Vitiligo is a common disorder characterized by white patches or depigmentation. Although it affects 1 percent to 2 percent of the population, vitiligo is most evident in darker racial-ethnic groups due to the contrast between depigmented and normal skin. Any part of the body may be affected by vitiligo. Hyperpigmentation, or excess coloration of the skin, often occurs after a skin injury such as a cut or trauma. In the case of pregnancy-related hyperpigmentation, the dark skin usually returns to its normal shade after pregnancy.
Dermatologists have many different therapies available to help patients with pigmentation problems.
Melasma and hyperpigmentation treatments are determined by the severity of the patient's condition. For patients with mild to moderate disease symptoms, a single topical bleaching medication, such as tretinoin or alpha hydroxy acids, can provide relief. Patients with more severe symptoms may find that a combination of treatments, such as a topical bleaching agent in conjunction with superficial chemical peels, works best. Isolated stable lesions can be treated by a variety of surgical grafting procedures. If repigmentation efforts fail in patients with extensive depigmentation affecting more than 50 percent of the skin surface, therapy using monobenzone, a permanent depigmenting agent that causes permanent skin bleaching, may be a viable alternative.