Whether you’re dark, fair, wheatish or dusky, all skin tones are equally beautiful. We are born with skin tones that carry traces of our ancestors, and we should be proud of carrying their legacy within us. Today, however, people don’t desire a light skin colour anymore but just an even tone regardless of the colour. But how exactly do you attain an even skin tone?
What is an uneven skin tone?
An uneven skin tone is nothing but hyperpigmentation or the irregular darkening of the skin. It is usually caused by the overproduction of a pigment called melanin responsible for our skin and hair colour. This results in dark patches and spots on the skin that hinder your flawless look.
What are the causes of an uneven skin tone?
Many things can come in the way of your gorgeous even skin tone. Some common causes are:
Sun exposure
All that time under the sun could be ruining your clear skin and making it patchy. When your skin is exposed to UV light, sun damage occurs. Brown spots and uneven skin tone develop due to the overproduction of melanin which is produced to help protect your skin from UV light.
Age
With the increase in age, small spots known as age spots/ liver spots can be seen on the sun-exposed areas of the body. This is caused due to constant sun exposure and an increase in age.
Medications
Some medicines can harm your skin. They can cause pigmentation/dark spots and skin allergies that could lead to an uneven skin tone.
Hormones
An imbalance in your hormones can affect your skin. An uneven skin tone is caused mainly by the presence of two hormones in your body – ‘estrogen’ and ‘progesterone’, which play a crucial role in regulating the body’s melanin synthesis.
Inflammation
When you have an inflammation or irritation on the top layers of your skin, either due to acne or other injuries, pigmentation can develop, which is also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation(PIH).
In-clinic medical treatments that can help with an even skin tone
Here are commonly prescribed treatments by Dermatologists that can help you get an even skin tone. All the treatments:
Depigmenting agents
Dermatologists sometimes suggest lightening creams or gels be applied to the affected area. They are effective against patches of discolouration on most skin types. However, they can have slow results, provide less moisturisation to the skin, and make your skin greasy.
Chemical peel
A chemical peel is a procedure that helps you to reduce age spots, sun damage, melasma, and blotchy skin. Sometimes, it can lead to scars in darker skin types, if the right type and strength of chemical peel is not used. So always remember to talk to your doctor about all the side effects.
Lasers
During this kind of treatment, laser beams help to lighten the hyperpigmentation in the skin. Procedures like laser toning can greatly help remove discolouration and freckles on the skin bringing you closer to a more clear and even skin tone! However, in some cases, depending on your skin type, they can cause acne and possibly darken your skin.
Intense pulse light therapy (IPL)
This is a type of laser light treatment where laser beams reduce the unevenness on your skin. This treatment should be considered with caution as its side effects include bruising, blistering, change in skin colour and possible infection.
Microdermabrasion
This treatment uses a drill-like handheld machine that removes the top layer of your skin and makes it look more even. This method is non-invasive. However, it can result in some skin tightness, redness, minor bruising, skin sensitivity, small skin abrasions, eye-skin bruising and even spots of bleeding.
Dermabrasion
This method is similar to microdermabrasion but at a deeper level and a faster rate.
Ways to promote an even skin tone and prevent an uneven tone!
There are some lifestyle changes you can make to improve the health of your skin.
- Stay hydrated – Keeping your skin and your body hydrated will do wonders for your skin. Drink at least 3-5 litres of water and eat citrus fruits for healthy skin that restores your even tone.
- Apply moisturiser – Moisturise all of your skin, and not just your face. This helps soothe your skin and resolves dryness and redness.
- Use sunscreen – Use sunscreen regularly to prevent redness, tan, sunburns and formation of age spots caused due to sun damage. This leads to an uneven skin tone. You can use sunscreen consisting of SPF 30 and above. Make sure to reapply your sunscreen every 2-3 hours, especially when outdoors.
Foods and fluids that can hinder your skin tone.
- Alcohol causes the blood vessels to dilate and lead to a flushed face.
- Spicy foods can increase the redness of your skin.
- Foods high in refined sugars may lead to breakouts/ acne flares or premature skin ageing.
- An excess intake of dairy products can cause skin irritation and acne flare-ups in some individuals.
- Processed foods containing oils and fats can lead to unhealthy skin and uneven skin tone.
Want to get an even skin tone?
The silver lining
While it is essential to accept your body and skin exactly the way they are, there is no harm in working towards healthier skin!
FAQ’s
1. What natural remedies can I use to get an even skin tone?
Vitamin C can significantly help clear up your skin and make it healthier. You can stock up on citrus fruits as well as a vitamin C serum. However, do keep in mind that just vitamin C will not help to reduce hyperpigmentation. You will need to consult your dermatologist for appropriate treatment.
2. Is an uneven skin tone permanent?
This depends on the kind of pigmentation that you have on your skin. While some causes can be treated entirely, other ones, like age, can only be treated to an extent.
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