About Pigmentation

Pigmentation means coloring. Skin pigmentation disorders affect the color of your skin. Skin cells give your skin color by making a brown substance (pigment) called melanin.
 
Melanin acts as a sunscreen, and is a defence response of skin to damaging effect of sun rays.
 
If the body makes too much melanin (Hyperpigmentation), your skin gets darker as in pregnancy, Addison's disease and sun exposure.
 
If your body makes too little melanin (Hypopigmentation), your skin gets lighter as in vitiligo.
 

Causes of Hyperpigmentation