TLDR Darker skin in 10-year-old girls may be an early sign of puberty.
The study of 289 Polish children aged 7-10 years found a significant increase in skin pigmentation as an early sign of puberty, particularly in girls, with intensified differences at age 10. This change in skin pigmentation appeared to precede the pubertal growth spurt and menarche, while hair pigmentation did not show a similar change.
Cited in this study
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305 citations
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February 2007 in “Hormone and metabolic research” Human skin makes sexual hormones that affect hair growth, skin health, and healing; too much can cause acne and hair loss, while treatments can manage these conditions.
16 citations
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December 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings” Hair color is determined by different melanins and changes with age.
147 citations
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October 2004 in “Experimental dermatology” Hormones like testosterone affect skin functions and can cause skin issues when in excess; treatments to manage these effects are only somewhat effective.
3 citations
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June 2021 in “International Journal of Women's Dermatology” Scalp micro-wounding helps promote hair growth in female pattern hair loss.
