What is hypopigmentation?
Melanin is a term for a group of natural pigments responsible for the pigmentation of skin and hair. The melanin pigments are produced in a specialized group of cells known as melanocytes, located at the basal layer at border between the dermis and epidermis. When these cells don’t make enough melanin, the skin can lighten and result in a condition called hypopigmentation. Hypopigmentation is a condition in which areas of the skin are lighter than normal. These areas can occur in specific spots, such as face and limbs, or they can occur across the whole body. It can be caused by injury, inflammation, skin infection, certain medical conditions, or certain medicines. An example of hypopigmentation is vitiligo, an acquired chronic pigmentation disorder that is characterized by white patches of skin that are often symmetrical and usually increase in size and number over time. It affects 0.5% to 1% of population worldwide, it does not affect physical health, but can have a strong impact on self-esteem.
