# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/41 "2010-07-08T08:08:10Z")
> [@palindromemordnilap](#): > > So before we delve into the question of why this occurs, it would help to get corroboration of your experience. Or a photo, or some video. Not hard to achieve in this day and age. If you can persuade some people to let you study their sparkly skin under a microscope, they shouldn’t mind posing for a photo or a few seconds of video you can post online for all to see. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/42 "2010-07-08T11:08:25Z")
Aye. Without corroborative evidence, my suggestion would be to ask the OP if he had his eyes checked recently. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/43 "2010-07-08T14:34:19Z")
Nitpick: The OP looked under a _ **magnifying glass** _, not a microscope. There’s a pretty substantial difference there. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/44 "2010-07-08T15:04:26Z")
If I look closely at my skin while I’m in sunlight, I can see tiny sparkly points of rainbow-like colors, as if I had tiny prisms on my skin. I’ve always assumed this is just the edges of the keratin in the cells catching the light. I’m extraordinarily pale. The effect shows up best on very smooth skin, like the inside of my forearm. I… don’t think I’m a vampire. I could be a singularly clueless one, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/45 "2010-07-08T15:21:50Z")
How do you feel about black pudding? ---
**Author:** ![rabbi101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@rabbi101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbi101)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/46 "2010-07-08T15:46:33Z")
Yes, JSGoddess you have come closest to what I’m talking about, but still not the same thing, as white skin IS REFLECTIVE of light, black skin, the darker it is is ABSORPTIVE of light, but the prismatic effect is there–not vitiligo or reverse freckles, or follicle-sized, or from under a microscope. Some people on this site are not curious at all, just silly. I’m sorry I posted. That’s what you get for being open-minded and assuming others will be, too. It was just a frickin’ question … Why did I come to notice it? Someone pointed it out to me in Barbados, and I looked, was curious, and kept looking out for it, that’s all. Wanted to understand it, so got a regular kids’ magnifying glass and … prisms! That’s all. It’s interesting … the replies … People sound … defensive. Why? Of course I need a photo, but I’m not even sure it would turn up on a photo, but I WILL take one. Problem is I live in Seattle, where EVERYONE, including the black people, are somewhat pallid. We didn’t get real sun until THIS week. 🙂 And it’s not enough. 🙂 Again, it’s ALMOST a needle in a haystack thing, and I’m sure it’s just an EFFECT of light on the skin. I did talk to a dermatologist over this posting–she DID say that dark melanin contains compounds the other melanins do not, which is why it’s studied more. It’s used to relax people, hence it’s relationship to melatonin. It is found in ALL brains–in the ‘substantia nigra’ portion (er, substantial negro melanin, that is–in the brain crease :-), and those without enough in this area, studies show, tend to have neurological disorders like MD and MS, etc.–check it out. They get melanin injected into their brains: They get darker, but they get BETTER). The dermatologist did say that dark melanin is a HUGE and REACTIVE molecule (and explained why dark blacks ‘keloid’–or overheals a scar more rapidly, to the point that the scar over-grows like a cancer sometimes, but it’s not cancer). Also told me that it ‘sequesters’ (traps) trace metals when there is an over-abundance IN the body, not on it in the form of say, stripper glitter 🙂 (these metals would be copper, silver, gold, etc.). We are ALL made of the stuff of the universe, and all require some dose of these metals in small amounts. Some have more than others, and I wonder if that’s why I was seeing–trace metals that refract light. Yes, I have seen this effect elsewhere only once–in indigenous Pacific Islanders, and it’s quite lovely. In the end, I’m just looking for an answer; if I could corroborate it for myself, I wouldn’t be writing, you know … ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/47 "2010-07-08T16:01:33Z")
> [@rabbi101](#): > > And I DO know black people feel weaker in cloudy climates that other people do … **rabbi101** , I’m sorry I can’t help answer your question, but I simply can’t bear to let this statement go without asking you for some elaboration. Can you explain how you know this and/or offer a cite? ---
**Author:** ![not\_alice](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_alice/32/7283_2.png) [@not\_alice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_alice)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/48 "2010-07-08T16:17:17Z")
I am producing a film soon in which the entire cast is dark skinned african americans. I will try to remember to ask about this during the the hecticness. We will defintiely all be in the hot sun fro days on location… ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/49 "2010-07-08T17:40:54Z")
> [@rabbi101](#): > > the prismatic effect is there Take a close look at a piece of frosted glass in the sun. You’ll see the same thing, tiny colored sparkles from prismatic refraction. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/50 "2010-07-08T17:55:11Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > 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. I don’t have a cite, but I seem to recall that in the Anne Rice novels, black vampires eventually became a nice silvery color, whereas white vampires became… white. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/51 "2010-07-08T18:33:44Z")
Melanin is not Melatonin, one is a skin pigment and the other a brain hormone. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/52 "2010-07-08T19:12:22Z")
Is there any evidence at all that Black people lose their natural melanin from prolonged lack of exposure to natural light? I mean, it’s not like women in sub-Saharan Africa give birth to “silvery” babies who darken after a few months. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/53 "2010-07-08T19:16:06Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Gender-neutral name + abrasive = happens all the time. No worries. You, abrasive? Pish. 😉 You _are_ a she, I remember your Halloween pic… woohoo. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/54 "2010-07-08T19:35:45Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > You, abrasive? Pish. Yeah… You clearly haven’t seen me in the Pit. 😃 > [@](#): > > You _are_ a she, I remember your Halloween pic… woohoo. I’m in ye olde gallery now, too, even. ---
**Author:** ![palindromemordnilap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@palindromemordnilap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palindromemordnilap)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/55 "2010-07-09T14:23:26Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Nitpick: The OP looked under a _ **magnifying glass** _, not a microscope. There’s a pretty substantial difference there. D’oh! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/56 "2010-07-09T14:34:21Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:39, topic:545693”] [moderating] In GQ, please wait on the satire until we’ve had some serious answers. [/moderating] [/QUOTE] Will you clue us in as to when that has happened? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/57 "2010-07-09T15:10:55Z")
It’s the early stage of [Steaming Black Guy Head](http://www.theonion.com/articles/nfl-meteorologists-warn-steaming-blackguy-heads-oc,2340/). Seriously, it’s probably lotion. Black people (and all us pigmented types) _tend_ to have drier skin than Caucasians. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/58 "2010-07-09T15:54:45Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Will you clue us in as to when that has happened? I see people getting comments from mods on this all the time in GQ, if the jokes start in before there’s been at least one legitimate attempt to address the question. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/59 "2010-07-09T16:16:12Z")
^I know, I was just trying my hand at a facetious comment. “{C}lue us in as to when that has happened” meaning that a serious answer to this general question would be indistinguishable from a humorous reply.😉 The Aristocrats! ---
**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 9, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693/60 "2010-07-09T16:55:08Z")
I tried hard to resist it, I really did. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skin-sparkles-and-not-on-edward-cullen-how/545693.md?page=4)