Having a smooth and even skin tone is a skincare goal for most of us. But as we get older, our skin is – unfortunately – increasingly susceptible to losing its clear, smooth, youthful appearance due to a wide range of factors, from hormones to genetics, environmental factors, and simple aging.
Luckily, there are several effective ways to help you get an even skin tone back. Between top-quality skincare products and in-office facials and treatments, it’s possible to brighten your complexion, even out pigmentation, smooth out skin texture, and generally restore (or maintain) a more youthful appearance to your skin.
However, understanding what causes an uneven skin tone to begin with is an essential part of knowing how best to treat it, and ensuring you can maintain as smooth a skin tone as possible long term.
So keep reading to find out the primary causes of uneven skin tone, the most effective skincare ingredients for skin tone correction, the best professional treatments available, and other tips and tricks to help you achieve that balanced, radiant glow!
What causes an uneven skin tone?
Uneven skin tone is a broad term that refers to skin that has lost its baby-smooth appearance and developed a patchy or uneven distribution of color, texture, or pigmentation.
Dark spots, melasma, sun spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, as well as uneven skin texture like patches of dry or flaky skin, fine lines, or blotchiness all fall under the umbrella of uneven skin tone.
There are many different factors that can cause uneven skin tone, which is one of the main reasons it’s such a common problem. And when it comes to how to address it and get an even skin tone back, understanding those causes is essential.
The most common causes of uneven skin tone include:
- Sun damage: One of the main culprits, too much UV exposure always leads to sunspots and patches of hyperpigmentation over time.
- Hormonal changes: Pregnancy, menopause, and other hormonal shifts can all impact skin texture and pigmentation. Conditions like melasma, in particular, are often hormone-related.
- Post-Inflammatory hyperpigmentation: Acne, skin injuries, or other skin conditions or irritation can all leave dark marks as they heal.
- Environmental factors: Pollution and oxidative stress can cause patches of darker skin to develop, especially in urban settings.
- Genetics: Some people are simply more genetically predisposed to developing uneven skin tones, particularly those with darker skin tones, which tend to be more prone to dark spots developing.
- Aging: As we age, our skin’s natural turnover slows down, often leading to a build-up of dead skin cells which leads to a less-even appearance.
- Poor skincare habits: Not caring for your skin, i.e. not protecting it from the sun, cleansing daily, or keeping it hydrated and moisturized, will all enhance the likelihood of developing an uneven skin tone.
Most often, there are multiple factors at play. And knowing the main causes of your uneven skin tone can help you find the most effective solution.
At BodyTonic Med Spa in Cleveland, we use the 7th Generation VISIA® Skin Analysis System as standard as part of our consultations, to analyze your skin at a deeper level and identify the causes and thus the best treatments and products to support your skin’s needs.
The best skincare ingredients for treating uneven skin tone
One of the easiest ways to start getting an even skin tone back is by adding targeted skincare ingredients to your daily routine.
Here are some of the top scientifically proven ingredients to look out for:
- Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs): AHAs, like glycolic acid and lactic acid, work by gently exfoliating the skin’s surface, removing the dead cells that can dull the complexion and contribute to uneven tone. Regular use of AHAs can brighten and smooth skin over time.
- Beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs): BHAs, such as salicylic acid, penetrate deeper into the pores, making them especially effective for oily or acne-prone skin. They reduce inflammation and clear away dead skin, which can minimize redness and hyperpigmentation.
- Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant, Vitamin C helps to fade dark spots and promotes a bright, even complexion by neutralizing harmful free radicals. This ingredient is perfect for daily use and is a staple in many skin-brightening products.
- Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): Niacinamide is known for its soothing properties and ability to improve uneven skin tone and texture. It also strengthens the skin’s natural barrier, making it more resilient to external stressors and helping to reduce redness and blotchiness.
- Vitamin A (Retinoids): Retinoids are well-known for their anti-aging benefits, specifically their ability to increase cell turnover, which helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and improve skin texture. Regular use can reveal fresher, more even-looking skin.
