One of the most common manifestations of pigmentation problems is vitiligo. It is a very typical pigmentation condition that interrupts the uniformity of skin colour, producing areas of hypopigmentation – loss of color in the skin. It can be very harmful to a person’s self image. Studies estimate that 65 million people worldwide have vitiligo. Up to 2 million of these people live in the United States.

Vitiligo affects about one in every hundred people. It stands to reason, therefore, that there are famous people who also suffer from this pigmentation condition.

Indeed, Michael Jackson, the King of pop, suffered vitiligo during his life. He publicly revealed that he had this condition in the early 1990s. Michael Jackson was diagnosed with vitiligo and lupus in the 1980s. His skin color changed from medium brown to very white throughout the 1980s, 1990s and up until his death. For this reason, it has been speculated that Michael Jackson opted for depigmentation rather than re-pigmentation in order to treat his condition of vitiligo. Amithab Bacchan, and Indian actor and an icon of Bollywood film, also suffers from vitiligo and has achieved a highly successful career despite this condition.

While both Michael Jackson and Amithab Bacchan have dark skin tones, the pigmentation condition of vitiligo is does not only affect ethnic skin. Thomas Lennon is an American actor best known for his role in the comedy series Reno 911. Thomas Lennon has fair skin and blonde hair, yet suffers from vitiligo. A close-up of Thomas Lennon in an episode, The Investigation, showed this condition on his hands, face and hips.

Holly Marie Combs is another American actor to suffer from this skin pigmentation problem. Holly Marie Combs played Piper on the television series, Charmed. Her vitiligo is not severe, but she suffers from this condition on both hands, which is noticeable on some episodes of Charmed. Hedvig Lindahl, a Swedish soccer player who won goalkeeper of the years in Sweden in 2004-2005, has suffered from vitiligo since early childhood. She was fiver years old when she first discovered the condition.

A very severe case of vitiligo can be seen in the skin of Lee Thomas. Lee Thomas is a playwright, journalist and four-time Emmy award winner. Lee Thomas first noticed the pigmentation condition at the age of 25. Since then, Lee Thomas has been seen in the public eye with and without make up to cover the condition. Photographs of Lee Thomas which show his condition indicate the severity of vitiligo and the contrast of pigmentation that can occur. Lee Thomas is very open about the condition and has written an autobiography, which references his vitiligo and the effects this skin condition has had upon his life.

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Pigmentation And Enzyme Therapy 

Enzyme therapy, also known as systemic enzyme therapy, is used to treat a variety of conditions including pigmentation. Enzyme therapy involves the administration of enzymes into the body. Enzymes are macromolecules that do a range of things. They speed up biological processes in the body, work to digest food, break down toxins, reduce stress to the pancreas, build protein muscle and cleanse the blood as well as strengthen the immune system. Enzyme therapy encourages enzymes to flow through the body, producing beneficial, healing changes.

Enzyme therapies for the skin are non-invasive treatments that remove the dead protein cells from the surface of the skin. When used to treat skin pigmentation problems, enzyme therapy is used to stimulate new collagen production and restore the structural integrity and cellular organization of the skin. Enzyme therapy can be used by people with most skin types. The treatment does work best for people with fair skin, but specific programs can also be constructed for people with Asian, Indian and darker skin tones. For people suffering from pigmentation problems that affect their face, enzyme therapy can be used as an effective facial treatment. For those wishing to treat pigmentation problems through the use of enzyme therapy, this treatment can help to inhibit melanin production as well as remove dark spots, pigmentation, freckles and sun damage. While enzyme treatments claim to result in improvement in your condition as well as restoring your skin to a level of general health, they are not 100% guaranteed. A definite timeframe cannot be given for expected results and results can vary from person to person depending on each individual’s skin. Some people experience results after a single treatment while others require several treatments over a period of time in order to achieve the desired results.

