underpigmentation
Lacking normal coloration
Underpigmentation is a deficiency of pigment in skin, hair, or other tissue, resulting in lighter coloration than normal.
The condition may be localized in patches or affect the entire body, as in albinism.
Medical contexts use the term to describe various conditions where melanin production is reduced: The underpigmentation on her arms resulted from vitiligo.
Inherited melanin deficiency
- vitiligoMelanocyte-loss skin condition
- hypomelanosisDecreased pigment in skin
Natural coloring compound
- melanocyteCell that produces melanin
- eumelaninBrown-black biological pigment
- chromophoreMolecule's tint-causing portion
- tyrosineProtein-building amino acid
Passed through generations
- congenitalExisting from birth
- recessiveMasked unless paired identically
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- alleleGene variant at one locus
genes · inheritance · genotype · phenotype · chromosomal · polygenic · inherited · carrier
Lacking color intensity
- fairImpartial and unbiased
- light-skinnedPale in complexion
- milkyWhitish and cloudy
- ivoryTusk-derived material
porcelain · pallid · wan · ashen · blanched · colorless · faded · washed-out
Aromatic compound, two OH groups
- phototherapyHealing through light exposure
- micropigmentationPermanent cosmetic ink implantation
- tattooingInjecting pigment under skin
- sunscreenUV-blocking skin cream
albinism
Inherited melanin deficiency
- vitiligoMelanocyte-loss skin condition
- hypomelanosisDecreased pigment in skin
melanin
Natural coloring compound
- melanocyteCell that produces melanin
- eumelaninBrown-black biological pigment
- chromophoreMolecule's tint-causing portion
hereditary
Passed through generations
- congenitalExisting from birth
- recessiveMasked unless paired identically
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
allele · genes · inheritance · genotype · phenotype · chromosomal · polygenic · inherited · carrier · familial
pale
Lacking color intensity
- fairImpartial and unbiased
- light-skinnedPale in complexion
- milkyWhitish and cloudy
ivory · porcelain · pallid · wan · ashen · blanched · colorless · faded · washed-out · ghostly
hydroquinone
Aromatic compound, two OH groups
- phototherapyHealing through light exposure
- micropigmentationPermanent cosmetic ink implantation
- tattooingInjecting pigment under skin
underpigmentationhyperpigmentation
Localized skin darkening condition
overpigmentation · hyperpigmented · dark skin · melanosis · melasma
under, pigmentation, pigment, pigments, pigmented, overpigmentation, hyperpigmentation, depigmentation, repigmentation