Intimate areas hyperpigmentation
What is intimate area hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation of the skin is when a portion of the skin is darker than the other surrounding areas. This occurs due to melanin. Melanin is the pigment that is produced by cells called melanocytes. Melanin gives the skin its color. When the skin produces more melanin, it leads to hyperpigmentation.
Why do intimate areas get hyperpigmented?
Intimate areas are prone to hyperpigmentation. Almost everyone has that problem, but it is nothing to be ashamed of. The reason why it is most likely to happen is based on so many factors, some of them being:
Friction
Friction is especially bad if you are wearing tight bottoms or the fabric is tough. Constant friction sloughs off cells and as an adaptation, your body produces more and more tougher cells, especially melanocytes, to replace them. This causes the area to darken.
Harsh chemicals
Harsh chemicals in hair removal creams can also exacerbate hyperpigmentation. One must refrain from using these on intimate areas.
Lack of ventilation
Your intimate areas are covered not only by clothes but are unexposed due to natural anatomy. Our thighs are always keeping them cooped when we’re walking or sitting or running. Lack of aeration can lead to hyperpigmentation.
Natural hyperpigmentation
Not to blame external factors, but our private areas are also dark as a result of the high concentration of pigment cells, melanocytes, in that region. In fact, melanocytes are the most abundant in this area.
Sweat and bacteria
Lack of aeration and the natural anatomy contributes to increased sweating and the build-up of bacteria. These bacteria undergo anaerobic reactions and the substances produced exacerbates darkening of that region.
Race
People from any race can have hyperpigmentation, however, it has been observed that in dark-skinned people.
Age and hormones
- Testosterone boost during and after puberty can darken the penis and nipples.
- Estrogen surge during puberty, periodic menstrual cycles and pregnancy can darken the labia and areolae.
- Older people tend to have more hyperpigmented genitals as compared to younger ones.
- Women, when going through pregnancy, will experience a great increase in pigmentation due to hormone surge
- Undergo hyperpigmentation as a result of birth control pills.
Is it more common in men or women?
Hyperpigmentation is seen equally in both men and women. However, women are more often to seek consultation and a result of social ideas of connecting beauty and flawlessness with the female gender.