ABSTRACT
PIGMENTATION PROBLEMS Problems with skin pigmentation rank among the most common problems seen by dermatologists. Examples range from melasma and vitiligo to photodamage, postinammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), genetic conditions, and various types of nevi. Melanocytes, which actively produce melanin, are the cells responsible for all skin pigmentation problems. e high frequency of pigmentation problems stems largely from the fact that melanocytes are sensitive to a variety of inuences from within and outside of the body (Box 7.1).