These ingredients can be found in most skincare products these days, but for the best results you really need to be going for the top-line medical-grade products.
At BodyTonic, we offer skincare products from top brands including Skinbetter Science, Neocutis, and iSClinical – some of the best ranges on the market with scientifically proven formulas containing these high-quality ingredients – and can recommend the exact products that will help to improve your skin tone depending on the primary causes behind it.
The best treatments and laser for even skin tone
While topical products can be effective for treating uneven skin tone over time, professional treatments can make a much more dramatic difference, especially for more stubborn discoloration, and will typically deliver a more noticeable and long-lasting improvement to your skin tone.
Lasers are well-known for their ability to even-out skin tone, but there are many other treatment options available for treating uneven skin tone and texture, depending on your specific skin concerns and skin type.
Here are some of our favorites:
Laser skin resurfacing
Lasers are by far one of the most popular and effective ways to treat uneven skin tone. Depending on your individual skin condition, there are various options, such as:
- BBL Hero: a broadband light laser ideal for improving skin tone and turning back the clock on aging, this is one of our most popular lasers for achieving even skin tone.
- MOXI: a non-ablative fractional laser that’s perfect for improving skin texture as well as overall long-term skin maintenance and rejuvenation.
- CoolPeel™CO2 Laser: A super advanced fractional ablative CO2 laser that drastically improves skin tone without the downtime needed from traditional ablative CO2 lasers.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are an effective way to treat uneven skin tone by exfoliating the top layers of skin and encouraging new cell growth. By removing dead skin cells and revealing brighter layers underneath, chemical peels can help with skin tone issues like sun damage, post-acne marks, and dull skin.
Microneedling
Microneedling uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, which stimulates collagen production and helps the skin repair itself. This process can fade dark spots and improve skin texture, leaving you with a smoother, more even complexion. Depending on the results you’re after there are various options, including the SkinPen for lighter skin tone rejuvenation needs, or Virtue RF Microneedling, which combines microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy for even more noticeable results – and you can even combine this with platelet-rich plasma therapy for better results still.
Top tips for how to get (and maintain) an even skin tone
Whatever your age or skin condition, it’s never too late to make some changes that will help you get a more even skin tone, not to mention maintain it.
Here are our top tips on how to preserve the results of your skin rejuvenation treatments and keep your skin looking smooth, healthy, and youthful:
- Daily sunscreen: Protecting your skin from UV exposure is essential for preventing new pigmentation, even on cloudy days. A broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 is ideal.
- Gentle regular exfoliation: Regular but gentle exfoliation keeps skin bright without irritating it. This includes using skincare products with naturally exfoliating ingredients (e.g. AHAs), physical (but gentle) exfoliating scrubs, and exfoliating in-office treatments.
- Quality skincare products: Choose products with proven formulas of skin-brightening ingredients like AHAs, Vitamin C, and niacinamide. At BodyTonic we offer a range of medical-grade skincare products that support long-term radiance and skin clarity, and can recommend the best products for your individual needs.
- Hydration hydration hydration: Keeping your skin hydrated is vital for maintaining a healthy and smooth complexion. This comes from both drinking enough water and using a hydrating moisturizer.
Treat uneven skin tone in Cleveland, Ohio, at BodyTonic Med Spa
Uneven skin tone might seem like an inevitable part of aging, but it doesn’t need to be.
Between quality skincare with powerful active ingredients, a wide range of cutting-edge in-office treatments, and maintaining a good at-home skincare routine, it’s more than possible to enjoy a smooth, blemish-free, even skin tone well into your later years.
If you live in the Cleveland area, come and see us at BodyTonic Med Spa for a completely free, no-obligation, personalized skin consultation, and find out the many ways we can help you get your skin looking as radiant and youthful as possible.
Book your consultation today, and find out how we can help you achieve your skincare goals.