After enzyme treatment you may experience side effects such as tightness and dryness of the skin, redness or irritation, stinging or burning. Some people also experience an outbreak of acne, and this can be a result of the enzyme therapy unlocking the impurities in the skin. You may also experience darkening of the skin as skin cells with pigmentation move to the surface. This can indicate that the enzyme therapy is working as it should to reduce your pigmentation problem. Exfoliation on your face should resolve this issue and result in more even pigmentation. There is a small possibility of a negative reaction, although this is to be expected with any treatment to your face. Ensure that you avoid sun exposure after having enzyme treatment. The treatment causes UV sensitivity so ensure that you wear a quality UVA/UVB sunblock with an SPF of 30 or more following your treatment.

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Pigmentation : Ethnic Skin Treatment

People with ethnic skin can experience pigmentation problems differently to the way that people with fair skin do. Darker skin has greater natural defence from the sun’s ultraviolet light (UVL). People with darker skin tones experience less damage to the skin and fewer signs of aging than those with fair skin. When aging does occur, however, pigmentation changes such as dark marks and discolorations can occur on the skin’s surface. Changes in the skin’s pigmentation as a result of aging is very common in people with African American skin. People with ethnic skin can experience dark patches of pigmentation and light areas of pigmentation on the skin.

There are a number of treatments for your pigmentation problems, depending on the type of problem that occurs. Hyper-pigmentation – darker skin discolorations caused by too much pigment – can be treated with creams, chemical peels and professional therapies. Because of the increased melanin and darker skin tone, treatment of pigmentation problems in ethnic skin can present a higher level of risk. Many dermatologists advise people with ethnic skin not to self-treat their pigmentation problem. Skin lightening creams are available though many of these creams include bleaching agents such as hydroquinone, alpha-hydroxy acids and tretinon.  These bleaching agents can cause further problems in your pigment and can result in a loss of color (hypo-pigmentation) in the skin. These skin bleaching creams can cause permanent damage to your skin and exacerbate your pigmentation problems. Hydroquinone can be very harmful, and long term use can lead to blue or black pigmentation in the skin. Hydroquinone is banned in countries such as Japan and South Africa, because of these effects. Do not use creams that contain steroids or mercury. Steroids can cause permanent skin damage such as redness and thinning of the skin. Mercury is a poison.

While there are more natural products available to treat pigmentation problems at home, people with ethnic skin should seek professional advise before trying them. Experienced professionals can accurately identify the root cause of your pigmentation problem and decide which treatments are most appropriate. You may consider undergoing professional treatment such as laser therapy to IPL therapy. Keep in mind that some treatments are not suitable for people with ethnic skin. Be sure to seek advice from a dermatologist or a recognised professional before undergoing any treatment. For example, application of treatments such as laser therapy and IPL therapy need be tailored to your skin type as it can over-lighten skin on dark skin tones. The power of the equipment may need to be decreased in order to safely treat your darker skin tone.

While your skin is naturally more protected from UV rays, you may prevent pigmentation problems by avoiding excess sun exposure. Use a UV sunblock with PA+++ and SPF 30-plus sunscreen, as PA+++ has enough power to prevent ethnic skin from tanning.

