Which disorder is caused by a lack of melanin production?

Author: Thad Miller  |  Last update: Monday, January 19, 2026

The term albinism usually refers to oculocutaneous (ok-u-low-ku-TAY-nee-us) albinism (OCA). OCA is a group of disorders passed down in families where the body makes little or none of a substance called melanin. The type and amount of melanin in your body determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes.

What disorders are caused by lack of melanin?

If your body makes too little melanin, your skin gets lighter. Vitiligo is a condition that causes patches of light skin. Albinism is a genetic condition affecting a person's skin. A person with albinism may have no color, lighter than normal skin color, or patchy missing skin color.

What is lack of production of melanin?

Albinism. When a person has very little melanin, it results in this rare disorder. People with albinism have pale skin, white hair and blue eyes. There's also an increased risk for vision loss and sun damage.

What is it called when you lack melanin?

Albinism. This rare, inherited disorder is characterized by a total or partial lack of melanin in the skin, compared to the pigmentation of siblings and parents. While people with albinism, called albinos, often have very light skin and hair, not all do.

What is a genetic disorder with a lack of melanin called?

Albinism is a genetic disorder where you're born with less melanin pigment than usual. Melanin is a chemical in your body that determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes.

What causes melanin deficiency?

What disease is caused by the absence of melanin?

The term albinism usually refers to oculocutaneous (ok-u-low-ku-TAY-nee-us) albinism (OCA). OCA is a group of disorders passed down in families where the body makes little or none of a substance called melanin. The type and amount of melanin in your body determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes.

What is melanin deficiency?

Melanin is a vital pigment producing compound responsible for determining the colour of skin and hair. A deficiency in melanin can lead to several disorders and diseases. For example, a complete absence of melanin causes a condition called albinism.

What if a person has no melanin?

This is a rare, inherited disorder. It reduces the amount of melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes. People with albinism (albinos) have white hair, pale skin, and pink or blue eyes. Their eyes may seem red in different lighting conditions.

What disease did Michael Jackson have?

Jackson's dermatologist, Arnold Klein, said he observed in 1983 that Jackson had vitiligo, a condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. He also identified discoid lupus erythematosus in Jackson. He diagnosed Jackson with lupus that year, and with vitiligo in 1986.

What is genetic lack of melanin?

Albinism, caused by a deficiency of melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eye (oculocutaneous albinism [OCA]), or primarily in the eye (ocular albinism [OA]), results from mutations in genes involved in the biosynthesis of melanin pigment.

Does lack of melanin age you?

The sun and its UV rays break down collagen and elastin, which leads to sagging and other signs of aging. Melanin-rich skin has the benefit of additional built-in UV radiation, but also tends to show aging in a form other than wrinkles.

What is the main cause of melanin production?

The primary stimulus for melanogenesis and subsequent melanosome production is UV radiation, which upregulates melanocyte production of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and its downstream products, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

What age does vitiligo start?

The average age of onset of vitiligo is in the mid-twenties, but it can appear at any age. The size and number of patches varies from person to person. The condition tends to progress over time, with larger areas of the skin losing pigment.

What is the lack of melanin gene?

Albinism affects the production of melanin, the pigment that colours skin, hair and eyes. It's a lifelong condition, but it does not get worse over time. People with albinism have a reduced amount of melanin, or no melanin at all. This can affect their colouring and their eyesight.

Did Michael Jackson have Peter Pan syndrome?

His obsession with the character and apparent fascination with all things youth-oriented quickly resulted in the press labeling Jackson as having "Peter Pan Syndrome." Not listed in any diagnostic journal, it's a pop psychology condition referring to an adult, usually male, who does not want to engage with the world as ...

How many plastic surgeries did Michael Jackson have?

For years, fans watched the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, 's appearance undergo dramatic changes. Despite the visible alterations, the singer publicly acknowledged only two nose surgeries and attributed his increasingly lighter skin to vitiligo.

What celebrities have vitiligo?

Famous Vitiligans
  • Winnie HarlowTop model. ...
  • Michael JacksonThe King of Pop (1958-2009) ...
  • Lee Thomas4x Emmy Award Nominee. ...
  • Big Krizz KalikoRapper and singer. ...
  • Yvette FieldingBroadcaster, producer and actress. ...
  • Rasheed Abdul WallaceProfessional basketball player. ...
  • Eddie "Among Ed" Tongol PanlilioRoman Catholic priest.

What disease causes lack of melanin?

Vitiligo is caused by the lack of a pigment called melanin in the skin. Melanin is produced by skin cells called melanocytes, and it gives your skin its colour. In vitiligo, there are not enough working melanocytes to produce enough melanin in your skin.

Did Michael Jackson really have vitiligo?

It was also confirmed by the analysis of Michael Jackson's autopsy that he suffered from skin pigmentation disorder vitiligo because his skin turned white on his chest, face, arms and abdomen. The lips of the 'They Don't Care About Us' singer was found to be tattooed pink and his eyebrows were tattooed black.

What does someone with no melanin look like?

Albinism is an inherited condition in which the body produces little or no melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin and hair. It may cause very pale skin and hair. Albinism can affect anyone, but its prevalence varies by region.

What stops melanin production?

Ingredients such as soy, niacinamide (vitamin B3), and various botanical extracts have shown promise in reducing melanin production with fewer side effects compared to synthetic compounds. These natural alternatives are gaining popularity among consumers who prefer more holistic approaches to skincare.

What color is pure melanin?

Microscopic appearance. Melanin is brown, non-refractile, and finely granular with individual granules having a diameter of less than 800 nanometers. This differentiates melanin from common blood breakdown pigments, which are larger, chunky, and refractile, and range in color from green to yellow or red-brown.

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