Complex correction of skin hyperpigmentation: we treat the cause

What causes excess pigment deposition in the skin?

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When drawing up programs for the correction of aesthetic problems of the skin, it is necessary to first of all focus on the main pathomorphological processes that start and run in the skin, depending on the existing problem. In the article, we will focus separately on hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation is manifested by a more intense coloring of the skin compared to neighboring areas and is caused by an increased content of pigment in the cells. A certain skin color is formed as a result of the presence of different amounts of five types of pigments, the main of which is melanin. Depending on the amount, it gives the skin different shades of brown and is produced by special cells - melanocytes located in the epidermis. The synthesis of melanin from molecules of the amino acid tyrosine occurs under the action of the enzyme tyrosinase.

The enzyme is localized in special cell derivatives (melanosomes), which deliver the synthesized pigment to the upper layers of the epidermis, where it protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation. Thus, the presence of melanin is physiologically justified and necessary. However, the process of its synthesis is under the control of the nervous and humoral systems, which bind together all the elements of the human body. Deviations from the norm in one organ cause corresponding reactions in another.

The causes of hyperpigmentation are varied. It can be associated with endocrine gland dysfunction (adrenal and gonadal), pregnancy, liver and biliary tract disease. An increase in pigment in the skin is also observed in the event of a violation of the vitamin balance in the body (especially vitamin C), long-term intoxication with various chronic infections (tuberculosis, malaria, worm infestations), metabolic disorders (pellagra, porphyria), after taking certain medications (argyria from nitrate silver).

Full version of the access article in Ukrainian

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