UNEVEN SKINTONE

THE CAUSES OF UNEVEN SKIN TONE

As we’ve already mentioned, uneven skin tone forms a natural part of the ageing process. Beneath your skin, you’ll find cells called melanocytes. They’re responsible for producing melanin, which is the hormone that allows you to turn a golden colour when you tan. As you age, your melanocytes are less likely to release the melanin in an orderly pattern. Because of this, some dark patches will appear. They’re more prominent on the hands and face, or any other area that you expose to the sun for long periods.

OTHER CAUSES OF UNEVEN SKIN TONE INCLUDE:

Spending Too Much Time In The Sun

As you may have guessed, spending too much time in the sun causes your skin tone to become discoloured. When you encourage your melanocytes to work harder than they’re used to, they wear out easily, forcing them to lay down melanin in random patches. This is a risk factor that you can modify.

Hormonal Changes

In a few cases, you can experience hyperpigmentation due to ‘melasma’ or ‘chloasma.’ Both of these processes arise when your body undergoes a sudden hormonal change. The most common example is pregnancy, where some women will develop a dark mask across their face that medics affectionately refer to as “the mask of pregnancy.” In most cases, this resolves within a few weeks of giving birth, which is when your hormones begin to settle down.

Discolouration Due To Acne Scarring Or A Wound

As an inflammatory process, acne has the potential to cause scarring. Scarring becomes more likely if you burst spots or scratch at them, which draws more inflammatory markers to the area so that your skin can heal quickly. The same reaction can occur if you encounter problems such as sunburn or wounding. In the latter case, prominently raised scarring also becomes an issue.

Don’t Ignore Colour Changes That Aren’t Due To Hyperpigmentation

If you notice a new mole, have a birthmark or develop a growth, it’s worth noting that these aren’t cases of hyperpigmentation. As such, you may wish to seek advice from your GP, especially if the mole is new and has irregular borders.