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Pigmentation Disorders in the Elderly

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Abstract

Aging skin is subject to morphological change due to both intrinsic (skin tone, genetics, endogenous hormones) and extrinsic (chronic sun exposure, medications, exogenous pigments) factors. The broad spectrum of transformation includes both hypo- and hyperpigmentation. Although cutaneous pigmentary disorders are common in younger individuals, certain disorders are more prevalent in the geriatric population. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical appearance, treatment, and prognosis of pigmentary lesions that are predominant in the elderly.

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  1. Andrew M. Armenta and Emily D. Henkel contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Texas Medical Branch, School of Medicine, Galveston, TX, USA

    Andrew M. Armenta

  2. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Emily D. Henkel

  3. Division of Dermatology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, 1400 N. I-35, Suite C2.470, Austin, TX, 78701, USA

    Ammar M. Ahmed

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Drafting and editing of manuscript: AMA, EDH, AMA. Concept, guidance and review of manuscript: AMA.

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Correspondence to Ammar M. Ahmed.

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A. M. Armenta, E. D. Henkel, and A. M. Ahmed have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this article.

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Armenta, A.M., Henkel, E.D. & Ahmed, A.M. Pigmentation Disorders in the Elderly. Drugs Aging 36, 235–245 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-018-00633-w

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