Types of Skin Pigmentation
To protect our skin from the sun’s UV rays, our body manufactures melanin, which also gives us our skin color. Melanin also determines the skin color of an individual. But when melanin is overproduced or underproduced, the skin will be stained.
Skin pigmentation has various cause and effects. If you like to know more about the types of skin pigmentation, the details are below.
• Ephelides/Freckles
Ephelides are mostly inborn in people with fair skin. blemishes are commonly inherited. They may enhance or worsen one’s appearance.
• Solar Lentigines
These dark spots are also referred to as age spots or sun spots. Damaged melanocytes which are not disposed of properly can cause discoloration. The parts of the skin which gets the most sunlight are susceptible to solar lentigines. The sun can damage skin in excessive amounts.
• Melasma
This skin condition is more ordinary to women. Due to hormonal disparity when taking contraceptive pills, women are more susceptible in having melasma. They are dark irregular patches usually found on the facial area, especially the cheeks, nose and the forehead. Two types of melasma are the epidermal and dermal. In the case of epidermal melasma, it is only subtle because it only affects the epidermis. Dermal melasma is much worse because it is situated deeply under the skin.
• Chloasma
This condition is prevalent in some pregnant women. This can be exacerbated if one stays long hours under the sun. This also shows on the stomach area.
The abovementioned pigmentation troubles are caused by too much pigmentation. It’s time to discuss hypopigmentation, the reverse of hyperpigmentation. And to make it simple these conditions are cause by lack of melanin on skin.
• Skin Damage
Skin damage can contribute to loss of pigment for some time.
• Albinism
Albinism is due to the deficiency of melanin. Albinos are popular for their pale skin, pale hair and eye color. People who have albinism have a gene which restricts melanin production. Albinos have a greater danger of skin cancer.
• Vitiligo
Vitiligo is manifested by white blemishes on skin. When pigment producing cells are destroyed, vitiligo can affect an individual. There is no known cure for vitiligo yet.
One should ask a dermatologist first before treating these skin problems. Treating yourself without the discretion of experts can be dangerous.
Hyperpigmentation Further Reading:
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