Numerous variables, such as sun exposure, hormone changes, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, ageing, skin conditions, and lifestyle choices, can cause skin darkening. Understanding the underlying reasons will help us avoid or cure darker skin tones.
The change in skin tone and complexions happens when there is excess melanin production in the skin cells. There could be possible reasons why your skin cells are overproducing melanin. Medical conditions such as Addison's disease may also cause your skin to become darker in some areas.
Darker areas of skin (or an area that tans more easily) occurs when you have more melanin or overactive melanocytes. Bronzing of the skin may sometimes be mistaken for a suntan. This skin discoloration often develops slowly, starting at the elbows, knuckles, and knees and spreading from there.
Addison disease happens when the body doesn't produce enough cortisol, a hormone that regulates stress. One symptom of the disease is darkening of the skin in places like scars, skin folds, elbows, knees, and knuckles.
Lifestyle Habits and Skin Health: Bad habits like smoking, consuming a poor diet, and not bothering with a skincare routine might trigger skin darkening by contributing to factors like inflammation and oxidative skin stress.
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.
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.
As the adrenals fail and cortisol production becomes inadequate, there is increased production of ACTH and concomitantly MSH. The increased level of MSH stimulates melanocytes to produce more pigment, especially in sun-exposed areas, resulting in dark tans, hyperpigmented scars, and gingiva.
Melanin is the brown pigment that causes tanning. Melanin is the body's way of protecting skin from burning. Darker-skinned people tan more deeply than lighter-skinned people because their melanocytes produce more melanin.
What is melasma and what does it look like? Melasma is a common skin disorder. Loosely translated, the word means “black spot.” If you have melasma you're probably experiencing light brown, dark brown and/or blue-gray patches on your skin. They can appear as flat patches or freckle-like spots.
Beachgoers may notice a delayed tanning effect because the body prioritizes repairing DNA damage in skin cells after sun exposure. The mechanism responsible for tanning is temporarily inhibited until DNA repair reaches its peak, and then melanin production begins.
Tawny skin is characterized by warm undertones, a natural glow, and a spectrum that ranges from light to deep hues. It represents a rich tapestry of diversity in the realm of human skin tones.
Your skin can develop darker patches as the result of excess melanin production, typically caused by skin inflammation, hormone fluctuations, and poor lifestyle choices.
Estrogen and progesterone are two of the major factors responsible for catamenial hyperpigmentation of the skin.
Chronic, long-term stress can manifest on the skin as hyperpigmentation. A hormone called Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, often in response to biological stress. This hormone triggers melanogenesis, the process of skin pigment production.
Hormonal Changes
Skin darkening often stems from hormonal shifts. Pregnancy, birth control, and thyroid problems can disrupt the delicate balance. These changes may spur excess melanin production, the pigment responsible for skin colour. As hormone levels fluctuate, melanin output rises, leading to darker skin tones.
The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause specific skin manifestations, such as hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair and nail changes [1].
Fruit and veg that's high in beta carotene, which can help you tan, but without burning. Beta-carotene is widely recognised as being an excellent antioxidant that fights free radicals and reduces skin damage and oxidative stress on the skin, helping limit the harmful effects of UV light.
Addison's disease is a rare condition with various general symptoms, including weight loss, nausea, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weakness. One key distinctive symptom of the disease is that it can lead to hyperpigmentation or darkening of the patient's skin.
The low level of cortisol triggers the release of another hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). High ACTH leads to high levels of melanin, the chemical that gives skin its color and causes skin discoloration known as hyperpigmentation.
Numerous variables, such as sun exposure, hormone changes, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, ageing, skin conditions, and lifestyle choices, can cause skin darkening. Understanding the underlying reasons will help us avoid or cure darker skin tones.
Symptoms of Addison's disease include: Steadily worsening fatigue (most common symptom). Patches of dark skin (hyperpigmentation), especially around scars and skin creases and on your gums.
Overview. Tinea versicolor is a common fungal infection of the skin. The fungus interferes with the normal pigmentation of the skin, resulting in small, discolored patches. These patches may be lighter or darker in color than the surrounding skin and most commonly affect the trunk and shoulders.