Uneven skin tone is the abnormal darkening of the skin that affects people of all skin types. Also known as hyperpigmentation, dark spots spuriously located on the skin can be unsightly. However, not always so. Because hyperpigmentation is the result of overproduction of melanin, to some extent it can be undone.
Melanin is the pigment responsible for the color of skin and hair. However, if you have hyperpigmentation, you may feel hopeless. Don’t worry; there are ways to both prevent and treat an uneven skin tone!
—Preventing Hyperpigmentation—
The Sun
The main culprit behind dark skin patches is the sun! Over-exposure to the sun’s UV rays causes melanin to go into over-production resulting in dark patches on the skin.
No matter the season or the weather, daily application of sunscreen should be part of your skin-care regimen. Choose a protectant wisely, one with an SPF of 30 or higher. Without sunscreen, UV rays, which can be harmful, will cause new dark spots to appear. Even worse, these sometimes dangerous rays can worsen the spots you already have!
Scabs and Scarring
To prevent uneven skin-tone patches from forming, avoid picking at spots. Simply put, don’t poke at, pop, or scratch any scabs or acne on your skin. Repeated picking can lead to permanent scarring. Which, in turn, leads to skin damage and more dark spots.
Keep in mind that cuts, burns, and even lupus cause scarring. So, these can all result in an uneven skin tone. But, don’t fret, having an uneven skin tone does not detract from your beauty.
Hydration
Drink enough water. How much? The recommended amount of water you should drink is anywhere from 2.7 liters to 3.7 liters. Why? This keeps your skin hydrated. When skin is well-hydrated, it’s more plump and resilient as opposed to dry skin.
In fact, hyaluronic acid in the skin retains water. When there is adequate water from inside and outside, the skin appears vibrant and is less likely to develop dark spots. What’s more, it’s less prone to wrinkles.
—Living with Hyperpigmentation—
Exfoliation
With time, skin cells die off. As they die off, they may begin to build up. This mountain of dead skin cells can actually appear as hyperpigmentation. Sun damage, for example, can be treated in this way.
Gently exfoliating removes layers of these cells and allows the new ones below the skin surface to take their place. Exfoliation can be done on most parts of the body with scrubs, or natural or chemical treatments at least once a week.
One of such treatments is a chemical peel. A peel works to remove skin cells, whether alive or dead. Each peel removes a layer of skin that once contained scars, acne, or wrinkles. Though that sounds harmful, it’s actually not. In fact, after a few peels, you’ll begin to notice the difference!
Make-Up
Sometimes hyperpigmentation is permanent. If that’s the case, don’t fret. You still have other options. Concealer, for example, can neutralize the darker shades of skin. It can even add a warm glow, leaving skin that is an even tone. This way you can temporarily cover up spots that may be embarrassing.
Still, hyperpigmentation is not the end of it all. Many options are available but, most importantly you are still beautiful!
The information provided herein has been reviewed for accuracy, but cannot be guaranteed to be free of infallalacy. A consultation with a doctor is always needed before receiving treatment of any cosmetic product.
© 2016, 2019 ALLIED MEDICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Published: 20161209
Revised: 20190531
