Which hormone causes skin darkening?

Author: Isom Gleichner II  |  Last update: Thursday, March 27, 2025

Estrogen and progesterone are two of the major factors responsible for catamenial hyperpigmentation of the skin.

What hormones make your skin darker?

PHILADELPHIA — When skin cells responsible for pigmentation are exposed to estrogen or progesterone, the cells respond by adjusting their melanin production, resulting in either skin darkening or lightening.

How do you get rid of hormonal skin darkness?

Treatments may include:
  1. Creams that contain certain substances to improve the appearance of melasma.
  2. Chemical peels or topical steroid creams.
  3. Laser treatments to remove the dark pigment if melasma is severe.
  4. Stopping hormone medicines that may be causing the problem.
  5. Medicines taken by mouth.

What is skin darkening a symptom of?

Causes of hyperpigmentation include: Skin inflammation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) Use of certain drugs (such as minocycline, certain cancer chemotherapies, and birth control pills) Hormone system diseases such as Addison disease.

Which hormone increases melanin?

Acting through melanocortin 1 receptor, α-MSH stimulates the production and release of melanin (a process referred to as melanogenesis) by melanocytes in skin and hair. Acting in the hypothalamus, α-MSH suppresses appetite. α-MSH secreted in the hypothalamus also contributes to sexual arousal.

Academic Alliance in Dermatology explains how hormones cause major skin issues especially in women

What hormone imbalance causes hyperpigmentation?

Skin problems

Changes in hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, can also cause hyperpigmentation — dark patches on the skin. It's most likely to occur on the neck, groin and under the breasts.

What triggers your body to make more melanin?

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 deficiency causes skin darkening?

The hyperpigmentation related to vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in darker-skinned patients. Few other cases of skin hyperpigmentation due to vitamin B12 deficiency have been reported in the literature. The mechanism of hyperpigmentation is due to increased melanin synthesis rather than a defect in melanin.

Why is my skin suddenly going darker?

Your skin can develop darker patches as the result of excess melanin production, typically caused by skin inflammation, hormone fluctuations, and poor lifestyle choices. Age spots – also known as sun spots and liver spots – can also be signs of skin conditions, such as Melasma.

What drug makes your skin darker?

The incidence of this change varies, and depends on the type of medication involved. Some of the most common drugs involved are NSAIDs, antimalarials, psychotropic drugs, Amiodarone, cytotoxic drugs, tetracyclines, and heavy metals such as silver and gold (which must be ingested, not just worn).

What autoimmune disease causes skin discoloration?

Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. This happens when melanocytes – skin cells that make pigment – are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milky-white color.

What hormones lighten skin?

The estrogen darkens skin. Progesterone lightens it. The process works just as well on cells from men's skin as women's skin.

How do I reset my hormones?

Regularly getting a full, undisturbed night's rest may help the body regulate hormone levels.
  1. Avoiding too much light at night. ...
  2. Managing stress. ...
  3. Exercising. ...
  4. Eating healthy fats. ...
  5. Eating lots of fiber. ...
  6. Eating plenty of fatty fish. ...
  7. Avoiding overeating. ...
  8. Quitting smoking.

What hormone makes you look older?

Thyroid hormone contributes directly to your appearance as you age. Thinning hair, dry skin, brittle nails, feeling tired and looking puffy are all results of low thyroid levels.

Why is my skin getting darker without sun?

If you've been wondering, "Why is my skin becoming darker?" without obvious sun exposure, it's essential to understand that several factors could be at play. Your skin can react to many triggers, both internal and external. These include hormonal changes, medications, ageing, and stress.

What are signs of low progesterone?

What are the signs of low progesterone?
  • Irregular menstrual periods.
  • Headaches.
  • Difficulty conceiving.
  • Mood changes, anxiety or depression.
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • Hot flashes.
  • Bloating or weight gain.

What illness causes skin darkening?

Addison's disease: It causes patches of dark skin around skin folds or joints. Diabetes rash: If you have diabetes, you may develop discolored skin patches or spots. Medications: Some medications can cause your skin to lighten or darken. Cancer: Certain cancers or paraneoplastic syndromes can cause pigmentary changes.

How to treat hyperpigmentation due to hormonal imbalance?

How do I get rid of Hormonal Pigmentation? To reduce hormonal pigmentation, one could resort to chemical peels, laser therapy, microdermabrasion and other cosmetic procedures. Sunscreen and sun protective lotions must be used regularly since the condition often worsens with excessive exposure to sunlight.

Is skin darkening reversible?

The reversibility of skin discoloration depends on the cause. Dermatologists can recommend treatments such as topical creams, laser therapy, or chemical peels based on the specific condition.

Why is my skin randomly darkening?

Causes of hyperpigmentation include: Skin inflammation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) Use of certain drugs (such as minocycline, certain cancer chemotherapies, and birth control pills) Hormone system diseases such as Addison disease.

Can vitamin D make skin darker?

What does seem to be the general consensus though in answer to the question, does taking vitamin D help you tan, is that whilst it's probably unlikely that vitamin D supplements darken the skin, being exposed to sunlight helps us to manufacture vitamin D, and in this process, we may also get a tan.

Does vitamin B12 cause skin darkening?

Abstract. Vitamin B12 deficiency, which is usually seen in vegetarians, is characterised by cutaneous, gastrointestinal, neurological and haematological manifestations. Cutaneous manifestations include hyperpigmentation, glossitis and hair changes.

Which hormone is responsible for skin pigmentation?

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone describes a group of hormones produced by the pituitary gland, hypothalamus and skin cells. It is important for protecting the skin from UV rays, development of pigmentation and control of appetite.

How do I get my melanin back?

Currently, no safe or proven method exists to increase melanin – the pigment, or color, in a person's skin, hair, and eyes. A person's genetics determine their natural melanin levels and skin color. In general, people who have darker skin tones have more melanin than those with lighter skin tones.

What organ produces melanin?

Melanin is produced in melanocytes. These cells are located in different areas of your body, including: Your hair. The innermost layer of your skin.

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