other than age and spending time in the sun, what else can darken your skin?


I was really fair when I was younger, but now I'm quite dark... it's almost like a permanent tan, haha. My mom believes it's because I don't "eat properly" - is that a factor? What else may have contributed?

Factors that darken your skin?
Nothing wrong with being dark skinned or light skinned. But factors that keeps you dark definately including being under the sun constantly. If you were indoors most of the time then your skin would become pale and lighter. Besides we all need some sun to have a nice healthy glow.





Food does have some effect towards your skin but is it not so dramatic unless you are always eating carrots and your skin turned orange! Otherwise improper eating habits does not make you darker.
Reply:Your skin is broken down into layers. The lowest of these layers contains cells callled melanocytes, which produce melanin, the product that gives pigmentation to just about anything in your body; hair, eyes, skin and so on. Melanin also acts as a sunscreen and protects the skin from ultraviolet light.





Knowing that piece of information, the color of your skin will depend on your genetic makeup and cultural background. Most dark skinned people come from areas were lots melanin is needed for survival. Light skinned people usually come from regions were the sun exposure is low.





So the main factors for pigmentation of your skin really comes down to just three: Sun Exposure (because you body adapts to environment) Genetics, and mutations (DNA mutations).