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Skin pigmentation is basically what is called the human body’s skin coloring. Melanin, a substance produced by the body’s skin cells (melanocytes), determines what kind of skin color a person will exhibit. The color of people’s skin varies according to racial origins or ethnic affiliations and the quantity of sun an individual is exposed to.

Typically mentioned when discussing skin pigmentation are skin problems and terms like freckles, flat moles, liver spots, brown spots, age spots, sun spots, solar lentigo, actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, port-wine stains, birthmarks, melasma, chloasma, mask of pregnancy, acne scarring, wound scarring, and post-inflammatory pigmentation. All of these terms are associated in some way to skin pigmentation. This is because skin disorders typically surface as discolorations of the skin.

Usually due to irregular activity with regards to the body’s usual melanin production, skin pigmentation disorders occur. When skin cells are damaged or unhealthy, melanin production can be seriously affected, leading to abnormalities in the pigmentation of the epidermis.

The entire person’s body can be affected by skin pigmentation irregularities but they can also surface as small spots only. Generally speaking, problems with skin pigmentation are usually divided into two classifications: hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation. Hypopigmentation is the irregular decrease of skin pigmentation while hyperpigmentation is the irregular increase in skin pigmentation.

What are the causes for the occurrence of hyperpigmentation? It occurs when there is an excessive production of the skin’s melanin. This causes the original skin coloration of a person to appear darker or more tan. The other name for hyperpigmentation is dyschromia. The most typically afflicted parts of the body where the discoloration appears are the hands, arms as well as face.

Classified as forms of dyschromia are freckles, liver spots, sun spots, age spots, as well as melasma. The causes for dyschromia include heredity, pregnancy, acne, failed skin treatments, Addison’s disease, hormonal changes, and sun exposure. In the case of hypopigmentation, melanin that is decreased in amount makes the skin lighter than it actually should be. Pityriasis alba, Tinea versicolor, blisters, burns, vitiligo, infections albinism, etc. are just several of the causes behind the decreased melanin production in hypopigmentation.

No matter what skin pigmentation problem a individual may have, that individual will usually not feel good about their skin’s condition. This is the reason why many people look for ways to treat their skin pigmentation problems medically. The discolorations can be treated through different ways. Many individuals make use of creams. Such creams help reduce the effects of the skin discoloration. Individuals also make use of skin lightening products which have retinoids, kojic acid, hydroquinone and Vitamin C.

Skin pigmentation is a big concern when it comes to one’s appearance. That is why it is no surprise that a lot of money and effort are utilized for research and development on treatments for skin pigmentation disorders.