Discolored Penis Skin – Causes, Risk Factors and Prevention

The skin of a man’s penis rarely matches the skin on the rest of his body; in lighter-skinned men, the penile skin may be darker, while darker-skinned men may have a lighter-hued tool. In fact, in a single man, the color of the skin may be differentiated between the head and the shaft – and all of these variations are perfectly normal. However, when discolored penis skin develops, most guys are naturally alarmed and anxious to find the cause. In most cases, penile discoloration is nothing to worry about – see below for a description of some common causes. While it cannot always be prevented or reversed, the right approach to penis care can help men to maintain skin that is healthy, smooth and appealing, regardless of its coloration.

1.   Masturbation- The average male begins masturbating somewhere around the onset of puberty and continues the practice throughout his lifetime. This means that the penile skin is subject to an extreme amount of friction, which can lead to lightening or darkening of the skin color, depending on its original coloration. Unless a man is willing to forgo his solo sessions, it is likely that his skin will be affected to some degree; however, this can be mitigated somewhat by using a personal lubricant and a light touch, rather than dry rubbing using a chokehold.

2.   Bruising- Aggressive masturbation, a particularly rambunctious partner encounter, or an impact injury can all cause bruising of the penile skin – the result of broken capillaries under the skin’s surface This can be characterized by dark bluish or purple blotches that may fade to a green or yellow hue as the bruise heals. Bruising is usually superficial, but if it is accompanied by swelling or ongoing pain, a check with a doctor is in order. Applying cool compresses directly after an injury, and then gentle heat in the following days, may reduce some of the appearance of bruising.

3.   Vitiligo – This skin disorder is something of a mystery, but it appears to be linked to an autoimmune issue. It can occur in both light-skinned and dark-skinned individuals and is characterized by a loss of pigmentation. Men with vitiligo may have patches of completely white skin on various parts of the body, including on the penis. The condition is not curable or reversible, but it is benign and in no way contagious. Men who are self-conscious about the issue may simply explain the condition to their partners and assure them that it is not a disease or communicable.

4.   Lichen planus- Another skin disorder that is not well-understood, lichen planus is an itchy skin rash that appears as purplish bumps that may have white striations. It can affect the penis of men who have the condition, but it is generally not itchy on this part of the body. It is not contagious, and while there is no medical cure, it typically clears up on its own within a year or two.

5.   Corticosteroid creams- Frequent use of cortisone creams – often applied to treat rashes and itchy skin – has been shown to result in discoloration and striations of the dermal tissue. To avoid this problem, it is important to use no more than the recommended amount, especially on the penile skin, and to use it for no longer than the recommended time period. For certain conditions, alternate treatments may be equally effective without the risk of discoloration, so a doctor’s advice may be helpful in this respect.

Attention to penis health and ongoing care

While the issues described above are generally benign, any changes in the color or texture of the skin should be brought to the attention of a doctor to rule out any more serious conditions.

In addition, men should exercise appropriate hygiene and daily care. Cleansing properly every day can help reduce the risk of disease; and adding a penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) that contains high-end emollients such as Shea butter may see an improvement in the overall tone and texture of their skin.