Pigmentation means coloring. Skin pigmentation disorders affect the color of the skin. Skin gets its colour from a pigment called melanin. Special cells in the skin make melanin. When these cells become damaged or unhealthy, it affects melanin production. Some pigmentation disorders affect just patches of skin. Others affect the entire body (MedlinePlus). This book is a comprehensive guide to pigmentary disorders. Beginning with an introduction to the field, the following chapters discuss the diagnosis and management of numerous different skin pigmentation disorders including vitiligo, melasma and ochronosis.