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Hypopigmentation is characterized specifically as an area of Human skin becoming lighter than the baseline skin color, but not completely devoid of skin pigment. This is not to be confused with depigmentation, which is characterized as the absence of all pigment. It is caused by melanocyte or melanin depletion, or a decrease in the amino acid tyrosine, which is used by melanocytes to make melanin. Some common genetic causes include mutations in the tyrosinase gene or OCA2 gene. As melanin pigments tend to be in the skin, eye, and hair, these are the commonly affected areas in those with hypopigmentation.
Hypopigmentation is common and approximately one in twenty have at least one hypopigmented macule. Hypopigmentation can be upsetting to some, especially those with darker skin whose hypopigmentation marks are seen more visibly. Most causes of hypopigmentation are not serious and can be easily treated.
Treatment for hypopigmentation depends on the initial cause of the discoloration.
| +Treatments for Hypopigmentation (2025). 9780071748902, McGraw-Hill. ISBN 9780071748902 | Initial Cause of Discoloration | Treatment |
| Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis | No treatment | |
| Postinflammatory hypopigmentation | Treat the underlying inflammatory disease to restore pigmentation | |
| Tinea versicolor | A topical ointment, such as selenium sulfide 2.5% or imidazoles. Can also use oral medications, such as oral imidazoles or triazoles. | |
| Vitiligo | Topical immunosuppressants, including calcineurin inhibitors. Patients can also have transplants if they are stable or a depigmentation with topical MBEH if the patient has widespread discoloration. | |
| Leukoderma | Avoidance of causative agent with subsequent treatment similar to vitiligo. | |
| Piebaldism | None; occasionally transplants. |
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