Skin - abnormally dark or light (2024)

FAQs

What is abnormally dark or light skin? ›

Skin with too much melanin is called hyperpigmented skin. Skin with too little melanin is called hypopigmented. Skin with no melanin at all is called depigmented. Pale skin areas are due to too little melanin or underactive melanocytes.

Melanin is a substance in your body that produces hair, eye and skin pigmentation. The more melanin you produce, the darker your eyes, hair and skin will be. The amount of melanin in your body depends on a few different factors, including genetics and how much sun exposure your ancestral population had.

Tinea versicolor: Also known as pityriasis versicolor, this is a fungal skin infection that can cause patches of skin to become lighter or darker. These patches usually develop slowly and can sometimes merge to form larger patches. Tinea versicolor tends to affect the trunk, neck, and upper arms.

Many factors influence the color of people's skin, but the pigment melanin is by far the most important. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes in the skin and is the primary determinant of skin color in people with darker skin.

Also called: Hyperpigmentation, Hypopigmentation.

Dark skin is a type of human skin color that is rich in melanin pigments. People with dark skin are often referred to as "black people", although this usage can be ambiguous in some countries where it is also used to specifically refer to different ethnic groups or populations.

People with a rare condition called methemoglobinemia have actual blue skin. The Blue Fugates of Kentucky are the only known family carrying this trait. Tan skin complexion with blue eyes is rare combination. Rarest Hair and skin color is: Red head, Tan complexion and blue eyes.

Light skin is a human skin color that has a low level of eumelanin pigmentation as an adaptation to environments of low UV radiation. Light skin is most commonly found amongst the native populations of Europe, West Asia, Central Asia, and Northeast Asia as measured through skin reflectance.

Average skin colors are seen as most attractive. Typically, tan is the average skin color, making it very attractive to most people. However, the most attractive skin color varies on preference, culture, and sex. A healthy skin complexion and rosy “glow” is always considered attractive.

Spots that become asymmetric, have borders that shift, get darker or lighter, or change in diameter should be checked for skin cancer.

Why is my skin getting darker without sun? ›

Vitamin deficiency: Insufficient consumption of essential vitamins such as vitamin A, E, C and B complex may result in darkening and roughening of the skin. Vitamin deprivation also makes the skin look dull. Liver disorders: Certain liver disorders are also responsible for hyperpigmentation.

The earliest primate ancestors of humans most likely had pale non-pigmented skin, like our closest modern relative—the chimpanzee, and other great apes. Loss of body hair in hom*o links to the thermoregulation through perspiration heat dissipation required for activity in hot open environments and endurance running.

Nature selects for less melanin when ultraviolet radiation is weak. In such an environment, very dark skin is a disadvantage because it can prevent people from producing enough vitamin D, potentially resulting in rickets disease in children and osteoporosis in adults.

The authors argue that because Americans often process race on the basis of visual cues, skin color impacts how individuals are treated in the United States, with those of lighter skin tones experiencing greater privilege than those with darker skin tones.

Albinism, melasma, vitiligo, Addison's disease, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which can be brought on by eczema, acne vulgaris, and drug interactions, are the most common skin pigmentation disorders in clinical practice.

Vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin — the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes color. The involved patches of skin become lighter or white. It's unclear exactly what causes these pigment cells to fail or die.

Hypopigmentation is a lightening of your skin color. Injuries or skin conditions are the primary cause of hypopigmentation. Treatment depends on what caused hypopigmentation, but it may involve medications or therapies. If you have scars or albinism, there's no treatment available.

Fair tone is at the lightest end of the spectrum and is characterised by a light, porcelain-like appearance due to extremely low levels of melanin. While this type of skin doesn't tan, it is highly vulnerable to sunburn, even with short bouts of sun exposure.