Depigmentation (dɛˌpɪɡmɛnˈteɪʃən) is a medical term that refers to the loss of color in skin, hair, or eyes. It is normally caused by a decrease or absence of melanin production in the body. In terms of spelling, the "de-" prefix means "removal" while "pigmentation" refers to the coloring of an object. The addition of "-ation" turns the verb "depigment" into a noun. The correct pronunciation uses four syllables and stresses the third syllable, making it easy to distinguish from similarly spelled words like "depigmenting."
Depigmentation refers to the process of removing or reducing the concentration of pigmentation, which is a color imparted to a substance or tissue by pigments. It can occur in various contexts, including the alteration of color in living organisms, materials, or substances.
In the field of dermatology, depigmentation often refers to the intentional fading or lightening of the natural color of the skin, typically to treat certain skin conditions or disorders. The process usually involves the use of topical creams, gels, or medications that suppress or inhibit the activity of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Depigmentation treatments are commonly used to address hyperpigmentation conditions such as melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or certain forms of vitiligo.
In the context of materials or substances, depigmentation can refer to the removal of or reduction in the color intensity of a product, often done for aesthetic or practical reasons. For example, depigmentation processes can be employed in the production of various cosmetics, textiles, paints, or dyes to achieve a desired color or shade. This can involve methods like bleaching, dilution, or the addition of agents that chemically react with or remove the pigments.
Overall, depigmentation involves altering or reducing the coloration of organisms, materials, or substances, and is commonly used in medical, cosmetic, and manufacturing fields.
Depriving of pigment.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "depigmentation" is composed of the prefix "de-", which means "removal" or "reversal", and the noun "pigmentation", referring to the coloration or coloring of something (e.g., the pigmentation of the skin). The noun "pigmentation" originates from the Latin word "pigmentum", which means "coloring matter" or "color". Therefore, "depigmentation" can be understood as the act or process of removing or reversing coloration, typically referring to the loss or reduction of color in biological tissues.