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Related Concept Videos

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
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Skin Diseases and Disorders

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Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

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Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types01:20

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types

Hair growth begins with the production of keratinocytes by the basal cells of the hair bulb. As new cells are deposited at the hair bulb, the hair shaft is pushed through the follicle toward the surface. Keratinization is completed as the cells are pushed to the skin surface to form the shaft of hair that is externally visible. The external hair is completely dead and composed entirely of keratin. Hair can be cut or shaven without damaging the hair structure because the cut is superficial. Most...
Introduction to the Integumentary System01:25

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

The Three-Dimensional Human Skin Reconstruct Model: a Tool to Study Normal Skin and Melanoma Progression
11:02

The Three-Dimensional Human Skin Reconstruct Model: a Tool to Study Normal Skin and Melanoma Progression

Published on: August 3, 2011

Normal and abnormal skin color.

J P Ortonne1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Archet-2 Hospital, BP 3079, Nice cedex 3, France. jean-paul.ortonne@unice.fr

Annales De Dermatologie Et De Venereologie
|March 26, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Human skin color results from melanin and other chromophores. Pigmentary disorders involve abnormal melanin distribution, leading to hyperpigmentation or leukodermia, affecting skin tone.

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Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Human Pigmentation Biology
  • Medical Science

Background:

  • Human skin color is a complex trait influenced by multiple chromophores, with melanin being the primary determinant.
  • Melanin's distribution within epidermal and dermal cells dictates skin pigmentation.
  • Pigmentary disorders are broadly classified into those affecting normal pigment distribution and those involving abnormal pigment presence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the components and mechanisms underlying normal human skin color variation.
  • To categorize and describe the primary types of pigmentary disorders affecting the skin.
  • To differentiate between hyperpigmentation and leukodermia based on melanin levels and distribution.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on skin chromophores and pigmentation.
  • Analysis of the role of melanin in epidermal and dermal pigmentation.
  • Classification of pigmentary disorders based on clinical manifestations and underlying pathophysiology.

Main Results:

  • Skin color is a blend of red, blue, yellow-orange, and brown pigments, with melanin being predominant.
  • Hyperpigmentation (melanodermia, ceruloderma) results from melanin overload or abnormal distribution.
  • Leukodermia is characterized by a lightening of the skin due to reduced pigmentation.

Conclusions:

  • Melanin concentration and distribution are key factors in determining normal skin color and pathological pigmentary changes.
  • Understanding pigmentary disorders like hypermelanosis and pigmentary incontinence is crucial for diagnosis.
  • Dyschromia can arise from abnormal endogenous or exogenous pigment deposition in the skin.