PSI Barbering Practice Exam

An absence of melanin pigment in the body, including the skin, hair, and eyes, is known as what?

1. Albinism

2. Vitiligo

3. Leukoderma

4. Hypopigmentation

The correct answer is: Albinism

The condition characterized by an absence of melanin pigment in the body, affecting the skin, hair, and eyes, is known as albinism. Albinism is a genetic disorder caused by mutations that affect the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for coloring the skin, hair, and eyes. Individuals with albinism usually have lighter skin and hair, and their eyes often have reduced pigmentation, leading to vision-related issues. Albinism is different from other conditions like vitiligo, which involves the loss of pigment in patches on the skin, or leukoderma, which refers to the skin becoming lighter in color due to various causes but isn't specific to a complete absence of melanin. Hypopigmentation is a broader term that refers to a reduction in the pigment of the skin, but it doesn't specifically denote total absence like albinism does. Thus, albinism is the precise term that accurately describes the complete lack of melanin throughout the body.