Tag: Melanocytes

According to data from DermNet NZ, certain drug-induced pigmentary changes are responsible for a significant percentage of acquired pigmentation cases, though hypopigmentation is less common than darkening. For some individuals, a seemingly unrelated medication can result in patches of paler skin, leading to the question: **What drugs cause skin lightening?**

According to a 2023 cross-sectional study involving over 400 patients, approximately 26% of topical minoxidil users reported hair greying, demonstrating a complex relationship between the drug and hair pigmentation. This statistic highlights why the question, **can minoxidil reverse greying**, is frequently asked, though the medication's primary function is hair growth stimulation rather than color restoration.

In a real-world study, topical basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-related decapeptide therapy promoted significant re-pigmentation in 98% of vitiligo patients. This demonstrates the specific and potent pharmacological capabilities of decapeptide, a molecule defined by its chain of ten amino acid residues.