# Skin sparkles ... and NOT on Edward Cullen. How? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 6, 2010, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693 "2010-07-06T09:12:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rabbi101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@rabbi101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbi101)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/1 "2010-07-06T09:12:45Z")
Hi. I’m a white person who’s been a lot of places, but every where I go where there are black people, a small percentage of them have–for lack of a better description–tiny sparkles in their skin! I don’t mean a tan, or glistening sweat, or any kind of sun radiation. It’s hard to describe, but it is a FACT. Some darker skinned (and some golden skinned) black people have sparkles in their melanin. I looked under a magnifying glass. And it’s just some, and usually they have dark skin. I tried to study up on this, and found a bit, but not much. I was just curious … It’s quite pretty, but you have to look for it to notice it; does it have something to do with trace metals in the system? Just trying to figure it out … Is it prismatic, reflective eye tricks, what? Related questions, casting a wide net looking to answer this question for someone myself as a mini-Cecil: Is melanin resistant to radiation? I was reading about the mushrooms at Chernobyl (a good number of articles): they exist and thrive, but nothing else does–but they sucked up the black and brown melanin from the ground to do it. Thriving, but radioactive, black mushrooms. Are they as edible as Beyonce? 🙂 The white mushrooms died. There was another article on using these ‘melanized mushroom’ particles to make a UV-protective space suit, or a synthetic variant of this for coating a space suit in the future (Russians …). Know anything about it? It’s organic, right? Is this why George Clinton is always talking about the ‘Mother Ship’? 🙂 Mainly, though, I want to know what causes the sparkles, which are noticeable mostly after the skin is activated by the sun. I know melanin migrates and is an active molecule, and I know it is spectrally-based and responds to ‘energies’ just like photosynthesis. As a matter of fact, the mushrooms took on the earth-melanin (and God made man from the mud; from dust thou art …) as away to survive, as a form of nutritional energy. And I DO know black people feel weaker in cloudy climates that other people do … Any answers AT all? I know it sound sci-fi but it’s a fact, I just don’t understand the science enough, and this was the only place I think I’ll find a real answer, Cecil. Maybe a dermatologist in Senegal or something? Rabbi101 ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/2 "2010-07-06T13:18:42Z")
This will not end well. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/3 "2010-07-06T13:34:53Z")
As 15th century slave traders soon discovered, some of the more dangerous Africans we the venomous Diamond Blacks. Although typically only 5’5" - 6’0" and quite thin, some Diamond Blacks have been reported to grow as high as 7 feet. The reason you don’t see many outside of Africa is because they were very dangerous to handle on account of their aggressive temperament and 4 inch long venomous fangs. There simply wasn’t a market for them. Ok, I got nothing. Maybe it has something to do with Folgers Crystals? Maybe what you’re seeing are especially rich, mountain grown Blacks? ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/4 "2010-07-06T13:37:11Z")
I’m trying to picture how the OP convinced people to let him examine their skin with a magnifying glass… ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/5 "2010-07-06T13:42:09Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > I’m trying to picture how the OP convinced people to let him examine their skin with a magnifying glass… I was trying to figure out the same thing. The people could be wearing that shimmery powder that’s pretty popular with some girls and women. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/6 "2010-07-06T13:51:39Z")
Is the OP perhaps just talking about perspiration or skin oils and the reflection of light off that? I know that when I photograph certain types of darker skin, reflections/shiny spots are more noticeable than on folks with lighter skin because of the deep contrast between the highlight and the base skin tone. Characterizing it as a “sparkle” seems reasonable to me. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/7 "2010-07-06T14:13:56Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > I’m trying to picture how the OP convinced people to let him examine their skin with a magnifying glass… I guess you missed the part of the OP where he spelled truth in all caps. Why would you question that! ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/8 "2010-07-06T14:23:47Z")
> [@Omega\_Glory](#): > > that shimmery powder that’s pretty popular with some girls and women. [FDA Approved Wholesale Cosmetic Grade Mica](http://www.making-mineralmakeup.com/mica.htm) Yes, the rock: [Mica](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mica) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/9 "2010-07-06T15:09:26Z")
> [@](#): > > Yes, the rock: Mica Yup. They use it in that “sparkle” toothpaste kids like, too. > [@](#): > > Some brands contain powdered white mica which acts as a mild abrasive, and also adds a cosmetically-pleasing glittery shimmer to the paste. > **[Toothpaste](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toothpaste)** > > Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice that is used with a toothbrush to clean and maintain the aesthetics of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it is an abrasive that aids in removing dental plaque and food from the teeth, assists in suppressing halitosis, and delivers active ingredients (most commonly fluoride) to help prevent tooth decay (dental caries) and gum disease (gingivitis). Due to variations in composition and fluoride content, not all toothpastes are equally effec Maybe some people are really sloppy with their toothpaste? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/10 "2010-07-06T16:02:29Z")
