Pigmentation simply means colour. Hyperpigmentation means high colour and hypopigmentation means low colour. Our colour is determined by the amount and type of melanin present in our skin. Melanin is produced in our melanocytes and when we are exposed to UV rays our melanocyte activity increases to produce a tan and ultimately protect our skin. Skin colour is determined by our DNA, culture, and the climate we live. People born into very hot countries will have much more colour (melanin) in their skin to protect it from harmful rays, whereas those born into cooler climates, will usually have pale, skin.
Hyperpigmentation could in theory be used to describe a tan, however, for some time now a tan has been considered a positive thing often referring to it as having a ‘healthy glow’. Hopefully by now the truth that this is not the case has been realised. Similarly freckles, which have always been considered sweet and cute are in fact a form of sun induced hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation, also known as sunspots or age spots are also caused by the sun. But pigmentation can be caused by other triggers, for example injury, trauma or illness leading to PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation). Certain medications as well as hormonal changes such as pregnancy are known to trigger a hyperpigmentation condition known as Melasma.
Loss of pigment (hypopigmentation) can also occur due to an injury, scar or a medical condition known as Vitiligo. Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. This happens when the melanocytes are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milky-white color. Vitiligo is thought to be linked to autoimmune diseases, which result in the immune system attacking its own healthy tissues in error, instead of foreign cells such as viruses or bacteria. The first signs may be in an area of the skin that has received extensive sun damage. At present there are no treatment options for loss of pigment.
