The amount of pigment or melanin in the skin determine the color of a person's skin. In some conditions, melanin production can be disrupted, causing skin color to change. This condition can be caused by many things, and one of them is a pigment disorder.
Human skin color is very diverse. These differences can be influenced by genetic factors and environmental conditions that affect the pigment or amount of melanin in the body.
If the amount of melanin in the body is too much, the skin color will be darker. Conversely, if the body has less melanin, the skin color will look paler. Not only skin color, melanin also plays a role in giving dark color to hair and eyes.
Various Types of Pigment Disorders
Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes. However, these cells can be damaged, either from sun exposure, medication side effects, or certain medical conditions.
When melanocytes are damaged, melanin production can be disrupted and can affect skin color. This condition is also known as a pigmentation disorder.
Pigmentation disorders consist of various types. There are those that affect only a small area of the skin, but there are also pigmentation disorders that affect the entire body.
The following are some of the common pigment disorders:
1. Melasma
Melasma is characterized by the appearance of black patches on body parts that are often exposed to sunlight, such as the skin on the face, neck, and hands. This condition is known to be more common in women, although it is not impossible that men also experience it.
If it occurs in pregnant women, melasma is also called chloasma. This condition can go away on its own after the pregnancy is over or it can also be treated with skin creams.
If you suffer from melasma, you are advised not to be too often or too long exposed to the sun. Protect your skin by applying sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher before going outside. Do not hesitate to go to a dermatologist if this condition does not improve.
2. Vitiligo
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that attacks pigment-producing cells. This condition causes a decrease in melanin in certain areas of the skin, such as the arms, face, and body folds.
Vitiligo is usually characterized by the appearance of white patches on the skin. In addition, this pigment disorder condition is also accompanied by the appearance of gray hair in the hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, or beard before the age of 35 years.
This condition sometimes also causes discoloration or loss of color in the retina and the tissue that lines the inside of the mouth and nose.
3. Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that causes melanocyte cells to malfunction. The existence of this genetic disorder makes the skin, hair, or eyes in people with albinism become colorless because they do not have melanin. Not infrequently this condition also causes problems with vision.
There is no treatment that can treat albinism. However, there are several things that sufferers can do so that their condition does not worsen, such as using sunscreen all the time.
This is important because the skin of people with albinism is more at risk of being damaged by sun exposure or even suffering from skin cancer.
4. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
This condition is characterized by a change in the color of the skin to darker or lighter after experiencing inflammation or irritation.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can be triggered by skin infections, burns, or exposure to irritating substances that damage the skin. However, this condition usually gets better on its own within a few months.
In addition to disturbing the appearance of the skin, certain pigmentary disorders can be serious and require immediate treatment by a doctor.
Therefore, if you notice any black or white patches that appear suddenly and expand rapidly, are irregular in shape, or even bleed, immediately consult a doctor for proper treatment.