In principle, pigments can be divided (in the medical-cosmetic field) into:
- biogenic pigments and
- non-biogenic technical pigments
can be subdivided.
Biogenic pigments are coloring compounds that determine the physiological skin color of humans or change it artificially.
Non-biogenic, technical pigments are finely dispersed (insoluble in a medium) organic (e.g. acid dyes as insoluble metal salts) or also inorganic dyes (e.g. titanium dioxide).
Biogenic pigments can be divided into endogenous biogenic pigments and exogenous biogenic pigments.
- Endogenous biogenic pigments are melanin, hemoglobin, myoglobin, lipofuscin, biliverdin, bilirubin, and hemosiderin (see also under hyperpigmentation).
- Exogenous biogenic pigments enter the body from outside. Exogenous biogenic pigments include coal dust, metal dust, ink (e.g., introduced into the skin by tattooing ), and e.g., the orally ingested carotenoids or certain drugs (e.g., amiodarone -see also amiodarone hyperpigmentation).
Non-biogenic technical pigments are finely dispersed organic (e.g. acid dyes as insoluble metal salts) or inorganic dyes (e.g. titanium dioxide, iron oxides, zinc oxides) that are insoluble in a medium and are applied to the skin to produce a color effect. They are used for cosmetic applications (make-up, other decorative cosmetics such as lipsticks, make-ups).
In the narrower medical language, the term pigmentation is used for a (melanotic) coloration (brown-black-brown) of skin or mucous membrane caused by melanin.
- physiological (melanotic) pigmentation = skin tanning
- pathological (melanotic) pigmentation(hyperpigmentation)
The opposite of hyperpigmentation is (pathological) depigmentation.