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Pigmentation Beauty Secrets 

Pigmentation is a disorder that causes the skin to appear blotchy and discoloured or lighter or darker than normal. This can occur when the body produces either too much or too little melanin. Melanin is a natural pigment that produces hair, skin and eye colour – it is nature’s way of protecting the body from ultraviolet light. The most common form of pigmentation is hyper-pigmentation, where the body produces too much melanin, causing the skin to become darker than usual and therefore uneven in tone. Pigmentation is most commonly caused by skin damage. One of the best beauty secrets for overcome problem pigmentation is to wear sunscreen every day all year round. Dermatologists recommend the use of broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF30+ sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen regularly and wear clothing that protects your face, arms and legs when you are out in the sun. Do not use tanning beds as they are harmful for your skin and will do similar damage to natural sun exposure. For a quick cover up of skin pigmentation problems, apply self-tanning lotion to the affected area. Self-tanning lotions made specifically for the facial area are available as well as lotions made for the body. Use the tanning lotion as instructed on the packaging. The tan should give your skin a more even complexion and it will also negate the need to use a harmful tanning bed. Lightening creams that contain chemicals such as hydroquinone, alpha-hydroxy acids and tretinon are not safe to use. They will not result in more beautiful skin but can in fact lead to hypo-pigmentation – whitening of the skin. Hydroquinone has been banned in some countries for this reason. For a safe, natural skin-lightening product, you could try Rejuvene Skin Lightening Cream, which contains liquorice extract. Studies have shown liquorice extract to be an effective skin lightener as well as being anti-inflammatory.

For very natural treatment of your pigmentation problems, try one of these natural beauty secrets. Use a gentle scrub to exfoliate your skin. Ground and polished apricot kernels, sugar, baking soda, salt or ground peanuts can be beneficial exfoliates. Ensure that you don’t irritate the skin. Try combining an exfoliation product with products that contain natural soy. Soy can work to improve skin discoloration and uneven skin tone and is scientifically proven to even skin tone and texture. Another beauty secret for pigmentation is to burst vitamin E gel caplets and apply daily to the affected area of skin. Finally, this beauty secret will improve the pigmentation on your face and is cheap and easy. Mix lemon juice and cucumber juice and apply it to your skin. Leave it on for 20 minutes and it will brighten your complexion.

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Quick Treatment Options For Pigmentation

If you need to treat your pigmentation problem, treatment begins by identifying the cause. Your skin can react to cosmetics and creams that you apply. If this is the case immediately discontinue the use of the cosmetic and replace it with a product that does not irritate your skin. Pigmentation on the face may also be due to an allergic reaction to antibiotics. In this case, ask your doctor to change the medicine or wait till your course of medicine is over then treat your skin condition. If you have facial pigmentation due to overexposure to the sun, avoid exposure to the sun, as this will exacerbate the condition. Avoid being outside during ten am and three pm, when the sun’s UV rays are most powerful. If you do go out during the day wear a hat. Start using an SPF 30 plus UVA/UVB sunblock on your face every day. After removing the cause of your pigmentation, you will have finished the first part of effective treatment.

Exfoliating the outer layer of the skin can be an effective treatment of facial pigmentation. Mild exfoliation can be performed at home with a natural scrub. Stronger exfoliation may be needed – in this case, laser resurfacing, chemical peels or microdermabrasion are possible treatment options. Lightening the skin tone can be done through over-the-counter skin pigmentation creams. Skin lightening creams can be applied onto the skin to treat freckles, age spots and uneven skin tone. Be careful using pigmentation creams as many contain harsh chemicals that can dry out your skin and cause damage in the long-term. Skin lightening creams often contain the chemical hydroquinone. Unfortunately, this substance can be harmful, thinning the skin and leading to deposits of blue or black pigment into the skin. This chemical is banned in many countries, such as Japan and South Africa, because of these side effects. In the United States over-the-counter products containing hydroquinone are limited to 4% hydroquinone under the regulation of the FDA. Creams containing lactic acid, fruit acid or glycolic acid may be safer treatment options. Other products can lighten the skin. Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent that you can mix with cucumber juice and apply to your skin. Leave it for twenty minutes then wash off. Products that contain natural soy can also work to improve skin discoloration and uneven skin tone. Lime, papaya and aloe vera are also natural cures for hyper-pigmentation. At home treatments for facial pigmentation will only treat the surface layers of the skin and your excess pigment may return. However, laser treatment and other professional treatments can reach down to the deep, dermal layers of your skin, where pigmentation originates.

