What are skin pigment disorders?

Also known as: skin pigmentation disorders, hyperpigmentation, pigmentation disorders.

Skin color is determined by the amount and type of melanin, or pigment, found in skin cells. Melanin is what gives color not only to skin but also hair and the color of one's eyes. How much melanin one has, depends on one's race, the amount of sunlight that the body is exposed to and the effects of some hormones. Melanin increases with exposure to sunlight to protect the skin against sunlight damage.

Skin pigment disorders include Albinism, Melasma, loss of skin color from skin damage, and Vitiligo.


Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM

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