INTRODUCTION
Pigmentary disorders span the spectrum from hyperpigmentation to hypopigmentation and depigmentation.1 These conditions disproportionately affect skin of color (SOC) individuals with an increased prevalence of certain conditions of hyperpigmentation, including melasma, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and acquired disorders of macular hyperpigmentation (ADMH).2 Pigmentary disorders are highly prevalent worldwide, yet remain underrepresented in large-scale epidemiologic studies. In a global online survey of over 48,000 adults across 34 countries, approximately 50% of respondents reported at least one pigmentary disorder, with PIH affecting 14.7% and melasma affecting 10.9% of participants, underscoring the substantial global burden and impact of these conditions on quality of life and social stigmatization.3
As pigmentary disorders continue to significantly impact SOC individuals, they have simultaneously driven increasing consumer demand for products designed to improve uneven pigmentation and skin color.4 Despite the many warnings that advertise the possible side effects of overuse and misuse of certain skin lightening agents, the industry is still experiencing exponential growth worldwide.4 The skin lightening industry is expected to be worth over 24 billion dollars by 2027.5
As there is limited real-time data on public awareness and interest in pigmentary disorders, Google Trends offers a publicly available data source to evaluate search interest over time and geography. Google Trends utilizes anonymized and categorized samples of Google search queries grouped together to display how interest in topics can vary across the world.6 Previous work has leveraged this tool to track public interest in specific skin disorders.7 The goal of this study was to explore domestic and global search interest in pigmentary disorders, to identify trends that may reflect disease burden, consumer interest, and opportunities for targeted public health interventions.
As pigmentary disorders continue to significantly impact SOC individuals, they have simultaneously driven increasing consumer demand for products designed to improve uneven pigmentation and skin color.4 Despite the many warnings that advertise the possible side effects of overuse and misuse of certain skin lightening agents, the industry is still experiencing exponential growth worldwide.4 The skin lightening industry is expected to be worth over 24 billion dollars by 2027.5
As there is limited real-time data on public awareness and interest in pigmentary disorders, Google Trends offers a publicly available data source to evaluate search interest over time and geography. Google Trends utilizes anonymized and categorized samples of Google search queries grouped together to display how interest in topics can vary across the world.6 Previous work has leveraged this tool to track public interest in specific skin disorders.7 The goal of this study was to explore domestic and global search interest in pigmentary disorders, to identify trends that may reflect disease burden, consumer interest, and opportunities for targeted public health interventions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Google Trends was used to evaluate fluctuations in public interest over time and across geographic regions in cutaneous hyperpigmentation. On October 23rd 2025, the search terms "hyperpigmentation", "pigmentation," "skin brightening," "brown
