What is it called when you have patches of skin that begin to to get lighter in color??

Question

Around where I shave I am getting patches of lighter colored skin. Is it just from shaving or do I have a pigmantation disorder

Answer 1

you could have hives but I would seek a health professional for that it could also be the shaving cream you are using your skin may be having an allergic reaction to it

Answer 2

It might just be because when you shave your removing the dead skin cells, that happens to me when I wax, it looks like my skin's alot lighter. It proabably isnt a pigmentation disorder because I think if thats the case you get darker patches not lighter, though I may be wrong.

Answer 3

it is called Vitiligo ... check out the link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitiligo

Answer 4

Vertigo or hypopigmentation are clinical names for more permanent discoloration of the skin. There are also rarer fungi (e.g. Malassezia furfur) that can do this, especially if you have been in hot humid climates or running around central american rainforests. While rare, it is still treatable with OTC topical antifungal cream (e.g. Lotramin AF)