How Your Body's Chemicals Change Your Skin Color

Your skin color is influenced by more than just your genes. Chemicals in your body, known as hormones, play a significant role in determining how dark or light your skin is.

The Intelligence of Your Skin

Your skin is remarkably smart. It produces its own hormones, allowing it to change color based on internal bodily processes. For instance, when you spend time in the sun, your skin produces a hormone that triggers tanning.

Hormonal Imbalances and Skin Issues

However, hormones can also cause problems. If something goes wrong with these chemicals, your skin might not produce the correct type of pigment. This can result in patches of light or dark skin.

Medical Interventions

Doctors have developed ways to address these issues. They can administer synthetic hormones to correct skin color problems. Nevertheless, not all treatments are safe. Some individuals use unregulated products, which can be hazardous.

Other Hormonal Influences

Various other hormones affect your skin. For example, hormones that regulate your thyroid or blood sugar can also alter your skin color. This is why individuals with certain health conditions might observe changes in their skin.

The Role of Melatonin

Melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleep, can also lighten your skin. This is just one more example of how your body's chemicals are interconnected in surprising ways.