A skin pigmentation disorder is a condition that affects the color of the skin. Some common types of skin pigmentation disorders include albinism, melasma, vitiligo, and pigment changes from skin damage.
This article discusses the different types of skin pigmentation disorders along with their symptoms, causes, and treatments.
What Is Skin Pigmentation?
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Types of Skin Pigment Disorders
There are many types of skin pigment disorders, with different patterns of skin changes, and sometimes with other effects too.
Albinism
The main symptom of albinism is a lack of color in the hair, skin, or eyes. These symptoms can affect the entire body or just small patches of skin. In some cases, a person with albinism will have some color in their hair, skin, and eyes, but it will be lighter than normal.
Other symptoms of albinism can include vision problems, such as:
Types and Symptoms of Albinism
There is no cure for albinism, but there are treatment options that can relieve symptoms. The course of treatment depends on how severe the albinism is.
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Vision Problems and AlbinismSome people who have albinism may have issues with their eyes, eyesight, and light sensitivity. If you have albinism, it’s important to regularly see an eye doctor to have your eyes examined.
Vision Problems and Albinism
Some people who have albinism may have issues with their eyes, eyesight, and light sensitivity. If you have albinism, it’s important to regularly see an eye doctor to have your eyes examined.
Melasma
Melasmais a common skin pigmentation disorder. It is also referred to as chloasma or the mask of pregnancy, and it usually affects women.Melasma is more likely to occur in people with darker skin tones.
The main symptoms of melasma are brown or gray patches of skin discoloration on the face. Areas of the body that are often exposed to the sun can also be affected.The patches tend to be symmetrical on both sides of the face or body, and are darker than the natural skin tone.
The coloration does not pose any health risks, but many people with the condition will seek treatment for cosmetic reasons.
The actual cause of melasma isn’t known. It is thought that those with darker skin tones may be more susceptible to the disorder because their melanocyte activity is higher than in those with lighter skin tones.
Common triggers for the condition include:
The first-line treatment for melasma is topical medications:
If the medications don’t work, certain cosmetic procedures may be done, such as derma- and microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or laser treatment.
What Is the Best Treatment for Melasma?
Pigment Changes from Skin Damage
When skin is damaged, it can becomediscolored. For example, wounds and burns can cause skin discoloration that is long-lasting or permanent, depending on the severity.
In the case of burns, the extent of skin discoloration will depend on the severity of the burn. Third-degree burns, second-degree burns, and superficial partial-thickness burns will typically cause skin discoloration.
A larger wound is more likely to result in abnormal pigmentation because of the formation of scar tissue, whereas a smaller wound can heal without leaving any scars.
The majority of scars are known as flat scars, and during the initial stages of healing, they will be pink or red and slightly raised on the skin. In some cases, the scar will revert back to the normal skin tone, but in other instances, scars can appear lighter or darker than the natural color of the skin.
To help minimize the appearance of scars and potential discoloration:
Scars will fade over time, but there is no effective way to remove all of the discoloration that scarring leaves after the skin has been damaged.
How Different Degrees of Burns Are Treated
Vitiligo
Vitiligois a chronic skin pigmentation disorder. Roughly 1 to 2% of the world’s population has vitiligo, and cases are equally spread out over all racial groups.Although there are no detrimental health effects, vitiligo has been shown to cause psychological distress in those who have the condition.
Themain symptom of vitiligo is a complete loss of pigmentin the skin, which results in patches of white. It can occur on any area of the body and can affect small or large patches of skin.
The most likely places for vitiligo to appear are in areas where sun exposure is frequent, including the hands, feet, face, and arms. It can also affect the mouth, eyes, groin, and genitals.Parts of the head can also be affected, mainly at the hair roots on the scalp, and in some instances, a person’s hair could turn white or gray.
Other symptoms of vitiligo include:
There are two types of vitiligo: non-segmental, which is characterized as symmetrical patches that appear on both sides of the body, and segmental, which is localized and typically only affects one area of the body asymmetrically. Segmental vitiligo is not as common as non-segmental vitiligo, although it is the type that occurs more often in children.
Vitiligo is anautoimmune diseasethat occurs when a person’s immune system attacks their melanocytes. Though it is not clear what triggers this process, vitiligo is associated with other autoimmune disorders such asGrave’s disease,Lupus, andpernicious anemia.
