The white spots on this person's face have resulted from drug-induced vitiligo. Loss of melanin, the primary skin pigment, occasionally occurs as a result of medications, as is the case with this individual. The typical vitiligo lesion is flat (macular) and depigmented, but maintains the normal skin texture.

This is a picture of vitiligo on the face. Complete loss of melanin, the primary skin pigment, occurs for unknown reasons. The resulting lesions are white in comparison to the surrounding skin. Vitiligo may occur in the same areas on both sides of the face (symmetrically) or it may be patchy (asymmetrical). The typical vitiligo lesion is flat (macular) and depigmented, but maintains the normal skin texture. The dark areas around the eyes are this person's normal skin color.

Incontinentia pigmenti produces darkly-pigmented swirling marks on the skin. It occurs more frequently in females. The skin lesions are divided into three stages: blisters (vesicles and bullae) are present at birth or within the first 6 to 7 weeks, followed by a rough wart-like (verrucous) stage, and lastly, swirled and bizarre patterns of dark pigmentation (hyperpigmentation) appear.

Incontinentia pigmenti produces darkly-pigmented swirling marks on the skin. It occurs more frequently in females. The skin lesions are divided into three stages: blisters (vesicles and bullae) are present at birth or within the first 6 to 7 weeks, followed by a rough wart-like (verrucous) stage, and lastly, swirled and bizarre patterns of dark pigmentation (hyperpigmentation) appear.

Hyperpigmentation refers to skin that has turned darker than normal where the change that has occurred is unrelated to sun exposure. Cells called melanocytes located in the skin, produce melanin. Melanin gives the skin its color. In certain condidtions melanocytes can become abnormal and cause an excessive amount of darkening in the color of the skin.

Hyperpigmented concentric rings over the tibia are secondary to prior inflammation. Residual hemosiderin from broken down red blood cells in macrophages, left behind after inlammation pigments the skin.

Generalized hyperpigmentation, in addition to localized areas of even deeper pigmentation is sometimes found in patients with malignancy. Etiology of these pigmentary changes is varied.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is seen here in a mottled pattern, over the posterior shoulder. Hemosiderin, left behind by degraded RBC's, creates the discoloration.