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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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