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  2. Health

The Science Behind Why Your Penis Is A Different Colour To The Rest Of Your Body

Here's why your Johnson might be a darker shade - by Alex Pierotti
  • 05 Dec 2019
The Science Behind Why Your Penis Is A Different Colour To The Rest Of Your Body
Getty Images

Just like the rug not matching the curtains, you may notice that your little fella downstairs is a shade darker than the rest of your body. While it's something you've always come to accept, there's actually a good reason for it. 

Dermatologists Dr. Cameron Rokhsar and Dr. Lindsey Bordone spoke to Daily Mail Online to explain why your penis and nipples are a different colour and the answer is less obvious than you think.

It's all about sex hormones. Hormones such as testosterone and estrogen manage the activity of our melanocyte cells - the cells responsible for releasing melanin, the protein pigment that affects our skin colour.

During puberty, we can expect an increase in cells - that's why our nipples and Johnson darken during our teenage years.  

“Hormones regulate the way melanocytes produce their pigment," Dr. Rokhsar told the publication. 

"Those can have an effect on the way the skin in that area pigments, so generally that area is darker."

“When girls are young, their nipples are light,” Dr. Bordone added.

“And as they get older, hormones have an effect and the nipples darken. It’s very similar for boys.”

Private parts aside, this is also explains why your hair is lighter as a kid. 

In rare cases, the darkening of areas can also signal health problems such as diabetes.

“Your skin can darken in certain areas when your sugars are very high – and you’re developing diabetes,” she mentioned.

If in doubt, consult a medical professional. 

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Alex Pierotti
Alex Pierotti
Alex Pierotti is the Digital Content Editor for Men's Health Australia, with experience reporting on health, fitness and sport. With a Journalism degree from UNSW under his belt, he got his start working in TV, working on the live broadcast of the Intrust Super Shute Shield on 7TWO before making the switch to print and digital at Pacific Magazines.

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