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Lemon Juice To Treat Pigmentation Problems 

Irregular pigmentation can be seen when the skin becomes discolored or blotchy. Pigmentation problems will cause the skin to appear lighter or darker than normal, as a result of an overproduction or underproduction of melatonin. These changes in skin pigmentation can be caused by drug reactions, medications, hormonal changes, autoimmune conditions or genetic inheritance. Hormonal changes such as pregnancy can result in changes in skin pigmentation. This is common in white women and women with fairer skin and blond hair. And can show as blotchiness in skin color on the forehead, cheeks, bridge of the nose and upper lip area of the face as well as the neck area. If women are pregnant and need relief from this pigmentation condition, it can be useful to try natural remedies before investing in painful and potentially harmful treatments such as laser therapy. Age spots or lentigines refer to the brownish spots that appear over time on the face and body as a result of sun exposure. Freckles or ephiledes are small flat brown marks that occur on sun exposed areas. Pigmentation problems that cannot be treated by ending the cause of the occurrence can still be improved.

You can use a range of home remedies to improve pigmentation problems, and one of the best remedies that you will find is lemon juice. Lemon is a natural skin lightener, it boosts the immune system and it will detox your body to stimulate proper function. Lemon juice can be used to lighten freckles over time. Squeeze the juice from a fresh lemon. Dab the juice onto freckles or dark patches of skin. Leave on your skin until it is dry and then wash off with water. The high acidic content of lemon juice will exfoliate the skin, increase cell turnover and fade freckles over time. Lemon products can work as a face mask to lighten the skin. Squeeze the juice from a lemon, mix it with cucumber juice and apply it to your skin. Leave it on the skin for twenty minutes then wash off. Lemon juice is also a great way to boost your immune system, which will assist in skin rejuvenation and help to overcome pigmentation problems. Drinking a glass of lemon juice daily can help build a strong immune system to keep you healthier and remove toxins from the body, resulting in healthier skin.

If you are suffering from jaundice or decreased liver functioning, you may experience pigmentation in the form of yellow skin all over your body. Lemon juice is an excellent liver stimulant that can aid in the treatment of liver problems. This detoxification property in lemon juice will result in a reduction of the skin’s yellow coloration as the toxins are flushed from the body.

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Herbal Remedies For Pigmentation

Pigmentation problems are skin coloring problems. These skin problems are very harmless and they are also easily treated.

There are numerous herbal treatments for pigmentation problems. Treatment depends on the pigmentation problem you are suffering from. There are many types of skin disorders of this type. There are liver spots, melasma, age spots and freckles.

Lemon juice works wonders on areas on the skin that have pigmentation problems. The acidic nature of the juice burns the area and bleaches it. You will have your even skin tone back after some time. You should also ensure that you use this method at least twice a day after having a bath.

Lime is also another herbal treatment option for pigmentation problems. It works just the same way as lemon juice. You should also use it twice a day and wait for the good results on your skin.

A healthy diet is very important in treating pigmentation problems. Ensure that the food you take is balanced and rich in vitamins E and A. Vitamin A is known to replenish the skin. It leads to growth of new cells and repair of old ones. When this happens, you will be able to get rid of your pigmentation problems.

Onions are also used to treat pigmentation problems. Blend some onions and mix the juice obtained with apple cider vinegar. Use this mixture on the affected area on a daily basis and you will see good results. The pigmentation will get lost with time.

Cucumber juice is not only good for the stomach. It is as good on pigmentation problems. The juice works by making the spots fade and get your normal and even skin tone back.

There is another option to herbal treatments for pigmentation problems. Drink a glass of lemon water every morning and do not add sugar. This will internally work on the skin problem. The dark spots on your skin will disappear. You can also mix cucumber juice with lemon. The two combined burn the dark spot in your skin hence making it fade with time. When you have pigmentation problems and you also have a dry skin, please mix cucumbers with honey for the purpose of hydration.

In conclusion, it is very important for you to know that these herbal treatments do not work just instantly and you need a lot of patience and commitment for you to get rid of pigmentation problems this way.

