Understanding Vulvar Skin Pigmentation: Causes & Variations

Question
Hello:

I have a general question that I hope you can answer. I thank you for any helpful reply that may be sent to me.  I am curious to know why the skin of
the vulva of some Caucasian (white) women has a dark color to it. The color is more of a grayish-black color. Do you know why this darkish colorization
occurs?

Once again, I thank you for your reply and answer.


Answer
The color of vulvar skin depends on the vascularity of the dermis,the thickness of the epidermis, and the amount of melanin or some other pigment. Dark vulvar skin is due to an increased amount or concentration of melanin. This may occur after trauma. Melanosis, or lentigo, is a benign darkly pigmented, flat lesion that may be confused with a melanoma.  Vulvar skin may darken following the use of estrogen cream, as well. A dark vulva may merely be a normal variant.