Perfect, poreless, even skin without a blemish, wrinkle, or scar is the stuff of fairy tales, filters, and photoshop. So unless you are a child or J Lo, uneven skin tone is common. Still, simply because uneven skin is common doesn’t mean an Insta feed full of flawless faces isn't frustrating and that you won’t look for every available option for evening it out. We’re taking a look at how uneven skin happens and strategies to treat it.
How Uneven Skin Happens
There are a few main culprits for uneven skin and figuring out why is the first step to correctly treating it. Uneven skin is brought about by age, sun exposure, hormones, and medications resulting in some form of hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation is irregular darkening of the skin due to overproduction of melanin. There are a few different types of hyperpigmentation:
Photoaging - Aging is a normal consequence of the body but photoaging is a result of overexposure to UV light. Damage occurs in the form of little brown spots as a result of too much melanin being produced.
Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation - Better known as acne scars, it’s skin darkening due to skin injury (like a burn) or lesions.
Melasma- Change in pigmentation due to fluctuations in hormone activity. Melanocyte cells create a gathering of melanin in the skin from medication (such as birth control), reaction to cosmetics, or pregnancy.
How to Treat Uneven Skin
There are various solutions for uneven skin which depend on the cause and also the severity. Best to start with treatments on the mild end and only seek a more intense solution if no results.
Sunscreen- Clearly. Obviously. Use SPF 30 or higher daily.
Vitamin C - Antioxidant rich Vitamin C skincare protects against free radical damage.
Exfoliation- Remove, dry, dull surface skin cells, bring out the healthier skin underneath.
Acid- Sounds severe but many over the counter products with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and kojic acid remove surface skin cells (aka exfoliate) and reveal the new healthy skin underneath.
Hydroquinone - This skin bleaching cream that can help lighten dark spots on the skin, evening out the skin tone. Find it in skincare products and prescription versions from a dermatologist.
Chemical Peels- Penetrate the skin to exfoliate and peel the top layers to refresh skin.
Micro dermabrasion- Thickens collagen in your skin and removes the thicker outer layer a new layer of skin.
Lasers - consider only when all else has failed. Lighten skin and sun spots and flatten scars. However, even then lasers may not be ideal for your skin type, so check with a dermatologist.
Soon offers a non-irritating way to help uneven skin, our Biocellulose Brightening Face Mask is an excellent integration in your skincare arsenal. WIth arbutin to slow the production of melanin, niacinamide to brighten dull patches, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump, the Biocellulose Brightening Face Mask helps your skin stay healthy and get even.
