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All You Need To Know About Skin Pigmentation


Skin pigmentation can take many forms, and the condition points to an imbalance in the skin cells that produce melanin. This article looks at the condition.

You may have noticed it in somebody else, or maybe in yourself – a discoloured patch of skin on the face or body, either darker than the rest of the skin or lighter. There are some whose entire body is covered in white skin, accompanied by light hair and eyes. In others, there are prominent spots or skin lesions.

All of these conditions point to different types of skin pigmentation.

What is it?
Skin pigmentation is a general term used to describe a change in the skin’s cellular composition that brings about discolouration of the skin. The skin gets its colour from melanin, a pigment present in the dermis. It is produced by melanocytes, which are special cells present in the upper layer of the skin called the epidermis. When melanin is produced, it quickly starts spreading across the skin – thus, your skin is uniformly coloured all over your body.

However, when the melanocyte cells malfunction, they produce too little or too much melanin. The melanin thus produced tends to accumulate in a certain area of the skin. As a result, there may be a dark patch formed on the skin, clearly visible to the naked eye. Or if melanin is under-produced, then there are whitish patches on the skin.

In some people, a melanin disturbance can give rise to the entire skin being covered in whitish patches, a condition known as ‘vitiligo’. Others develop a series of sharply defined, dark moles on the skin. Still others might develop flattish lesions on the surface – they are not painful but they are difficult to get rid of either.

How to treat skin pigmentation?
Early detection and treatment are important when it comes to controlling the extent of skin pigmentation. An expert dermatologist can study the skin’s composition, why there is sudden discolouration, and the probable causes for it. They can then prescribe a course of corrective medicine to treat the problem. The problem can be cured completely if caught early.

In most cases, the malfunctioning skin cells can be made to function properly again by providing the right chemical compounds for their development. The treatment plan often involves hydration of the skin, nourishment provided via a series of cell growth-boosting ingredients, and some lifestyle changes.


Some people choose to treat skin pigmentation at home, using herbal remedies or fruit and vegetables from their own reserves. Packs and scrubs that are composed of natural ingredients may boost cellular repair and restoration. However, you need a holistic treatment plan comprising sufficient sleep, good skin products, healthy diet, regular exercise and limited exposure to strong sunlight. 

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