The color and look of our Skin is something we pride ourselves with, in India. An even skin and bright complexion are what every man and woman wish to achieve. However, various factors, both internal and external, can take the skin’s appearance in the wrong direction. Let us look at the different types of pigmentation disorders seen.

What Is Skin Pigmentation?

The human skin contains a pigment called melanin, which is synthesized by cells known as melanocytes. Another group of cells called as keratinocytes distributes this pigment to the upper skin layers.

Melanin is the cause of Skin Pigmentation and is responsible for imparting our skin with the color it presents to the naked eye. Due to the various amounts of melanin produced and other intrinsic and extrinsic factors, different pigmentation levels of the skin are seen in the Indian population – some people are fair-skinned while some have a deeper skin tone

The primary factors that influence the process of skin pigmentation include –

• Tyrosinase (enzyme required for melanin synthesis) production
• Hormones secreted by the endocrine glands
• Blood supply
• Fibroblasts present in the dermis
• Inflammation-related factors
• Ultraviolet radiation
• Genetic factors

A disturbance in any of these factors can cause an increase or decrease in skin pigmentation, either on the entire skin’s surface or in small areas or spots. Here are the commonly seen types of skin pigmentation disorders.

Common Types Of Skin Pigmentation Disorders

1. Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

When certain areas of the skin become darker due to an inflammation (or swelling) caused by a skin disease such atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, impetigo, burns, etc. or due to reaction to clinical treatments like laser, IPL, and chemical peels, it is called Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation or PIH. Darkening of the skin is seen at the affected site is the primary symptom.

2. Melasma

This is a type of acquired hyperpigmentation that is seen more commonly in females than in males. Symptoms are brown to greyish brown patches on the skin, especially on the cheeks, forehead, chin, bridge of the nose, and above the lip. At times, these patches can also develop on the shoulders and neck. The exact cause of melasma is unknown; however, UV exposure, genetic predisposition, and skin irritants can easily trigger it.

3. Solar Lentigines

Also called actinic lentigines, liver spots or age spots, these spots develop on the skin due to the photodamage that increases with age. This pigmentation disorder presents itself as light brown to dark spots on skin areas exposed to the sun. These spots are referred to as lesions sometimes and are usually even-colored or reticulated.

4. Freckles

Brown spots that develop on the skin on exposure to sunlight, irrespective of the age, are called freckles. They are most prominently seen in fair-skinned people. They are usually darker and are distinctly seen during the summer months and during the winters, they tend to become lighter due to the decrease in sun exposure.

5. Café-Au-Lait Macules

These are hyperpigmented lesions or spots that have a color resembling ‘coffee with milk’; this means that they are light to dark brown in color. They can have regular or irregular borders and are mostly early representations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). NF1 is a genetic disorder of the skin.

6. Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a hypopigmentation skin disorder, which means that it is caused due to underproduction of melanin that leaves areas of the skin lighter than the surrounding skin. Melanocytes that produce melanin are destroyed in the skin, but it is still unclear what and how this destruction happens. Symptoms are smooth and light-colored patches on the skin that are sensitive to exposure to sunlight.

7. Pityriasis Alba

In this skin pigmentation disorder, the skin forms red and scaly patches initially. These heal eventually but leave behind light colored patches. Hence, Pityriasis Alba is characterized by hypopigmentation. It affects young children more than adults and the lesions are round or oval in shape usually. The exact cause of this pigmentation disorder is not known, but it is considered as an indicator of atopic dermatitis, a skin disease.

8. Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor or pityriasis versicolor is caused due to fungal (yeast) infection of the skin that goes rampant. This yeast is found on the skin under normal conditions but grows out of control under the influence of favorable factors like hot and humid environment, oily skin, excessive sweating, and a weak immune system. Symptoms include colored spots (brown, tan, red, white, pink or salmon colored) on the skin that are different from the surrounding skin, and these can be dry and scaly. The affected skin is usually itchy with the spots growing together slowly to form larger patches.

9. Post-Inflammatory Hypopigmentation

Skin diseases like eczema and seborrheic dermatitis or skin trauma (for example – from cryotherapy) can lead to inflammation of the skin and eventual skin lightening. The melanin production is interrupted causing lightened skin at the affected site. This is called as post inflammatory hypopigmentation. These patches are flat and non-scaly.

