ABSTRACT
Pigmentary disorders are a global problem. Dyspigmentation, from hyperpigmentation to hypopigmentation, is often psychologically devastating to patients with darker skin.1 There is marked contrast in skin of color between normally pigmented and hypopigmented or depigmented skin. Also, persons of color tend to have more intense pigmentation than others when hyperpigmentation occurs. Because skin is conspicuous, variations from the norm are noticeable. However, objective measures of the deleterious psychological effects of color alteration are difficult to assess because it is subjective from patient to patient.2 Indeed, disorders of pigmentation are among the most common reasons for patients with skin of color to seek dermatological treatment.3 Despite being common, pigmentary disorders remain difficult to treat.
