Is Your Skin’s Pigmentation Normal? Here’s How to Tell
There are many skin conditions that can cause abnormal pigmentation, such as melasma, hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation, just to name a few. However, there’s another type of pigmentation that’s more common than you might think; physiologic pigmentation. Physiologic pigmentation means that your skin’s pigmentation is normal, which means the cause does not stem from illness, medications, or exposure to metals. It indicates that the degree of pigmentation is within a normal range for the individual. Normal is a broad range because it’s different for each individual.
What causes hypo-pigmentation?
The cause of hypo-pigmentation varies. Sun exposure, genetics and certain medications (including corticosteroids) can play a role in causing hypo-pigmentation. Severe sunburn or trauma can also cause temporary hypo-pigmentation that eventually returns to normal when healing occurs. In many people with hypo-pigmentation, it is caused by something called post inflammatory hyper pigmentation . Post inflammatory hyper pigmenation happens after an injury or an infection in which there is inflammation in tissues as part of a healing process.
Common signs of hypo-pigmentation
If a patient’s skin is hypo-pigmented, then there is less color than usual in an area of their skin. This is usually due to an issue with melanocytes. They are responsible for making melanin, which gives your skin its color. If something disrupts these cells or stops them from functioning properly, then it can cause hypo-pigmentation. It may seem like a small thing that you’d hardly even notice if you didn’t know about it before hand, but it can actually be serious because it impacts more than just how your skin looks!
Causes of mixed (or physiologic) pigmentations
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from other dermatologic diseases (psoriasis, acne, eczema, lichen planus, etc.). Somebody who has acne, eczema, and other skin conditions can be treated using Witch hazel. But before using it, make sure to read the procedure on how to apply it. But before using it, make sure to read the procedure on how to apply it. Drug-induced hyperpigmentation (minocycline, tetracycline, phenothiazines). Dental amalgam tattoos. These include smoking which should be considered predominately in adult population (addresses differential diagnosis of age specific pigmentation – see below).
What is physiologic pigmentation?
The term physiologic pigmentation describes pigment changes on areas of skin that are exposed to light or pressure. This includes areas such as your face, hands and lips. These types of pigment changes are normal in children and adults and they do not cause health problems. However, certain conditions may be associated with these pigmentations. For example, a condition called vitiligo results in white patches on various parts of your body caused by your immune system destroying melanocytes (the cells that make melanin). Conditions known as nevi or moles can also create some coloration changes on your skin. Although these conditions aren’t always problematic, it is important to see a doctor if you have any health concerns about pigmentation changes.
What is physiologic melanin pigmentation?
Is your skin’s pigmentation normal? If you look in a mirror and wonder, is it normal for my skin color to be blue?, or if you notice patches of uneven pigmentation and wonder what they could mean, you might be wondering whether your mucosal melanin pigmentation is physiologic. Also called normal melanin pigmentation, physiologic means that something is within a range expected for most people of a particular age. The range might be broad because we all have unique pigmentary systems. Physiologic melanin pigmentation refers to diffusely increased levels of eumelanin and pheomelanin within that range.
What is pigmentation on tongue?
There are a few causes of pigmentation on tongue. One is physiologic pigmentation, which is within a normal range for an individual. A pigment can be seen at birth, in adulthood, or any point in between. There are certain diseases that can cause mucosal pigmentation, as well, including lichen planus and vitiligo. If you have a change in your mouth that lasts longer than one week, you should see a doctor to make sure there isn’t something more serious going on.
What are pigmented oral lesions?
Mucosal pigmentation is a normal condition but is still a cause for concern. The most common cause of mucosal pigmentation is physiologic pigmentation predominately in adult population. The cause does not stem from illness, medications, or exposure to metals. It indicates that degree of pigmentation is within a normal range for individual (which may be different than others). Normal is a broad range because it’s different for each individual. This condition can sometimes occur as part of syndromes or genetic disorders such as Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy and oculocutaneous albinism type 4 which are conditions that can cause congenital defects involving pigmented lesions of mucosa and skin surface areas.
Is hyperpigmentation a disease?
Hyperpigmentation can occur for many reasons, but it’s mostly considered a benign condition. However, there are a few diseases that can cause hyperpigmentation. Two of these diseases include melasma and eczema. Melasma usually appears as dark patches on women’s cheeks, nose, forehead and chin – oftentimes due to pregnancy or exposure to hormones in birth control pills. Eczema (or atopic dermatitis) causes red patches of skin covered with an oily substance that contain discolored areas where scaly skin develops; these patches usually appear on your arms, legs and torso area. These two diseases require treatment from your doctor if they become severe or difficult to manage with over-the-counter products.