Although the condition doesn’t pose any health risks, many people seek treatment for cosmetic reasons.
Treatment options include:
7 Rare Skin Diseases
When To See A Healthcare Provider
If you develop skin discoloration, it’s best to book an appointment with your healthcare provider—even if it’s not painful. This will help you rule out any serious skin diseases and put you on the road to treatment that much quicker.
A Word From Verywell
Dealing with a skin pigmentation disorder can be difficult, even if it doesn’t cause any harm to your health. The emotional struggle can take a huge toll on your mental well-being. The good news is that many skin pigmentation disorders are not serious and can be treated medically or safely covered with cosmetics (if you choose to do so). It’s important to stay positive when facing a skin pigmentation disorder and to remember that all skin is beautiful.
20 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Skin pigmentation disorders.MedlinePlus.Albinism.MedlinePlus.Oculocutaneous albinism.MedlinePlus.Ocular albinism.MedlinePlus.Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: causes.MedlinePlus.Burns.de Chalain TM, Tang C, Thomson HG.Burn area color changes after superficial burns in childhood: can they be predicted?J Burn Care Rehabil.1998 Jan-Feb;19(1 Pt 1):39-49. doi: 10.1097/00004630-199801000-00010.Carney BC, McKesey JP, Rosenthal DS, Shupp JW.Treatment Strategies for Hypopigmentation in the Context of Burn Hypertrophic Scars.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open.2018 Jan 18;6(1):e1642. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001642.Chadwick S, Heath R, Shah M.Abnormal pigmentation within cutaneous scars: A complication of wound healing.Indian J Plast Surg.2012 May;45(2):403-11. doi: 10.4103/0970-0358.101328.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scars: signs and symptoms.Goel A, Shrivastava P.Post-burn scars and scar contractures.Indian J Plast Surg. 2010 Sep;43(Suppl):S63-71. doi: 10.4103/0970-0358.70724.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Proper wound care: How to minimize a scar.Grimes PE, Miller MM. Vitiligo:Patient stories, self-esteem, and the psychological burden of disease.Int J Womens Dermatol.2018 Jan 8;4(1):32-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.11.005.Ramakrishna P, Rajni T.Psychiatric morbidity and quality of life in vitiligo patients. Indian J Psychol Med. 2014 Jul;36(3):302-3. doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.135385.Erratum in: Indian J Psychol Med.2015 Jan-Mar;37(1):111.The United Kingdom National Health Service.Vitiligo.Baldini E, Odorisio T, Sorrenti S, Catania A, Tartaglia F, Carbotta G, Pironi D, Rendina R, D’Armiento E, Persechino S, Ulisse S.Vitiligo and Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2017 Oct 27;8:290. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00290.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Skin pigment disorders.
20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Skin pigmentation disorders.MedlinePlus.Albinism.MedlinePlus.Oculocutaneous albinism.MedlinePlus.Ocular albinism.MedlinePlus.Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: causes.MedlinePlus.Burns.de Chalain TM, Tang C, Thomson HG.Burn area color changes after superficial burns in childhood: can they be predicted?J Burn Care Rehabil.1998 Jan-Feb;19(1 Pt 1):39-49. doi: 10.1097/00004630-199801000-00010.Carney BC, McKesey JP, Rosenthal DS, Shupp JW.Treatment Strategies for Hypopigmentation in the Context of Burn Hypertrophic Scars.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open.2018 Jan 18;6(1):e1642. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001642.Chadwick S, Heath R, Shah M.Abnormal pigmentation within cutaneous scars: A complication of wound healing.Indian J Plast Surg.2012 May;45(2):403-11. doi: 10.4103/0970-0358.101328.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scars: signs and symptoms.Goel A, Shrivastava P.Post-burn scars and scar contractures.Indian J Plast Surg. 2010 Sep;43(Suppl):S63-71. doi: 10.4103/0970-0358.70724.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Proper wound care: How to minimize a scar.Grimes PE, Miller MM. Vitiligo:Patient stories, self-esteem, and the psychological burden of disease.Int J Womens Dermatol.2018 Jan 8;4(1):32-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.11.005.Ramakrishna P, Rajni T.Psychiatric morbidity and quality of life in vitiligo patients. Indian J Psychol Med. 2014 Jul;36(3):302-3. doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.135385.Erratum in: Indian J Psychol Med.2015 Jan-Mar;37(1):111.The United Kingdom National Health Service.Vitiligo.Baldini E, Odorisio T, Sorrenti S, Catania A, Tartaglia F, Carbotta G, Pironi D, Rendina R, D’Armiento E, Persechino S, Ulisse S.Vitiligo and Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2017 Oct 27;8:290. