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Conditions

Skin Pigmentation Problems

Close-up of hyperpigmentation

Some skin conditions occur because the body produces either too much melanin (hyperpigmentation) or too little (hypopigmentation), which is the natural pigment responsible for the colour of our skin, hair and eyes. It’s melanin that protects the body from damaging ultraviolet light, which is why those with hypopigmentary conditions, such as albinism (causing light skin, white or pale yellow hair, and light blue or gray eyes) or vitilgo (which creates smooth, depigmented white spots on the skin) need to take extra care to protect their skin from the sun’s rays. ‘Liver spots’, which occur due to sun damage, are a common form of Hyperpigmentation (when the body produces too much melanin, causing skin to become darker than usual). Similarly, the skin condition melasma, which creates a dark mask-like discoloration that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose, can often be triggered during pregnancy when haywire hormones lead to an overproduction of melanin that causes the “mask of pregnancy” on the face and darkened skin on the abdomen and other areas.

Comments and Questions

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Hey i would love to know how the rest of this womans treatment went does she appear on any of the catch up episodes and if not will she in the future?





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hello i have brown marks all over my feet i am 35 and want to wear sandals but feel really embarrsed please help





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I have been having Laseer treatment in order to remove two tattoo's from my forearms. I have had a number of sessions and whilst the ink is disappearing I am left with an area that has lost it's pigmentation. I have read that normal pigment colouration may return but I am concerned that I will have the ghost of the original tattoo evident. Is there anything that can be done to speed up the return of normal pigmentation?





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HI i have black knee caps- i am a brown skin girl- however my knees are really dark and this is quite embarrassing during summer when i wear short dress or skirt or go to the beach. Everyone always ask why my knee is dark/black and it makes me very self conscious. Is there anything i can do to get my knees to be back to normal, same color as my whole body?





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Hello, regarding my last question, I just want to add that I am a black person





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Hello I have had marks on my skin from a early child hood and now at age 28 the marks have spread all over due to scratching my skin or mosquito bites and other unknown reason. The slightest scratch will let my skin puff up with a bit of water in it and when it bust or when I force it to, it would leave a black mark. The prominent recent ones are round and black in colour while the others over the years of using all sorts of skin cream with hydroquinone are more brown and patchy. I have tried all sorts of creams and thinking of laser but with marks all over my body even on my butt I find it very difficult to go into that direction. I have never in my life being able to expose my legs. This has cost me my confidence and has even been part of a reason my ex dumped me. I wish I can ever expose my legs before I die. I have beautiful legs but always in trousers or tights. By God's grace, I'm now married to a man who seems to like me for who I am but is very into short dress which it doesn't appear I can ever wear one with confidence if you don't help me and always makes me scared and put me to tear when we watch movies or see girl in dresses he likes especially when he makes comments of how beautiful they are. I love him but needs the confident to stay put. Please what should I use? and is my skin lacking anything that causes me to bruise easily? and of course HOW CAN I GET RID OF MY BLACK AND BROWN MARKED SKIN? PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME.





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Thank you for visiting our web site and for discussing your problem so openly. If you would like the opportunity to be seen by one of the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors and have your problems assessed and treated by a specialist, then why not apply for the chance to take part in the programme. Please visit the following link and click ‘Apply to be on the show’ where you can fill in an application form: http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/be-on-embarrassing-bodies/

Hi i have had marks on my skin from a early child hood and now at age 24 the marks have spread all over due to scratching my skin or mosquito bites. the slightest scratch would leave a mark. The prominant recent ones are round and black in colour while the others over the years of using all sorts of skin cream with hydroquinone are more brown and patchy. i have tried all sorts of creams and thinking of laser but with marks all over my body even on my butt i find it very difficult to go into that direction. what should i use? and is my skin lacking anyhting that causes me to bruise easily? and of course HOW CAN I GET RID OF MY BLACK AND BROWN MRAKED SKIN?





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Hey,I'm 13 and i have had pigment on me feet and now i have little ones on my legs also i have 1-2 on my wrists i am naturally tanne and they have appeared. Can you help?





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Hello I have dark brown patches around my mouth on my armpits and around my genitals I'm so embarrest I won't wear short sleves tops or let my partner see me in the light is there anything at all I can take or use to make the patches lighter please can you help or at least explain how this happened xxxx





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5 years ago I noticed I had a small patch on the lower part of my back. I went to my GP and she told me not to worry about it since it is hardly noticeable. Now I have light and dark patches on my back which spread all over. And I don't know who to ask for guidance and advice. I am an African woman who lived in but moved to the UK over 7 years ago. Can someone help me? Many thanks in advance





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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