Types Of Skin Pigmentation Or Skin Discoloration Disorders

April 19, 2023

Skin Pigmentation refers to a disorder that causes changes to the skin color. Your skin derives its color from a brown colored pigment known as melanin. An individual’s skin tone is determined by the amount of melanin found in it. Therefore, people having dark skin tones have more melanin presence than their counterparts with pale skin color. When the melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, get damaged, it halts the production of the skin pigment, thereby causing skin pigmentation or skin discoloration. Skin pigmentation can affect your entire body or a small part of the skin, based on the cause behind it and the extent the disorder has progressed.

Types Of Skin Pigmentation Disorders

Skin pigmentation disorders can be classified into three types: hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and depigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation: Prevention & Treatment by Dr. Shahida from Kolors Healthcare

1. Hyperpigmentation Disorder

This skin pigmentation is caused when melanocytes produce a large amount of melanin, making skin look very dark than usual. Excess exposure to sunlight, certain medications, or a few pigmented substances may trigger hyperpigmentation disorder.

2. Depigmentation Disorder

This skin disorder occurs when there is a drastic loss of melanin pigment, which can make the human skin lose its natural shade. Such loss of pigment can be temporary or permanent, with complete or partial melanin pigment loss.

3. Hypopigmentation Disorder

This skin discoloration disorder occurs when melanocyte cells produce a low amount of melanin pigment, making the skin look paler than usual. Skin injuries, such as exposure to strong chemicals and developing a skin infection, ulcers, or burns, can also trigger this primary skin pigmentation disorder. Checkout our article on ways to increase melanin production in the body

List of 5 Common Skin Discoloration Disorders

Skin pigmentation disorders are of various types, each having distinct patterns and symptoms while causing changes in skin color.

1. Albinism

Albinism (1) is a genetic disorder that usually occurs due to the presence of defective genes that hinder the production of melanin pigment. Sometimes, faulty genes can influence how your body produces and distributes the melanin pigment, affecting your skin’s natural color.

Causes of Albinism

Specific gene mutations or defects that tamper the melanin production in the body.

Symptoms of Albinism

The notable symptom of Albinism is loss of color in eyes, skin, and hair. It can affect the entire skin or a small part based on the extent of the defect in their genes. You might also come across a few individuals with lighter hair, eyes, or skin, indicating Albinism. People with Albinism also experience symptoms like high sensitivity to light, total or partial blindness, involuntary eye movement at a rapid pace, crossed eyes, and more.

Subtypes of Albinism

Genetic defects generally cause albinism and its subtypes.

OCA or Oculocutaneous Albinism (2) is considered the severe type of Albinism and has several subtypes like OCA1, and OCA2.
Of these two types, OCA1 is the severe form of Albinism, as a defect in the tyrosinase enzyme causes it.
OCA2 type is caused when the SLC45A2 protein and TYRP1 gene are affected.
Ocular Albinism disorder occurs when the X chromosome is mutated, affecting the eyes alone. While the color pigment in the hair and skin remains normal, the retina and the eyes lack pigmentation, leading to vision issues.
Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (3) is connected to OCA and occurs when one of the eight genes responsible for the production of melanin pigment gets affected. It can cause severe effects like large intestine inflammation, pulmonary fibrosis, and blood clots.

Treatment Options for Albinism

Permanent cure for this skin discoloration disorder is still not found. However, with treatment, you can get relief from the severe symptoms. Your healthcare provider will arrive at the right treatment option after analyzing the severity of Albinism.

It is advisable to protect your skin and eyes from the sun’s harsh rays by wearing sunglasses and sunscreen with a high SPF.
Your health care specialist would prescribe eyeglasses to improve your vision if required. If you are experiencing rapid eye movements, then an eye muscle correction surgery might be done.

2. Melasma

Popularly known as the pregnancy mask or chloasma, this skin pigmentation disorder affects only women. Melasma (4) is a common skin discoloration disorder that affects humans having a dark skin tone.

Causes of Melasma

Though the real cause (5) behind this skin discoloration disorder remains unknown, people with high melanocyte activity are prone to develop this condition.
High sun exposure
Specific skincare products
Hormonal changes in women during pregnancies
Thyroid Imbalance

Symptoms of Melasma

Gray/brown skin patches of discoloration on the facial skin
Discoloration on the skin area that is commonly exposed to sunlight
Symmetrical dark patches on either side of the face or other parts of the body

Treatment Options for Melasma

If hormonal imbalance triggers Melasma, it will be eliminated as soon as the hormone levels are balanced.
Topical medications like liquid, lotions, or gels containing Hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and Tretinoin can get rid of the dark patches.
Specific cosmetic procedures like laser treatments for Melasma(6), microdermabrasion, and chemical peels can be undertaken for cosmetic purposes.