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Causes of Skin Pigmentation Problems

If you suffer from irregular pigmentation, avoid sun exposure, as pigmentation problems are most commonly caused by sun damage.  Pigmentation problems such as freckles, sun spots and other irregularities are caused by prolonged exposure to the sun as a result of the sun’s UV rays. Avoid the sun between 10am and 3pm, as these hours present the most risk of harmful UV exposure. If you need to go into the sun, dermatologists recommend the use of broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF30+ sunscreen, which you should reapply regularly. Avoid tanning salons, as the use of tanning beds will have similar consequences to natural sun exposure. If you have recently had microdermabrasion, laser treatment, IPL therapy, LED light therapy or chemical peels, be extra careful to avoid sun exposure. These treatments heighten your risk of pigmentation problems occurring due to sun damage. Allow time for the layers of you skin to heal before risking sun exposure.

Avoid using products that might irritate the skin, such as products containing fragrance, dye alcohol and lanolin. Avoid using abrasive cleansers that can irritate the skin and make the skin more susceptible to discoloration problems. Some people find that exfoliates work well to overcome pigmentation problems, but be aware that everybody’s skin reacts differently, and if you notice skin irritation, discontinue use of the product to blame. Avoid using bleaching creams that contain chemicals such as hydroquinone, alpha-hydroxy acids and tretinon to treat your pigmentation problems. While they are marketed very well, these creams can be harmful to your skin and may result in further pigmentation problems. Avoid any products containing mercury or steroids.

Some medical treatments for other conditions may affect your skin coloration. A product containing cortisol, for example, which is used to treat skin complaints such as eczema, have been known to bleach the skin – this is known as hypopigmentation. Before beginning any new medication, discuss your concerns with your physician or pharmacist to ensure that the treatment will not cause unwanted skin pigmentation. If you are currently using medication it might pay to consult a professional to ensure the medication does not have side effects for the pigmentation of your skin.

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Skin Pigmentation Emedicine

Could My Child Have A Pigmentation Disorder?

Human skin color is primarily due to melanin and ranges from almost black to white with a pinkish tinge due to blood vessels underneath, variations in skin hue can be caused by tanning due to exposure to sunlight, but are mainly of genetic origin although the evolutionary causes are not completely certain.

Albinism is a pigmentation disorder characterized by the complete or partial absence or defect of an enzyme involved in the production of melanin. It results from inheritance of recessive gene alleles and is known to affect all vertebrates, including humans.

Most forms of albinism are the result of the biological inheritance of genetically recessive genes passed from both parents of an individual, though some rare forms are inherited from one parent.

The albinism gene is recessive; it does not result in albinism unless a person has two copies of the gene for albinism and no copy of the gene that makes normal pigmentation. When both parents carry the gene, and neither parent has albinism, there is a one in four chances at each pregnancy that the baby will be born with albinism. In this form of pigment disorder, inheritance is called autosomal recessive inheritance

Albinism is divided into two groups. Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) which involves the eyes, hair and skin pigmentation, which produce the pale skin and eyes affiliated with albinism. People with oculocutaneos albinism can have anything from no pigment at all to almost normal levels of pigmentation. And Ocular (OA) albinism involves the eyes but does not generally cause the lack of skin pigmentation people who have ocular albinism have generally normal skin and hair color, although it is typically lighter than either parent. Ocular albinism is sex-linked; therefore males are more likely to be affected. Males are without another X chromosome to mask recessive alleles on the X they inherit.

Most albinistic humans appear white or very pale as the melanin pigments responsible for brown, black and some yellow coloration is not present.

Because individuals with albinism have skin that partially or entirely lacks the dark pigment melanin, which helps protects the skin from sun’s ultraviolet radiation; their skin can burn more easily from overexposure

As you have seen, this type of skin pigmentation problems is genetic. It cannot be avoided and your children are at risk if you have a family history of skin pigmentation problems. This is the case for other skin pigmentation problems.

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