
Epidermis: light-dark skin
These images compare light (l) and dark (r) skin. In dark skin, the cells of the stratum basale contain much more melanin pigment than those in light skin. While the amount of melanin varies between skin types, the number of melanocytes is similar. 700x

Stratum basale
These images compare light (l) and dark (r) skin. In dark skin, the cells of the stratum basale contain much more melanin pigment than those in light skin. While the amount of melanin varies between skin types, the number of melanocytes is similar. 700x

- Melanocytes
These images compare light (l) and dark (r) skin. In dark skin, the cells of the stratum basale contain much more melanin pigment than those in light skin. While the amount of melanin varies between skin types, the number of melanocytes is similar. 700x

- Melanosomes
These images compare light (l) and dark (r) skin. In dark skin, the cells of the stratum basale contain much more melanin pigment than those in light skin. While the amount of melanin varies between skin types, the number of melanocytes is similar. 700x

Stratum spinosum
These images compare light (l) and dark (r) skin. In dark skin, the cells of the stratum basale contain much more melanin pigment than those in light skin. While the amount of melanin varies between skin types, the number of melanocytes is similar. 700x

Stratum granulosum
These images compare light (l) and dark (r) skin. In dark skin, the cells of the stratum basale contain much more melanin pigment than those in light skin. While the amount of melanin varies between skin types, the number of melanocytes is similar. 700x

Stratum corneum
These images compare light (l) and dark (r) skin. In dark skin, the cells of the stratum basale contain much more melanin pigment than those in light skin. While the amount of melanin varies between skin types, the number of melanocytes is similar. 700x

Dermis (papillary layer)
These images compare light (l) and dark (r) skin. In dark skin, the cells of the stratum basale contain much more melanin pigment than those in light skin. While the amount of melanin varies between skin types, the number of melanocytes is similar. 700x

Image credits >
These images were taken of slides from the University of Iowa and University of Tasmania slide collections.