3. Vitiligo

Vitiligo, (7) the chronic skin pigmentation disorder has affected around 2% of the world’s population, equally spreading across every racial group. Study reveals (8) that this skin discoloration disorder is said to have induced psychological distress among the people who have it.

Causes of Vitiligo

It occurs when melanocytes cells are damaged by the immune system

Symptoms of Vitiligo

Loss of melanin pigment in the skin causing small or big white patches
Skin discoloration in arms, feet, eyes, mouth, genitals, head, and groin
Greying facial hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes
Discomfort and itching in the white skin patches
Discoloration in nose lining tissues

Treatment Options for Vitiligo

Cream with Opzelura or Corticosteroid for restoring pigment
Light sensitive medicines
Therapy with UV light
Surgery to remove the affected skin

4. Acanthosis Nigricans

This hyperpigmentation disorder (9) is an indicator of an underlying health issue. It causes skin discoloration in the skin folds of the nape, groin, and armpit.

Causes of Acanthosis Nigricans

Insulin resistance
Obesity
PCOS, irregular lipid levels, and Cushing Syndrome
Stomach and other forms of cancer may cause this discoloration
Genetically inheriting Autosomal dominant trait

Symptoms of Acanthosis Nigricans

Thick and velvety dark skin patches
Dry skin on patches
Itchy skin with tiny blisters
Skin Tags

Treatment Options for Acanthosis Nigricans

Blood Tests to identify underlying medical conditions
Medications with corticosteroids, and nicotinic acid
Hormone therapy

5. Xeroderma Pigmentosum

It is an inherited disorder that makes the person highly sensitive to UV light. The DNA cells in people affected by Xeroderma pigmentosum (10) condition gets damaged and doesn’t get repaired automatically as in normal people. These affected DNA can harm the eyes and skin of the individual.

Causes of Xeroderma Pigmentosum

It is inherited by autosomal recessive pattern
It occurs when DNA is damaged by UV light

Symptoms of Xeroderma Pigmentosum

Severe sunburns with blistering even if the skin is exposed to sunlight briefly
Sunburn takes several weeks to heal
Developing several freckles at a young age
A very dry skin condition called Xerosis
Developing solar keratosis, which is skin growth with a rough surface

Treatment Options for Xeroderma Pigmentosum

Taking measures to avoid UV exposure during the daytime
Using broad-spectrum sunscreen once in two hours
Regular Vitamin D supplements
Total body exams and skin examinations Oral medications with isotretinoin to treat skin cancer
Eye drops for preventing eye problems

Conclusion

There are proven procedures to cure noncritical skin pigmentation available with Kolors skin clinics. Their treatment options help remove the formation of melanin and helps lighten the skin tone. The expert at Kolors will examine the pigmentation site and advice on the treatment procedure. For example, the treatment might include using chemical peels to remove melanin build-up and pigment formation. As a result, you can once again have brighter skin post-treatment. Besides, the expert can advise on customized treatment options for long-lasting results.

Skin Pigmentation Or Skin Discoloration FAQs

Can you prevent skin pigmentation?

Skin pigmentation disorders that are caused due to a genetic component cannot be prevented. However, protecting the skin from the sun and taking good care of the skin to avoid damage can reduce the risk of developing a few types of skin pigmentation. In addition to sun exposure, birth control pills and hormone imbalance could also cause diseases like melasma. One should always use sunscreens to avoid skin damage due to the sun. Laser treatment and chemical peels could also help eliminate a few types.

What is the impact of skin pigmentation disorders on an individual’s life?

Skin pigmentation disorders can cause psychological and emotional impacts on a person’s life. For example, they can cause social anxiety and self-consciousness and, in some cases, might also cause depression. Therefore, in addition to managing the physical aspect of the disorder, one should also get help to manage the emotional side of it.

Are skin pigmentation disorders permanent?

All types of skin pigmentation disorders are not permanent. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can fade with time once the inflammation subsides. Over-the-counter medications or prescription lightening creams may decrease the time it takes to fade the area. Vitiligo or melasma, on the other hand, requires ongoing treatment.

Can one hide pigmentation by makeup?

Yes, cosmetics can be used to cover areas of skin discoloration. However, one should always make it a point to use only non-comedogenic or hypoallergenic products to avoid skin irritation.

Are skin pigmentation disorders contagious?

No, skin pigmentation disorders are neither life-threatening nor contagious.