Skin Pigmentation Disorders (2024)

Also called: Hyperpigmentation, Hypopigmentation

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Summary

Pigmentation means coloring. Skin pigmentation disorders affect the color of your skin. Your skin gets its color from a pigment called melanin. Special cells in the skin make melanin. When these cells become damaged or unhealthy, it affects melanin production. Some pigmentation disorders affect just patches of skin. Others affect your entire body.

If your body makes too much melanin, your skin gets darker. Pregnancy, Addison's disease, and sun exposure all can make your skin darker. If your body makes too little melanin, your skin gets lighter. Vitiligo is a condition that causes patches of light skin. Albinism is a genetic condition affecting a person's skin. A person with albinism may have no color, lighter than normal skin color, or patchy missing skin color. Infections, blisters and burns can also cause lighter skin.

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Skin Pigmentation Disorders (2024)

FAQs

What are the disorders of skin pigmentation? ›

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.

What should we eat to remove pigmentation? ›

7 Foods to Reduce Pigmentation
  • Pomegranate. Pomegranates are a rich source of polyphenols that help combat free radical damage and lighten dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and dull skin.
  • Papaya. ...
  • Fatty Fish. ...
  • Carrot. ...
  • Green vegetables. ...
  • Sweet Potato. ...
  • Citrus Fruits.

What is skin pigmentation called? ›

Melanin gives color to the skin, hair, and iris of the eyes. Levels of melanin depend on race and amount of sunlight exposure. Sun exposure increases melanin production to protect the skin against harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays.

How can I remove my pigmentation? ›

Turmeric:

This home remedy is beneficial in managing hyperpigmentation. To use turmeric for skin, you can make a turmeric face mask. To make the facemask, you can mix small amounts of turmeric, honey, and Greek yoghurt and apply it to your face. You can keep the mask for 15 minutes and then wash it off with water.

What disease destroys skin pigment? ›

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.

What autoimmune disease affects skin pigmentation? ›

Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. This happens when melanocytes – skin cells that make pigment – are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milky-white color.

Which drink is best for pigmentation? ›

Carrot and Beetroot Juice

You will achieve flawless skin, as it eases your bowel movement, enhances liver function, and detoxifies at the cellular level[19]. This hydrating drink is a perfect choice for resolving issues like skin pigmentation and acne[20].

Which vitamin is best for pigmentation? ›

Three of the best vitamins for lightening dark spots are vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Vitamin C helps your skin produce more collagen while inhibiting the formation of melanin. Vitamin B12 also promotes collagen formation while supporting the growth of new skin cells.

Can you reverse skin pigmentation? ›

You may be able to treat hyperpigmentation with over-the-counter (OTC) skin acids and retinoids. A dermatologist can also perform procedures that may help reduce its appearance. Hyperpigmentation is a medical term used to describe darker patches of skin from excess melanin production.

What does pigmentation skin look like? ›

Hyperpigmentation is a common condition that makes some areas of the skin darker than others. Extra melanin creates spots or patches that look brown, black, gray, red or pink. The areas are not painful or itchy, but they can make people self-conscious.

Is skin pigmentation serious? ›

Hyperpigmentation isn't generally harmful and usually isn't a sign of a serious medical condition. In some cases, dark areas will fade on their own with good sun protection. In other cases, more aggressive treatment is needed. There's no guarantee that the dark spots will fade completely, even with treatment.

What is the biggest external cause of pigmentation disorders? ›

The biggest external cause of pigmentation disorders is sun exposure. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun stimulate melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin (skin pigment).

Does apple cider vinegar fade hyperpigmentation? ›

It contains acetic acid, which is a natural bleaching agent. That is why many people consider it's the fastest-acting natural remedy for hyperpigmentation. Because of its acidic property, apple cider vinegar can remove marks and spots from your face and within just a few weeks.

What really helps for pigmentation? ›

Topical therapies
  • Hydroquinone. Topical HQ is regarded as the gold standard for the treatment of facial hyperpigmentation. ...
  • Retinoids. ...
  • Azelaic acid. ...
  • Kojic acid. ...
  • Tranexamic acid. ...
  • Cysteamine. ...
  • Cosmeceuticals.

Why do I have so much pigmentation? ›

A number of factors can trigger an increase in melanin production, but the main ones are sun exposure, hormonal influences, age and skin injuries or inflammation. Sun exposure is the number one cause of hyperpigmentation as it's sunlight that triggers the production of melanin in the first place.

What are the syndromes of hyperpigmentation? ›

Typical hyperpigmentation disorders include postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, solar lentigines, ephelides (freckles), and café au lait macules.

What deficiency causes skin pigmentation? ›

Skin lesions associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are skin hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair changes. Cutaneous lesions that do not respond to conventional therapy can be an indication of vitamin B12 deficiency. Malabsorption is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency.

What skin condition is caused by hyperpigmentation? ›

Hyperpigmentation can also occur in melasma, freckles, lentigines, and café-au-lait spots (flat, brown spots), as well as in abnormal skin growths such as moles and melanoma.

What are the metabolic disorders of pigmentation? ›

PIGMENTARY CHANGES IN ENDOCRINE DISORDERS
  • Acanthosis nigricans (AN) ...
  • Carotenemia. ...
  • Diffuse hypermelanosis. ...
  • Vitiligo. ...
  • Melasma. ...
  • Skin pallor. ...
  • Acanthosis nigricans. ...
  • Carotenemia.

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