Albinos are unable to produce skin pigment. Under the influence of UV light healthy people will produce skin pigment which is what gives us a nice sun-tan. As well as giving nice sun-tan pigment also provides the colour in our hair and eyes. 
Because albinos do not have this pigment their hair is light coloured, they have very light blue eyes which will look redder in direct light and their light coloured skin will never tan. Pigment is a protection against the more damaging effects of UV light and albinos have to live without this protection too. The UV-light from the sun can therefore damage their skin and the retina of their eyes. Without the protection of a good sun block quite young albinos will develop skin cancers.<

In the Netherlands and other western countries we see very few albinos (about 1 of every 17.000 persons is albino). However in Africa ‘albinism’ occurs with a much greater frequency. A specific type of albinism (Oculo-cutaan Albinism type 2) is prevalent among black Africans. The percentage of black Africans that is a carrier of the gene for this form is between 2,9% (1 in 35) and 4,5% (1 in 22).  It is estimated that under the African population south of the Sahara 1 in 2000 to 1 in 5000 persons is an albino. For as yet unknown reasons there are more albinos in certain African countries than in others. In particular in Malawi, Mali en Senegal many albinos can be found.

For more information about the varying forms of albinism and other related problems we refer you to:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albinism