Uneven Skin Tone
Toronto

Overproduction of Melanin

It can be challenging to feel your best when you are combating uneven skin tone. Part of your face may look older or darker than the rest and that can be discouraging for some people. Thankfully, there are several cosmetic treatment options for uneven skin tone that can make you look more radiant, youthful, and vibrant.

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What is Uneven Skin Tone?

Known medically as hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone typically involves the darkening of certain areas in irregular patterns. For some people, uneven skin tones and dark spots may cover only a small area of skin. For others, hyperpigmentation can be widespread. When you come in for ​assessment and​ treatment, your dermatologist will examine your skin to evaluate the overall health and wellness of your s​kin.

Many patients treat uneven skin tone for aesthetic reasons. D​arker areas of skin can be perceived as older or less healthy than others as people read uneven skin tone as “age spots.”

Forms of Uneven Skin Tone

Uneven skin tone can manifest in a variety of different ways. Some uneven skin tone-related issues include:

Melasma: A common type of facial uneven skin tone, melasma presents as areas of gray or brown on the face. Usually, these develop as patches, often around the cheeks, forehead, or upper lip.

Sunspots: These brown spots are usually caused by excess amounts of UV radiation (hence the name). They tend to show up in areas that receive copious amounts of sunlight, such as the face or the back of the hands.

Freckles: The intensity and concentration of freckles usually respond to sunlight. Freckles can become darker and more plentiful when exposed to UV radiation.

Other forms of hyperpigmentation: Some types of hyperpigmentation can be caused by inflammation or as a response to medication.

Caused by a localized  overproduction of melanin, an uneven skin tone can develop for a wide variety of reasons. Research suggests genetic predisposition can increase the chances of hyperpigmentation. Additionally, environmental factors undoubtedly play a role. In most cases, for example, an uneven skin tone can present due to excess exposure to UV light.

Melanin is the chemical in your skin responsible for your overall skin tone. The more melanin in your cells, the more saturated your skin will appear, or the darker your skin tone will be.

Usually, melanin is distributed throughout your skin with relative equality. In cases of uneven skin tone, however, that doesn’t happen. Smaller areas produce an excess amount of melanin, leading to hyperpigmentation.

Uneven Skin Tone Treatment FAQ

Uneven skin tone can be caused by a variety of factors. Genetic predisposition, environmental factors and inflammation can all be causes. Excess exposure to UV light is a primary cause.

While it may be genetic predisposition, darkening skin on the face is often caused by environmental damage and the cumulative effects of UV exposure. These both cause an overproduction of melanin, the pigment in the skin.

Love Your Skin

To learn more about how one of our board-certified dermatologists can help you treat uneven skin tone, please complete this form, text or call us at 647-351-9277.

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650 Mount Pleasant Rd #8
Toronto, ON M4S 2N5, Canada

ph: 647-351-9277
Fax. 647-351-9077

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