What condition is characterized by a lack of pigment in the skin, resulting in white patches?

Vitiligo is the condition characterized by a lack of pigment in the skin, leading to the formation of white patches. This occurs when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color), are destroyed or become nonfunctional. The result is a noticeable contrast between the affected areas and the surrounding skin, which can vary in size and location.

Understanding vitiligo is essential, especially in esthetics, as it impacts the client's skin tone and can influence their treatment options and product selections. While psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis involve inflammation and may cause discoloration, they do not specifically result in the loss of pigment as vitiligo does. Each of these conditions has different characteristics and symptoms, but they primarily relate to inflammation rather than the pigmentation loss that defines vitiligo.