10. Albinism

An inherited skin pigmentation disorder, people affected with albinism have little to no production of melanin in the body. The color of the skin, hair, and eyes is affected with the skin usually being white to pinkish in color. As it is genetic disorder, it is passed on from the parent to the child.

11. Piebaldism

This disorder is due to a genetic mutation as a result of which the affected skin (and hair) is hypopigmented or depigmented. Symptoms are light colored macules or spots on the skin and the forelock section of the scalp hair being white in color. This pigmentation disorder is present from birth and does not usually progress with age.

12. Tuberous Sclerosis

This fairly uncommon genetic disorder has hypopigmented patches of skin as one of its symptoms. These patches are seen at birth and are usually accompanied with thickened skin and non-cancerous skin growths.

13. Acanthosis Nigricans

It is a skin pigmentation disorder that is associated with insulin resistance, obesity, hormonal disorders, certain medications, and even cancer. The main symptom is dark, velvety, and discolored skin that develops in the folds and creases of the body like the neck, underarms, and groin regions.

14. Xeroderma Pigmentosum

It is a genetic condition that makes the skin extremely sensitive to ultraviolet exposure. Signs and symptoms include sunburns that develop on slight sun exposure, sunburns that last very long, freckles, irregular dark spots, extreme dryness of the skin, and rough growths on the skin’s surface. People affected with this rare condition are extremely prone to developing skin cancer.

15. Incontinentia Pigmenti

This is an inherited skin pigmentation disorder that affects males more severely than females. Excessive melanin causes pigmentation that is slate grey, brown or blue in color and is present as irregularly marbled or wavy lines. Usually the skin on the trunk and the extremities (hands and legs) of the body are affected. Abnormalities are also seen in the skeletal system, teeth, central nervous system, and the eyes.

16. Post-Acne Pigmentation

Acne is characterized by inflammation of the skin at the affected site and this swelling can leave behind marks known as post acne pigmentation. These marks can be red in color or darker than the surrounding the skin. Usually, when the pimples are squeezed using wrong technique, it can leave behind these marks.

Treatments And Therapies For Of Skin Pigmentation Disorders

Skin pigmentation treatment options are plenty in the market now. A dermatologist will be able to analyse your skin and suggest appropriate therapies to even out the skin tone and lighten or darken the spots. Treatments that are popularly recommended include –

(A) Chemical Peels

This is a topical treatment used for hyperpigmentation disorders. A solution composed of a single acid or different acids that are safe for usage on the skin is extracted from natural sources, and applied on the affected skin. The top dark and dull layers of the skin are exfoliated by using this chemical peel. Depending on the level of pigmentation and the individual, the depth of action of the peel is selected. Mild, medium, and deep peels are available at cosmetic clinics to treat different pigmentary concerns.

(B) Dermabrasion

This dermatological treatment suits people who are fair-skinned. The pigmented skin is removed by ‘sanding’, using a special rotating instrument. After the treatment, the skin heals, and the pigmented areas are replaced by fresh, healthy skin.

(C) Laser Therapy

A high-energy light beam is targeted on the affected skin to efficiently and precisely treat the skin pigmentation disorder. Both mild and intense versions of the therapy are used that work on the just the superficial layers or to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin respectively. Both hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation can be treated with laser therapy.

(D) Medications

Generally, these include topical medications that contain skin lightening (stop melanin production) ingredients such as hydroquinone or kojic acid to lighten dark spots; or ingredients that promote melanin production and hence even out the hypopigmented areas of the skin. At times, internal medications are also prescribed, but this completely depends on the underlying condition and if internal medications are available for its treatment.

Skin pigmentation disorders are of a wide variety and can be as common as age spots in older people or as rare as xeroderma pigmentosum. Most of these disorders can be treated completely or at least to a considerable extent using the latest advancements in dermatological and cosmetic treatments. Utilize these developments to treat your concerns!

The post Skin Pigmentation Disorders – Types, Causes, & Treatments appeared first on Oliva Clinic.