What medical term describes when skin darkens due to an excess of melanin?
Answer
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is the specific medical designation for the darkening of the skin. This occurs when the skin produces an excess amount of melanin, which is the fundamental pigment responsible for determining the coloration of the skin, hair, and eyes. Conditions like melasma, which often manifest as brownish or grayish patches, are examples of hyperpigmentation frequently associated with hormonal shifts or increased exposure to sunlight. Conversely, conditions characterized by a lack of pigment are termed hypopigmentation, and complete loss of pigment is called depigmentation.
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