pigmentäre

Pigmentäre, in English pigmentary, is an adjective relating to pigment or pigmentation. In German and medical usage, it is commonly employed to describe processes, conditions, or tissues that involve color-producing substances, especially in dermatology and ophthalmology. The term can refer to biological pigments, such as melanin, or to disorders affecting pigmentation.

Biological pigments include melanin, which determines skin, hair, and eye color, and other pigments such as carotenoids or hemoproteins that contribute to coloration in various tissues. Melanin is produced by melanocytes through melanogenesis, a process regulated by enzymes such as tyrosinase and influenced by genetic factors, hormonal signals, and ultraviolet exposure. In the eye, pigments in the retinal pigment epithelium and other ocular structures help protect tissues from light damage and contribute to sight.

Pigmentary disorders are broadly categorized as hypopigmentation, where pigment is reduced or absent, and hyperpigmentation, where excess pigment is produced or deposited. Hypopigmentation examples include albinism and vitiligo, while hyperpigmentation examples include melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, lentigines, and freckles. Causes can be genetic, autoimmune, inflammatory, hormonal, or related to sun exposure and aging. Diagnosis relies on clinical examination, sometimes supplemented by Wood’s lamp assessment, dermoscopy, or genetic testing.

Management focuses on protecting skin from UV radiation and addressing the specific condition. Treatments for hyperpigmentation may involve topical agents (for example, depigmenting or brightening compounds), retinoids, or procedures such as chemical peels or lasers. For hypopigmentation, approaches emphasize protection and cosmetic concealment. See also pigmentation, melanin, hypopigmentation, and hyperpigmentation.