Diseases of Depigmentation

**3**

**Chapter 1**

*Tae-Heung Kim*

**1. Introduction**

cosmeceutical [3, 4].

Introductory Chapter:

Depigmentation, lightening of the skin and mucosa, can be caused by local or systemic conditions, and there may be partial or complete loss of pigment [1]. Although depigmented patches may not matter in Caucasians, it is very serious for pigmented skin [2]. Depigmentation can also be a therapeutic goal for cosmetic treatment. Many vitiligo patients, who received depigmentation treatment, experience paradoxical jealousy because of their clean white skin. To improve facial blemishes, many people spend their money for laser, chemical peel, and

Depigmentation can occur hereditarily or acquiredly. Hereditary diseases if depigmentation includes following diseases (**Figure 1**) [3]. Oculocutaneous albinism consists of a group of genetic disorders characterized by diffuse pigmentary dilution due to a partial or total absence of melanin pigment within melanocytes of the skin and eyes. Piebaldism is an genetic disorder characterized by poliosis and congenital, stable, circumscribed areas of leukoderma due to an absence of melanocytes within involved sites. Waardenburg syndrome is a rare genetic disease characterized by various combinations of depigmentation of skin and irides, and congenital deafness. Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome is a rare genetic disease of depigmentation showing pigmentary dilution of the skin, hair, and eyes, and serious systemic manifestations including hematopoietic, immune, pulmonary, renal, and cardiac symptoms. Chédiak–Higashi syndrome is a rare genetic disorder showing features of oculocutaneous albinism, ocular symptoms, hematologic and neurologic manifestations. Tuberous sclerosis complex is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by neuroligic disorders and skin findings including depigmented macules. Depigmentation along the lines of Blaschko reflects mosaicism characterized by a clone of skin cells with a decreased ability to make pigment. Hypomelanosis of Ito, linear nevoid hypopigmentation and nevus depigmentosus

are considered to represent manifestations of cutaneous mosaicism.

persistent macular hypomelanosis...) (**Figure 2**) [3].

Acquired diseases of depigmentation includes vitiligo, hypomelanosis secondary to cutaneous inflammation (postinflammatory hypopigmentation, pityriasis alba, sarcoidosis, hypopigmented mycosis fungoides, lupus erythematosus and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus), infectious hypomelanosis (tinea versicolor, leprosy, kala azar...), chemical or pharmacologic hypomelanosis (chemical leukoderma, hypomelanosis by strong steroid), hypomelanosis from physical agetnts (burn, laser, abrasion...), and miscellaneous (idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis,

Diseases of depigmentation can occur hereditarily or acquiredly. Hereditary diseases of depigmentation were reviewed excellently by Prof. Carrasquillo and colleagues. Albinism, piebaldism, white patches of tuberous sclerosis, Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, Chédiak-Higashi syndorme, Waardenburg syndrome, and

Depigmentation

### **Chapter 1**
