noun

pigmentation

pig-men-TAY-shun

Pigmentation (noun) means the natural colouring of skin, hair, eyes or other living tissue, produced by pigments such as melanin. Example: “Melanin is responsible for the pigmentation of the skin.”

noun

The natural colouring of skin, hair, eyes or other living tissue, produced by pigments such as melanin.

"Melanin is responsible for the pigmentation of the skin."

"The condition causes patches of uneven pigmentation on the face."

informal, cosmetic Darkening or discolouration of the skin in patches, treated as a cosmetic or dermatological problem.

"She uses a vitamin C serum to fade pigmentation left by old spots."

How to Use Pigmentation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe colour of your skin, or dark patches on it.

When to use it

Neutral and scientific in the first sense; in skincare marketing 'pigmentation' alone usually means unwanted dark patches.

Memory tip

Strictly, everyone has pigmentation. If you mean dark marks, hyperpigmentation is the precise term.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

hyperpigmentation hypopigmentation melasma melanin →

Common pairings

skin pigmentation hyperpigmentation loss of pigmentation uneven pigmentation post-inflammatory pigmentation

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Melanin is responsible for the _____ of the skin.

Etymology

From pigment, from Latin pigmentum meaning 'colouring matter', from pingere 'to paint', plus the suffix -ation.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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colouring coloration

Related Words

colour coloring colouring

Rhymes for pigmentation

region billion ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation abortion abrasion diffusion elocution extension

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is skin that has become darker than the surrounding area because of excess melanin, as in sun spots and melasma. Hypopigmentation is skin that has lost pigment and appears lighter, as in vitiligo or some scars.

What causes pigmentation on the face?

The commonest triggers are sun exposure, hormonal change including pregnancy and the contraceptive pill, and inflammation from acne or injury, which leaves post-inflammatory marks. Some medicines and genetic factors also play a part.

Is pigmentation the same as melanin?

No. Melanin is the pigment itself, made by cells called melanocytes. Pigmentation is the resulting colour of the tissue, which depends on how much melanin is produced and how it is distributed.

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