Melanin has paramagnetic properties. “What does that mean?” It can interact with electromagnetic fields. This means melanin contains unpaired electrons, which allows it to respond to external magnetic or electromagnetic fields. In physics, paramagnetism refers to materials that are weakly attracted to magnetic fields because of these unpaired electrons. Unlike ferromagnetic materials (like iron), paramagnetic substances don't retain magnetization once the field is removed, but they do become temporarily magnetized in the presence of one.