"It is very normal for most people to have darker skin in the genital area as compared to other parts of your body," informs Dr. Mugdha Raut, Consulting Gynaecologist from Mumbai.

However, it need not be the case for everyone.

"Just like everyone does not have similar complexion, there are people who have lighter skin near the genitals than anywhere else in the body. It is basically dependant on your melanin production and to some extent on your genes as well," explains Dr. Raut.

Apart from how much melanin your body produces, there are other factors as well that decide the intensity of the darkness.

Dermatologist and Cosmetologist, Dr. Jaishree Sharad from Mumbai points out the obvious factors that can make the skin there extremely dark.

• Fungal Infection

This is quite common among women in India, especially since we live in a tropical climate where sweating is a given. Combine that with tight clothing, including non-breathing fabrics, infection is a high possibility.

And in most cases it goes unnoticed for a long time. The fungus can react with your skin there and cause it to grow darker in complexion.

• Allergy

This is just an extension of fungal infection. An allergy can happen due to sweat, improper hygiene routine, cosmetic creams etc.

Constant itching and scratching of the area due to allergy can cause friction which eventually leads to dark scars.

• Constant Friction

This could be caused due to the tight clothing you wear like jeans, including tight panties with rough lacing, and synthetic fabrics.

"Since the skin in the genital areas is very sensitive, even a minor friction is enough to cause wound and leave a scar. And if you are naturally dark in complexion then the scar colouration would be even darker," explains Dr. Jaishree.