SafekipediaDepigmentation is the lightening of the skin or loss of its natural color. This can happen because of different health conditions or treatments. Sometimes, people are born with a condition called vitiligo, which causes patches of lighter skin. Other times, people use special creams to change their skin color.
Two common creams used for this are monobenzone and mequinol. Monobenzone can permanently remove skin pigment, but it requires careful sun protection to prevent burns and serious skin problems. Mequinol makes the skin very pale, and while tanning is still possible, the skin does not return to its original color. People should be careful when using mequinol if they have certain health conditions.
For tough dark spots on the skin, doctors may use special treatments like the Q-switched ruby laser, cryotherapy, or TCA peels to help remove the extra pigment. It is important to talk to a doctor before trying any of these treatments.
This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Depigmentation, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.