DISORDERS OF PIGMENTATION:

Colours decorate, but also affect, all members of the animal kingdom. The colour of our skin is an evocative topic, particularly in the South African context. Social and economic forces have attached cultural burdens on skin colour not intended by nature. Biologically the pigmentary system is an important part of the skin, eyes, ears, brain and other organs and yet the tiny melanocyte, the pigment cell which produces our pigmentation, has created barriers and triggered wars. Throughout history, people have been invested in either lightening or darkening their skin tone. For some, it is just about achieving that perfect complexion, for others loss or gain of pigmentation has resulted in devastating psychological implications. Pigment cell disorders is what fuelled Dr Vanessa Lapiner’s passion for research and she maintains an absolute commitment to seeking innovative solutions to assist her patients suffering from these distressing pigmentation conditions.