Uneven Skin Tone

Uneven skin tone is skin discolouration often referred to as hyperpigmentation – an increase in melanin production that creates dark spots or patches on the skin which are darker than the rest of the skin. Melanin is a natural pigment that determines skin, hair and eye colour. It also helps to protect the skin against harmful UV rays, preventing sun damage. Uneven skin tone is a sign of skin damage which can occur due to a number of reasons such as; sun exposure, pollution, certain medications and hormones. 

Exposure to UV rays can be very harmful to your skin. The skin responds to sun exposure by producing extra melanin to absorb the UV rays. Sunspots (dark spots) can develop as a result of this excessive melanin produced to help protect skin against the sun. This is the most common cause of uneven skin tone. 

Dark spots on the face can also form due to particles and gasses from air pollution. Smoke, dust, chemicals and carbon dioxide all contribute to a loss in collagen and elastin. When they come in contact with the skin, the skin begins to produce extra melanin to help get rid of these particles. As a result, dark patches of skin can develop, causing uneven skin tone.

Melasma is a hormone-related hyperpigmentation. This is common in women who are pregnant (often referred to as ‘pregnancy mask’), women on contraceptive medication or people receiving hormone therapy. Melasma is typically visible on the face, neck and forearms as dark patches or freckle-like spots. Another cause of uneven skin tone is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This is when the skin darkens due to injury such as acne, scarring and cuts. Dark spots and patches are formed because the body produces more melanin as part of its healing process.

Chemical peels work to combat uneven skin tone. Our  Obagi Blue Peel containing salicylic, lactic and glycolic acids, works to remove the surface layer of your skin that consists of damaged and aged skin, improving its texture and skin tone. It encourages new skin turnover, meaning the old dead skin cells are removed leaving healthy cells in place which are not discoloured. Microneedling is also highly effective for treating unwanted hyperpigmentation or melasma. It works to promote new skin growth, which helps overturn the discoloured skin cells, causing skin tone to be more even. This treatment encourages the production of collagen and elastin.