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Nobody’s skin tone is perfectly even, so it’s normal to have some spots on your face that are a shade lighter or a shade darker than the rest of it — or a slightly different texture. However, some people develop patches that are noticeably different from the rest of their face, and sometimes even makeup won’t cover it. Here’s what you need to know about the causes of uneven skin tone on the face and how to treat it.
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Causes of Uneven Skin Tone on Face
First of all, you need to figure out what is causing your uneven skin tone. There are many potential causes of uneven skin tone, including sunburn, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, melasma, dry skin, pollution and more. Without identifying the underlying cause(s) of your uneven skin tone, your treatment attempts might not be effective — or worse; they might even exacerbate the problem.
Hyperpigmentation can manifest in multiple ways, including sunspots and dark spots left behind after acne lesions or cuts have healed. Melasma is another form of hyperpigmentation that often occurs during pregnancy and manifests as large patches of brown or gray skin. Dry skin patches will have a different texture and sometimes color from the rest of your face, while rosacea patches will look red and flushed instead.
If you’re not sure what is causing the problem, a professional dermatologist can help you figure it out. In fact, getting an annual exam to check for skin cancer and also diseases is an excellent way to prevent uneven skin tone down the line and contribute to overall skin health. When in doubt, it’s always better to go to a dermatologist to get an expert opinion.
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How to Treat Uneven Skin Tone on Face
When it comes to treating uneven skin tone at home, it’s vital that you don’t pick at your skin. This can lead to scarring, hyperpigmentation and other conditions that can make your uneven skin tone worse. Some of these results, such as scarring, can be difficult to impossible to treat, so it’s wise to take steps to prevent them in the first place. If you tend to pick at acne and cuts, try wearing a hydrocolloid bandage over them to stop yourself.
Next, you should wear quality sunscreen absolutely every day, even if you are sitting inside or the weather is cloudy. UV exposure can make conditions such as rosacea and hyperpigmentation worse, so protecting your face from the sun will help to keep these issues from progressing. When shopping for sunscreen, choose an SPF of at least 30, though higher is better. Ideally, you should get a water-resistant formula that won’t come off at the first sign of sweat. Reapply your sunscreen every two hours when outside in the sun.
We also recommend incorporating a vitamin C serum like our Brightening Booster into your morning routine before you apply your sunscreen. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to protect your skin from free radical damage and may inhibit the production of melanin in the skin as well (melanin is what causes dark spots).
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It’s also important that you exfoliate regularly using a face peel or another chemical exfoliator. Dead skin cell patches will worsen the appearance of dark spots and result in the uneven application of makeup or other facial products, making your face appear patchy. Most people need to exfoliate between one to three times a week depending on their skin type, regardless of whether or not they have uneven skin tone. In fact, exfoliating is so essential that we made it the middle step of our 3-step skincare routines. Exfoliating your face should be done at night since it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
If your dark spots and unevenness persist, then you might want to take things a step further with a face cream for dark spots. These creams contain concentrated ingredients such as hydroquinone that work to fade dark spots faster via topical application.
If none of these strategies work, then you might need to look into getting professional treatments done at a dermatologist’s or licensed esthetician’s office. Possible options include laser treatments such as IPL, clinical-strength peels, microdermabrasion and more. These treatments are usually more effective than at-home treatments because they involve higher concentrations of ingredients and powerful devices such as medical lasers. However, they also have more potential side effects and recovery times can last for weeks.
Ready to explore dermatologist-developed skincare that you can trust? Order from Lancer Skincare today to get a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and free shipping within the U.S.
