Melasma

• Vitamins and polyunsaturated fats prevent sun damage.Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Robby!
  
  One of the most common types of discoloration is melasma, which is the dark skin discoloration on areas of skin exposed to the sun. It is especially common in young and pregnant women. The AJCN states that including more vitamins and polyunsaturated fats in the diet can protect the body from ultra violet radiation. Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of vitamins, and safflower, canola and vegetable oils contain large amounts of polyunsaturated fats.
  
  

Hyper pigmentation

• Dairy products are rich in vitamin B12.Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of fdecomite
  
  The College of Family Physicians of Canada has presented several cases of hyper pigmentation due to low levels of vitamin B12 in the diet. Increasing vitamin B12 by eating foods like meat and dairy products prevents hyper pigmentation and cutaneous lesions.
  
  

Pale Skin

• Green leafy vegetables are rich in iron.Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Ellie Van Houtte
  
  Pale skin is one of the first signs of iron deficiency anemia, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. Include iron rich foods in your diet such as meats, fish, poultry, legumes and green leafy vegetables to avoid iron deficiency anemia.
  
  

Changes in Skin Pigments

• Kwashiorkor mainly affects children.Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of D. Sharon Pruitt
  
  Kwashiorkor is a severe form of malnutrition which affects mostly children. Around 50 percent of the elderly in nursing homes may also suffer from this. One of its main symptoms is a change of the pigmentation of skin and hair. A well-balanced diet rich in high-quality proteins like dairy products and milk is given to cure this condition.
  
  

Aged Skin

• Sometimes old age leads to skin damage.Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Jon Rawlinson
  
  Sometimes your skin may lose its color and smoothness due to age. A study by Dr Maeve Cosgrove in the AJCN reports that higher intake of vitamin C and linoleic acid along with a low fat diet may help slow the process. Eat more citrus fruits for vitamin C and fish for linoleic acid.