Depigmentation
Encyclopedia
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 born with vitiligo
,which produces differing areas of light and dark skin. These individuals, if they so decided to use a lightening process to even out their skin tone, could apply a topical cream containing the organic compound monobenzone
to lessen the remaining pigment. The brand drug incorporating 20% monobenzone is Benoquin, made by ICN
.
Increasingly, people who are not afflicted with the vitiligo experiment with lower concentrations of monobenzone 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 skin whitening
, but react very differently. 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 must to be adhered to for life to avoid severe sun burn and melanoma
s. 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. AP reports that both hydroquinone and Benoquin were found in the home of popstar Michael Jackson.
For stubborn pigmented lesions the Q-switched ruby laser, cryotherapy
or TCA
peels can be used to ensure the skin remains pigment-free.
Tinea versicolor
Tinea versicolor is a condition characterized by a rash on the trunk and proximal extremities. Recent research has shown that the majority of Tinea versicolor is caused by the Malassezia globosa fungus, although Malassezia furfur is responsible for a small number of cases...
) or permanent (from albinism
Albinism
Albinism is a congenital disorder characterized by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes due to absence or defect of an enzyme involved in the production of melanin...
).
Most commonly, depigmentation of the skin is linked to people born with vitiligo
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a condition that causes depigmentation of sections of skin. It occurs when melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation, die or are unable to function. The cause of vitiligo is unknown, but research suggests that it may arise from autoimmune, genetic, oxidative stress,...
,which produces differing areas of light and dark skin. These individuals, if they so decided to use a lightening process to even out their skin tone, could apply a topical cream containing the organic compound monobenzone
Monobenzone
Monobenzone is a compound used as a topical drug for medical depigmentation.-Chemistry:Monobenzone is the monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone. Monobenzone occurs as a white, almost tasteless crystalline powder, soluble in alcohol and practically insoluble in water.-Pharmacology:The topical application...
to lessen the remaining pigment. The brand drug incorporating 20% monobenzone is Benoquin, made by ICN
ICN
ICN is a three letter abbreviation that may refer to:* IATA Code for Incheon International Airport near Seoul, South Korea*Educational institutes:** ICN Business School, French graduate business school in Nancy....
.
Increasingly, people who are not afflicted with the vitiligo experiment with lower concentrations of monobenzone creams in the hope of lightening their skin tone evenly. An alternate method of lightening is to use the chemical mequinol
Mequinol
Mequinol is a drug used in combination with the drug tretinoin in the treatment of liver spots. Mequinol used alone and in higher doses is used as a topical drug for medical depigmentation.-Chemistry:...
over an extended period of time. Both monobenzone and mequinol produce dramatic skin whitening
Skin whitening
Skin whitening, skin lightening and skin bleaching refers to the practice of using chemical substances in an attempt to lighten skin tone or provide an even skin complexion by lessening the concentration of melanin...
, but react very differently. 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 must to be adhered to for life to avoid severe sun burn and melanoma
Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
s. People using monobenzone
Monobenzone
Monobenzone is a compound used as a topical drug for medical depigmentation.-Chemistry:Monobenzone is the monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone. Monobenzone occurs as a white, almost tasteless crystalline powder, soluble in alcohol and practically insoluble in water.-Pharmacology:The topical application...
without previously having vitiligo
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a condition that causes depigmentation of sections of skin. It occurs when melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation, die or are unable to function. The cause of vitiligo is unknown, but research suggests that it may arise from autoimmune, genetic, oxidative stress,...
do so because standard products containing hydroquinone
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone, also benzene-1,4-diol or quinol, is an aromatic organic compound that is a type of phenol, having the chemical formula C6H42. Its chemical structure, shown in the table at right, has two hydroxyl groups bonded to a benzene ring in a para position. It is a white granular solid...
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. AP reports that both hydroquinone and Benoquin were found in the home of popstar Michael Jackson.
For stubborn pigmented lesions the Q-switched ruby laser, cryotherapy
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is the local or general use of low temperatures in medical therapy or the removal of heat from a body part. The term "cryotherapy" comes from the Greek cryo meaning cold and the word therapy meaning cure...
or TCA
TCA
TCA may refer to:In economics:* True cost accounting, a method of accounting which seeks to calculate the social, environmental, and economic costs and benefits of a product over its lifespan instead of focusing solely on the cost of its initial purchase.In chemistry:* Trichloroethane , one of two...
peels can be used to ensure the skin remains pigment-free.