Paula’sChoice.com
I have noticed that a lot of you have been searching for information on skin discoloration.  I found this article on Paula’s Choice.  She is very well-informed, and usually unbiased.  In this article she talks about skin discoloration by way of lighter spots (for some) and darker spots (for others).  It is a very detailed article which explains how melanin affects the skin, and she goes into greater depth by explaining different types of treatments that are available like Hydroquinone, topical treatments, and sunscreen.  According to Paula:

"Regardless of your ethnic background or skin color, eventually most of us will struggle with some kind of brown or ashen pigmentation problem. Skin will either appear lighter or darker than normal in concentrated areas, or you may notice blotchy, uneven patches of brown to gray discoloration or freckling. Skin pigmentation disorders occur because the body produces either too much or too little melanin. Melanin is the pigment produced by specific cells (melanocytes). It is triggered by an enzyme called tyrosinase, which creates the color of our skin, eyes, and hair. (Melanin actually has two major forms that combine to create varying skin tones.  Eumelanin produces a range of brown skin and hair color, while pheomelanin imparts a yellow to reddish hue.)

As far as skin is concerned, depending on how much is present, melanin does provide some amount of sun protection by absorbing the sun’s ultraviolet light.  This explains why darker skin colors are less susceptible to sunburn and the overall effects of sun damage. But less susceptible doesn’t mean immune from problems."  Read More

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