What Is Skin Pigmentation?

Skin pigmentation refers to the color of your skin. It's determined by the amount and type of melanin, a pigment made by specialized skin cells known as melanocytes. Changes in melanin production can cause pigment disorders, such as hyperpigmentation (dark spots), hypopigmentation (light spots), depigmentation (white spots or patches).

Skin damage from acne, blisters, cuts, sun exposure, genetic factors, and autoimmune conditions are all possible causes for changes in melanin and, thus, skin pigmentation.

This article discusses skin pigmentation and genetics. It also details skin pigment disorders and how to treat them.

What Causes Skin Pigmentation? 

Your skin tone is the result of a complex process during which special cells inside the outer layer of your skin called melanocytes produce melanin. Inside these special skin cells are organelles (or mini-organs of the cell) called melanosomes. Variations in the color of your skin depend on the amount, size, and functioning of these tiny melanin factories.

There are two key types of melanin:

• Eumelanin is brown and black in color and protects your skin. It does so by limiting the amount of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can break through and pick up reactive oxygen radicals which—if left alone—could damage your cells and DNA and potentially lead to chronic health conditions like cancer.
• Pheomelanin, on the other hand, is yellow and red in color. Unlike eumelanin, pheomelanin provides very little protection from UV rays and can actually support the production of reactive oxygen radicals and the damage they cause.

Your skin pigmentation is determined by the balance of these types of melanin in your skin. This can shift depending on your hormones, interactions with other cells in your body, the impact of certain genes, and more.  

Genetics

Amazingly, over 125 genes are known to affect skin pigmentation. Along with hormones, genes are responsible for regulating the melanin production process. They can adjust how much eumelanin or pheomelanin your skin cells produce and how well they survive and function. This causes shifts in skin color over time.

Variations in skin pigmentation are believed to reflect evolutionary adaptations that allowed our ancestors to survive 300,000 to 1 million years ago. As they moved within and outside of Africa, darker skin and lighter skin both came with key benefits:

• Darker skin helped protect people from harmful UV rays in high-sun areas.
• Lighter skin allowed others to produce vitamin D more efficiently in places with less sunlight (a key component of the vitamin D synthesis process).

Types of Skin Pigmentation Disorders

Skin pigment disorders, injuries, and other changes in your body can cause your skin to lighten, darken, or change in color. You might notice changes in your skin tone in multiple areas on the surface of your skin or only in certain patches of skin.

Types of skin pigmentation include:

• Hyperpigmentation
• Hypopigmentation
• Depigmentation

Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation causes skin to become darker or different in color due to an abnormally high amount of melanin or other pigments in the skin. 

Hyperpigmentation can be caused by:

• Birthmarks 
• Age spots 
• Acne scars 
• Pregnancy (during which melasma, or tan, brown, or gray patches can appear on the face)
• Addison’s disease, or a rare disorder which causes decreased function of the adrenal gland and dark patches of skin
• Certain drugs such as antibiotics and birth control pills
• Sun exposure
• Cryotherapy, laser therapy, or light therapy

Hypopigmentation

Skin with hypopigmentation is lighter in color due to an abnormally low amount of melanin. 

Reasons for hypopigmentation include:

• Past skin injuries due to burns, blisters, ulcers, chemical exposure, or infection 
• Inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema (atopic dermatitis)
• Rare genetic conditions like albinism, which is caused by the lack of a melanin-producing enzyme

Depigmentation

Depigmentation occurs when your skin completely loses pigment and turns white. One common cause of depigmentation is vitiligo, an autoimmune condition that causes smooth, white patches to appear on the skin.

Are Skin Pigmentation Problems Curable?

Treatment for skin pigmentation discoloration varies depending on the cause. Certain forms of skin discoloration may fade with over-the-counter solutions and self-care. Other skin conditions may require ongoing management with the help of a qualified dermatologist, or doctor who specializes in skin, nails, and hair. 

Hyperpigmentation 

It’s important to check in with your healthcare provider to diagnose and treat any potential underlying causes of hyperpigmentation.

After that, many forms of hyperpigmentation can be treated with therapies such as:

• Topical medications like hydroquinone cream
• Chemical peels
• Dermabrasion
• Light or laser therapy
• Cryotherapy

If pregnancy has caused darker skin spots to appear, talk to your healthcare provider about how to manage them. Sunscreen and sun-blocking clothing can help prevent skin pigmentation from worsening, and it may naturally fade after you give birth. If not, over-the-counter and prescription creams could help restore your skin tone. 

Hypopigmentation and Depigmentation  

If parts of your skin are on the lighter side due to skin damage, time and patience are typically the only treatment you need as your skin rebuilds. In the meantime, cosmetics can help even out your skin tone. 

For depigmentation from chronic skin conditions, consult with a dermatologist to determine the best treatment plan for you. Depending on the cause, you may benefit from therapies such as:

• Covering patches with dyes
• Light-sensitive medicines
• Light therapy
• Prescription creams
• Surgery

Summary

Skin pigmentation describes the color of your skin due to the amount of melanin it contains. Genetics, skin damage, sun exposure, and hormones can impact your skin pigmentation and cause it to lighten, darken, or change in color.

Treatment options will vary depending on the type of skin pigmentation concern you are dealing with.

A Word From Verywell

Any shift in skin tone can be concerning or upsetting. If you’re living with skin damage or a chronic skin condition that changes your appearance, it’s normal to feel stressed out, embarrassed, or frustrated about having to deal with this change.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider or therapist for more help. Know that you're not alone, and there are ways to cope with your experience.