Pigmentary variation in Indian populations.

Skin reflectance spectrophotometric studies on Indian populations have been reviewed. Age changes in skin colour have been described on the basis of available data. It has been observed that pigment is lost through adolescent years. Sex differences have been found in skin colour in Indian studies. Variation in skin tanning and seasonal changes in skin colour have been recorded. Pigmentary variation in the Indian populations have been discussed. Regional differences have been found to be the result of adaptative adjustments in response to local ecological conditions. Superimposed on their pigmentary variations are the differences induced by the caste hierarchy and reinforced by assortative mating for skin pigmentation.