Washington Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is designed to protect the skin from the sun, but can be destroyed by large doses of UV light?

1. Collagen

2. Keratin

3. Melanin

4. Vitamin D

The correct answer is: Melanin

Melanin is the correct answer as it is the pigment produced by melanocytes in the skin and plays a crucial role in protecting the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) light. It absorbs UV radiation, which helps to prevent damage to the DNA in skin cells, thus reducing the risk of skin cancer and other skin conditions. However, excessive exposure to UV light can overwhelm the skin's ability to produce melanin sufficiently, leading to potential destruction or alteration of this protective pigment. In contrast, collagen is a structural protein that provides strength and elasticity to the skin but does not specifically serve as a protective measure against UV light. Keratin is a protein that makes up the outer layer of skin and nails and offers some protective qualities but is not a primary line of defense against UV radiation. Vitamin D is produced when the skin is exposed to sunlight and is important for various bodily functions, including bone health, but it itself does not protect against UV damage. This distinction highlights why melanin stands out as the key factor in providing protection against the sun while being susceptible to destruction through excessive UV exposure.