What condition results from an excess production of melanin?

Hyperpigmentation occurs when there is an excess production of melanin, the pigment responsible for the color of skin, hair, and eyes. This condition can lead to darker patches on the skin or more intense coloration in certain areas, often as a response to various factors. These factors can include sun exposure, inflammation, hormonal changes, and certain medications. Conditions such as melasma, age spots, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are all examples that fall under this umbrella, highlighting how increased melanin can manifest visibly on the skin.

Albinism is characterized by a lack of melanin production, leading to little or no pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes. Vitiligo is a condition where there is a loss of melanin in patches of skin. Xerosis refers to dry skin and is not related to melanin production at all. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why hyperpigmentation specifically relates to an excess of melanin.