Skin pigmentation, or skin coloration, is primarily determined by the amount of melanin in the skin. Melanin, a pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes, is responsible for the different shades and colors of human skin, hair, and eyes. Imbalances in melanin production can lead to various skin pigmentation disorders, such as hyperpigmentation (darker patches) or hypopigmentation (lighter patches).
Changes in skin pigmentation can occur due to various factors, including sun exposure, hormonal fluctuations, inflammation, genetics, and certain medical conditions.