Pigment disorders and pigment manipulations

Abstract

Diseases of the pigment system are common worldwide. They may cause a decrease in quality of life, especially in people of color. Moreover, in some people of color, a normal skin itself can cause problems because these individuals do not accept their natural dark color and strive for a lighter complexion to hopefully increase their quality of life. Skin bleaching is an effort among some people of color to acquire a lighter skin and is common in practically all parts of the world where people of color live. It is generally accepted that skin bleaching is essentially based on racism. Furthermore, there are indications that diseases of the pigment system are racialized. It is important to note that this idea of pigmentary diseases being racialized is a hypothesis, one that is worthwhile to investigate further because it might increase our understanding of the psychosocial structure and context of people with these diseases, thereby helping to improve our (professional) approach toward them.