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00290.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Skin pigment disorders.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Skin pigmentation disorders.MedlinePlus.Albinism.MedlinePlus.Oculocutaneous albinism.MedlinePlus.Ocular albinism.MedlinePlus.Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: causes.MedlinePlus.Burns.de Chalain TM, Tang C, Thomson HG.Burn area color changes after superficial burns in childhood: can they be predicted?J Burn Care Rehabil.1998 Jan-Feb;19(1 Pt 1):39-49. doi: 10.1097/00004630-199801000-00010.Carney BC, McKesey JP, Rosenthal DS, Shupp JW.Treatment Strategies for Hypopigmentation in the Context of Burn Hypertrophic Scars.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open.2018 Jan 18;6(1):e1642. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001642.Chadwick S, Heath R, Shah M.Abnormal pigmentation within cutaneous scars: A complication of wound healing.Indian J Plast Surg.2012 May;45(2):403-11. doi: 10.4103/0970-0358.101328.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scars: signs and symptoms.Goel A, Shrivastava P.Post-burn scars and scar contractures.Indian J Plast Surg. 2010 Sep;43(Suppl):S63-71. doi: 10.4103/0970-0358.70724.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Proper wound care: How to minimize a scar.Grimes PE, Miller MM. Vitiligo:Patient stories, self-esteem, and the psychological burden of disease.Int J Womens Dermatol.2018 Jan 8;4(1):32-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.11.005.Ramakrishna P, Rajni T.Psychiatric morbidity and quality of life in vitiligo patients. Indian J Psychol Med. 2014 Jul;36(3):302-3. doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.135385.Erratum in: Indian J Psychol Med.2015 Jan-Mar;37(1):111.The United Kingdom National Health Service.Vitiligo.Baldini E, Odorisio T, Sorrenti S, Catania A, Tartaglia F, Carbotta G, Pironi D, Rendina R, D’Armiento E, Persechino S, Ulisse S.Vitiligo and Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2017 Oct 27;8:290. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00290.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Skin pigment disorders.
MedlinePlus.Skin pigmentation disorders.
MedlinePlus.Albinism.
MedlinePlus.Oculocutaneous albinism.
MedlinePlus.Ocular albinism.
MedlinePlus.Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: diagnosis and treatment.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: signs and symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: causes.
MedlinePlus.Burns.
de Chalain TM, Tang C, Thomson HG.Burn area color changes after superficial burns in childhood: can they be predicted?J Burn Care Rehabil.1998 Jan-Feb;19(1 Pt 1):39-49. doi: 10.1097/00004630-199801000-00010.
Carney BC, McKesey JP, Rosenthal DS, Shupp JW.Treatment Strategies for Hypopigmentation in the Context of Burn Hypertrophic Scars.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open.2018 Jan 18;6(1):e1642. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001642.
Chadwick S, Heath R, Shah M.Abnormal pigmentation within cutaneous scars: A complication of wound healing.Indian J Plast Surg.2012 May;45(2):403-11. doi: 10.4103/0970-0358.101328.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scars: signs and symptoms.
Goel A, Shrivastava P.Post-burn scars and scar contractures.Indian J Plast Surg. 2010 Sep;43(Suppl):S63-71. doi: 10.4103/0970-0358.70724.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Proper wound care: How to minimize a scar.
Grimes PE, Miller MM. Vitiligo:Patient stories, self-esteem, and the psychological burden of disease.Int J Womens Dermatol.2018 Jan 8;4(1):32-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.11.005.
Ramakrishna P, Rajni T.Psychiatric morbidity and quality of life in vitiligo patients. Indian J Psychol Med. 2014 Jul;36(3):302-3. doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.135385.Erratum in: Indian J Psychol Med.2015 Jan-Mar;37(1):111.
The United Kingdom National Health Service.Vitiligo.
Baldini E, Odorisio T, Sorrenti S, Catania A, Tartaglia F, Carbotta G, Pironi D, Rendina R, D’Armiento E, Persechino S, Ulisse S.Vitiligo and Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2017 Oct 27;8:290. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00290.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Skin pigment disorders.
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