Sun damage This is the primary cause of an uneven skin tone, as sun exposure triggers melanin production to protect the skin. In the short term, this causes a tan to develop. In itself, any tan is an indication of skin damage. Over time, however, this sun damage can lead to brown spots and an uneven skin tone.
To get back to your natural skin tone after tanning, incorporate exfoliation into your routine to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. Use products with brightening agents like Vitamin C or glycolic acid to help lighten the tan. Keep your skin well-moisturized and protected from the sun.
Uneven pigmentation
That extra melanin is what creates a suntan. But sometimes skin doesn't make melanin evenly. As a result, the skin's coloring, called pigmentation, looks patchy. The sun also can cause small blood vessels to stretch, giving skin a blotchy look.
Moisturize: Hydrating your skin is crucial for an even tan because dry skin can reflect UV rays, leading to uneven coloration. So, after your exfoliation session, make sure to slather on a good moisturizer.
Common reasons for patchy self-tanning include having products on the skin (perfume, deodorant, oil-based moisturizers, etc.) that can cause your tan to break down and fade unevenly.
This happens because “Each of us produces a different quantity and quality of melanin. Melanin is a pigment produced by our cells found in the basal layer of the skin,” explains Dr Puig. The cells that produce melanin are called melanocytes.
A tan from being outside will last an average of 7–10 days. The sun's UV rays stimulate melanin production in the cells of the outer skin layer, so once these cells are shed, you are left with your original skin tone.
Look into a mirror in natural light. Artificial lighting can alter the appearance of your natural skin colour. Notice the colour of the skin along your jawline or behind your ear. These areas typically tend to show your skin tone in its purest form, without any redness or discolouration that could get in the way.
This is the primary cause of an uneven skin tone, as sun exposure triggers melanin production to protect the skin. In the short term, this causes a tan to develop. In itself, any tan is an indication of skin damage. Over time, however, this sun damage can lead to brown spots and an uneven skin tone.
Similarly to how dark clothes can help you look slim, a tan can bring definition to the body, helping you look and feel thinner.
Dermatologists recommend a simple daily routine that includes a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Exfoliating your skin once or twice a week with a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliant also helps remove dead skin cells and promote cell renewal, revealing a brighter complexion with a more even skin tone.
Make sure you drink water often to keep your whole body nourished and keep that tan glowing! It may sound like a gimmick, but there are actually certain foods that can help boost, and even enhance your tan. Eating carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and cantaloupe will give you a healthy dose of carotene.
Using body products with either vitamin C or coconut oil (or both!) are good products to apply onto the skin. All types of natural oils are extremely healthy for your skin. Simply take some coconut oil (mixing other natural oils is okay as well), apply it on the uneven tanned areas, and leave it on overnight.
After extensive testing, we determined the highest rated self-tanner to be the St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse. It's an airy mousse that's easy to apply and blend and leaves you with a natural-looking glow. You can also customize the depth of color based on how long you leave it on your skin.
Type IV – Brown skin color, brown hair, and brown eyes, tans more than average, rarely burns, and rarely freckles. Common ethnic background: the Mediterranean, Southern European, Hispanic.
The activation and production of melanin is responsible for skin pigmentation and the dark colour on your skin. Compared to the rest of the body, skin on the legs does not produce the same amount of melanin, which results in legs getting less tan.
You don't necessarily tan faster in water or laying out. This is because water reflects UV rays, so you may not be getting as much exposure as you think if you're actually in the pool.
Uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation? When you say uneven skin tone, it is generally understood as hyperpigmentation. A condition caused by a spike in melanin production, hyperpigmentation leads to the formation of flat, brown spots or patches that are relatively darker than your overall complexion.
These melanocyte cells generate melanin, which is what causes your skin to tan in the sun. Unfortunately, sometimes the sun causes the melanocytes to increase unevenly, which can then result in darker and lighter patches of skin.