- Special cells in the skin produce melanin. When these cells are damaged or become unhealthy, they affect melanin production. Some pigmentation disorders affect only patches of skin. Others affect your entire body If your body produces too much melanin, your skin will get darker. Pregnancy, Addison's disease, and sun exposure can all make your skin darker. If your body produces too little melanin, your skin will become lighter. Vitiligo is a condition that causes patches of lighter skin to appear
- skin discoloration Pigmentation disorders, injuries, and other changes in your body can lighten, darken or change color of your skin. You may notice changes in your skin color in multiple areas on the surface of the skin or in only certain patches of skin. Types of skin discoloration include depigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation 📍 pigmentation Depigmentation occurs when your skin completely loses pigment and turns white. One common cause of depigmentation is vitiligo, an autoimmune condition that results in soft white patches on the skin. 📍 Hyperpigmentation Hyperpigmentation causes the skin to become darker or different in color due to an abnormally high amount of melanin or other pigments in the skin Hyperpigmentation can be caused by: _birthmarks _ age spots _ acne scars Pregnancy (where melasma, tan, brown or gray patches can appear on the face)
- 📍 hypopigmentation Skin affected by hypopigmentation is lighter in color due to an abnormally low amount of melanin. Causes of hypopigmentation include: Previous skin injuries due to burns, blisters, ulcers, exposure to chemicals, or infection Inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema (atopic dermatitis) Rare genetic conditions such as albinism, which are caused by a deficiency of the melanin-producing enzyme 📍 remove pigmentation If you are dealing with skin that is darker than usual, you may be wondering, can pigmentation be removed? Before considering cosmetic procedures, it is important to check with your healthcare provider to diagnose and treat any potential underlying causes Then, many forms of hyperpigmentation can be treated with treatments such as topical medications such as hydroquinone cream, chemical peels, dermabrasion, light therapy, laser, or cryotherapy. However, it is important to note that some treatments are not suitable for very dark skin types, such as laser peels
- A change in skin color can be worrying or upsetting. If you have damaged skin or a chronic skin condition that alters your appearance, it's normal to feel stressed, embarrassed, or frustrated at having to deal with this change. Don't hesitate to reach out to a health care provider or therapist for further assistance. Know that you are not alone and can find ways to cope and rely on others with similar experiences to get the support you need
Skin Pigmentation
Pigmentation means coloring. Skin pigmentation disorders affect the color of your skin. Your skin gets its color from a pigment called melanin