God knows _I_ can’t brush my teeth after I’ve put my clothes on without getting it all over me. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/11 "2010-07-06T18:05:33Z")
Soaps and moisturizers sometimes have mica in them. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/12 "2010-07-06T20:13:42Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > Soaps and moisturizers sometimes have mica in them. Some types of rock and sand have mica in them, too. I’ve seen sparkling people at certain lakes. I suppose it would be most noticeable on those with darker skin… but you’d see the flakes of mica under a magnifying glass. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/13 "2010-07-06T22:25:17Z")
You fools! Don’t you see, you’ve been taken in by the [Reptilians](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptilians)! ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/14 "2010-07-06T23:20:44Z")
Maybe the OP just knows a lot of black vampires? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/15 "2010-07-06T23:38:33Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Maybe the OP just knows a lot of black vampires? According to certain internet sources, who may not be the most unbiased, Twilight portrays vampires as becoming more pale no matter what the race. People try to tie it in to the Mormon doctrine of Indians becoming “white and delightsome” if they convert. To be fair, increasing paleness with vampirism seems a common meme in other things like Vampire: The Masquerade. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2010, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/16 "2010-07-06T23:52:18Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > People try to tie it in to the Mormon doctrine of Indians becoming “white and delightsome” if they convert. Shouldn’t vampires rather become “white and toothsome”? ---
**Author:** ![rabbi101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@rabbi101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbi101)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/17 "2010-07-07T00:10:00Z")
I knew this would get some funny replies! No, it’s not sweat or oil; and it’s definitely not mica (which would rather appear ashen, dusty, or pale on very dark skin, like some sunscreens do–these folks aren’t pale or pallid). And I don’t THINK they’re vampires (plus the glisteny skin thing Cullen made new to vampires, I think … THAT’s fiction and special effects, this is not, and I also wouldn’t say it’s like that. It’s more subtle. Again, you have to look for it on certain black people). Let me try to describe it better. Some white people, like me, DO get tans. Everyone does. But when these folks get tanned (bronzed, or mahogonyed, or whatever for darker tones), for SOME, their skin tone seems glazed with this ‘micro-glitter’ effect, but it’s IN the dermis, epidermis, not ON it. And it’s much more faint than the cosmetic glitter another writer mentioned. It’s not cosmetic. It’s something that HAPPENS then goes away. It’s not some kind of magic, so keep the reptilian stuff out of it, it’s definitely physiological. I wish I had a picture to show you … it’s very natural looking, actually. I will find one and add it to this string, tomorrow, next year, who knows. Just to prove I’m right, really. Again, it’s hard to find, which makes this sound all the crazier … ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/18 "2010-07-07T00:16:04Z")
Were they recently in a strip club? Strippers often wear glitter powder for some reason or another. I guess they think it’s sexy, but really it just lets your wife or girlfriend you were just in a strip club. ---
**Author:** ![rabbi101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@rabbi101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbi101)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/19 "2010-07-07T00:17:56Z")
Oh, and I wasn’t trying to be derogatory, to the person referring to “mountain grown blacks”. I’m not being racist or anything. I’m totally objective here, and I’d like others to be, too. Isn’t this the place for hard questions or tough puzzles or interesting phenomena. That’s why I’m here, that’s all. It’s not about toothpaste, I’m just intensely curious. Some black people know what I’m talking about, but no white people, so I’m not surprised us white folks are clueless. Blacks in northern climates with less sun tend not to know much about it, but in the south, the carribean, africa, even Brazil or S. India they know what I’m talking about, but then only SOME do, because I think it runs in families. It’s kinda rare, just stumbled upon it. It looks cool, but again, a chance notice, it’s subtle. The ‘sparkles’ are at the cellular/epi layer level, so the over-all effect is like a slight radiance that ‘glimmers’ rather than ‘glows’. Not an aura or anything, just a cool skin effect after a good dose of sun, but definitely not the same concept as a tan. Does this make visual sense? ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/20 "2010-07-07T00:21:53Z")
Strippers sparkle. It’s contagious too. I once had a lap dance, and started sparkling. Fortunately, my immune system successfully fought it and won. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693.md?page=2)