Why Is The Skin Around The Genitals Darker & Can You Use Lightening Creams To Colour Correct? A Doctor Weighs In

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1. Reasons for genital skin to be darker & factors leading to genital skin pigmentation

The basic unit giving colour to our skin is called melanosome (the pigment itself is called melanin). The density of melanocytes differs in various body parts. The density is more in sexual organs (including genitals, nipples, areola in the breast), armpits, face, buttocks, and peri-anal area.

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2. Acanthosis Nigricans can be seen  in people as young as 6-7 years of age

Acanthosis Nigricans is a condition where there is a thickening of the skin and consequent darkness, very commonly seen nowadays around the neck (usually wrongly attributed to the friction of necklace), armpits, inner aspect of thighs, and less commonly on elbow fold, knuckles, temple region of the face, and around the spine.

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3. One must not try to use bleaching agents or non-standardised creams or lotions to lighten the skin

First of all, lightening of the skin around the genitals is not required. It is not an abnormal thing to have variations in pigmentation through various body sites. As a matter of fact, the difference of pigmentation in different sites and through different ages is a perfectly normal thing.

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4. Irritation, itching or unusual pigmentation of genital skin are treatable

If the area around the genitals is dark and itchy, it should definitely be addressed. The following are some conditions that can cause irritation, itching, or unusual pigmentation of genital skin and all these are treatable.

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5. Buttocks have the largest number of melanosomes and are darker than other body parts

Buttocks have the largest number of melanosomes in the body and hence they are darker than other body parts. This need not be treated if the darkening is gradual, uniform, and brown. If the darkening, on the other hand, is sudden, blotchy, patchy, with spiny hair follicle exit points, then this can be treated by showing it to a dermatologist.

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6. When to visit a dermatologist

One should visit a dermatologist if they find any of the following signs in their body: – Sudden pigmentation – Blotchy, patchy pigmentation – Itching, irritation, pain or redness associated with pigmentation – Boils or folliculitis associated – The thickness of the skin with criss-cross pigment pointing to acanthosis nigricans (common in the inner aspect of the thigh)

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7. Factors of personal hygiene and health can go a long way in having healthy genital and buttock skin

I wouldn’t suggest people trying to lighten the dark skin of genitals or buttocks. On the contrary, certain factors of personal hygiene and health can go a long way in having healthy genital and buttock skin.

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