Depigmentation

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Overview

The definition of depigmentation is the lightening of the skin, or loss of pigment. Depigmentation of the skin can be caused by a number of local and systemic conditions. The pigment loss can be partial (injury to the skin) or complete (caused by vitiligo). It can be temporary (from tinea versicolor) or permanent (from albinism).

Most commonly, depigmentation of the skin is linked to people who suffer with vitiligo. These individuals, if they so decided to complete the lightening process, would apply a topical cream containing the organic compound monobenzone to remove the remaining pigment. The brand drug incorporating 20% monobenzone is Benoquin, made by ICN.

Increasingly, people who are not afflicted with the disease vitiligo have been experimenting with lower concentrations of self compounded mono creams in the hope of lightening their skin tone evenly.

An alternate method of lightening is to use the chemical mequinol over an extended period of time. Both monobenzone and mequinol produce dramatic whitening of the skin, but react very differently.

For stubborn pigmented lesions the Q-switched ruby laser, cryotherapy or TCA peels can be used to ensure the skin remains pigment free.

Mequinol leaves the skin looking extremely pale however, tanning is still possible. Monobenzone applied topically completely removes pigment in the long term and vigorous sun-safety needs to be adhered to for life.

People using monobenzone without previously having vitiligo do so because standard products containing hydroquinone or other lightening agents are not effective for their skin and due to price and active ingredient strength. However, monobenzone is not recommended for skin conditions other than vitiligo.

Further information: Skin whitening