Advances in animal models of pigmentary skin disorders

Abstract Pigmentary cutaneous disorders are characterized by abnormal decreases or increases in melanin production, leading to altered skin coloration. These conditions include vitiligo, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The etiology of these dermatological manifestations is multifactorial, encompassing environmental triggers, hormonal fluctuations, psychological stress, and physical trauma. Although generally non-life-threatening, these disorders significantly impact patients’ quality of life due to visible disfigurement and consequent psychosocial distress. This paper reviews the methods used to establish animal models for different types of pigmentary skin diseases and the research progress in this area. By examining published experimental studies, we have sorted out the modeling methods for these animal models and discussed their potential applications in clinical treatment research. Studies have shown that establishing appropriate animal models is beneficial for understanding the pathogenesis of pigmentary skin diseases and for conducting drug screening and dosage form optimization. Although no major breakthroughs have been made so far, the existing research results have provided an important foundation for future studies and supported the potential of these models in clinical treatment research. Establishing appropriate animal models for pigmentary skin diseases is both feasible and meaningful. With the continuous improvement of modeling techniques and a deeper understanding of the model mechanisms, animal models for pigmentary skin diseases will provide a powerful tool for verifying new treatment methods, thereby promoting progress in clinical treatment.