Pigmentary Disorders
Normal skin color depends on melanin, hemoglobin (oxidized and reduced), and carotenoids. Melanin is the major color determinant and is responsible for variations in skin color. Pigmentary disorders typically indicate an increased amount of melanin, leading to darker color of the skin, called hypermelanosis or hyperpigmentation (Box 1). Decreased or absent pigment makes the skin appear lighter or white, known as hypomelanosis or hypopigmentation (Box 2). The disorders can be genetic or acquired.
