Melanin, the pigment in human skin, plays a crucial role in protecting against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This review discusses the protective effects of melanin against UV-induced damage, including DNA damage, skin cancer, and immunosuppression. Melanin functions as a broad-spectrum UV absorber, antioxidant, and radical scavenger. It is also involved in the regulation of skin pigmentation and melanogenesis, which can influence the skin's ability to repair UV-induced damage. UV radiation, particularly UVB, causes DNA damage, leading to mutations and skin cancer. Melanin helps protect against this damage by absorbing UV radiation and reducing its penetration into the skin. However, melanin can also have toxic effects, especially when exposed to UV radiation, as it can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and contribute to DNA damage. The protective role of melanin is influenced by its distribution in the skin, with eumelanin being more effective than pheomelanin in photoprotection. Melanin also plays a role in the regulation of skin pigmentation, with constitutive and facultative pigmentation mechanisms. The relationship between melanin and UV protection is complex, with factors such as skin type, UV exposure, and melanin content influencing the extent of protection. Overall, melanin is a key factor in protecting against UV-induced damage, but its role in preventing skin cancer is still debated. Understanding the mechanisms of melanin's protective effects is important for developing strategies to prevent UV-induced skin damage and cancer.Melanin, the pigment in human skin, plays a crucial role in protecting against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This review discusses the protective effects of melanin against UV-induced damage, including DNA damage, skin cancer, and immunosuppression. Melanin functions as a broad-spectrum UV absorber, antioxidant, and radical scavenger. It is also involved in the regulation of skin pigmentation and melanogenesis, which can influence the skin's ability to repair UV-induced damage. UV radiation, particularly UVB, causes DNA damage, leading to mutations and skin cancer. Melanin helps protect against this damage by absorbing UV radiation and reducing its penetration into the skin. However, melanin can also have toxic effects, especially when exposed to UV radiation, as it can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and contribute to DNA damage. The protective role of melanin is influenced by its distribution in the skin, with eumelanin being more effective than pheomelanin in photoprotection. Melanin also plays a role in the regulation of skin pigmentation, with constitutive and facultative pigmentation mechanisms. The relationship between melanin and UV protection is complex, with factors such as skin type, UV exposure, and melanin content influencing the extent of protection. Overall, melanin is a key factor in protecting against UV-induced damage, but its role in preventing skin cancer is still debated. Understanding the mechanisms of melanin's protective effects is important for developing strategies to prevent UV-induced skin damage and cancer.