Introduction:
Skin is the organ that covers the entire human body. The skin consists of three layers-epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Skin is a natural barrier to various pathogens and protects the body from chemical and mechanical injury. The skin acts as a barrier to the human body. and protects humans from environmental pathogens and also helps in the regulation of temperature. The epidermis protects the body from natural ultraviolet rays. The epidermis has various layers, and the thickness of the epidermis varies with the layers. Various functions of the skin are mentioned below:
- The skin is a physical barrier that protects it from mechanical trauma and chemical injuries.
- It also protects the body from invading microorganisms.
- Helps in the immune defense mechanism.
- Maintains homeostasis.
- Exocrine functions by sweat and sebaceous glands.
- Endocrine functions -synthesis of vitamin D.
- Sensation to tactile, temperature, and pain.
- Sometimes appearance, texture, and color of the skin act as the marker of some systemic conditions.
What Is Uneven Skin Tone?
Uneven skin tone is the gross term used to describe various types of skin discoloration due to multiple causes. Uneven skin tone and texture indicate a skin health dip. Any skin damage due to multiple factors like extreme sun exposure, ultraviolet light or UV light exposure, pollution, and medications can cause uneven skin tone. It was suggested that uneven skin tone is a pigment-related disorder, and the discolored patches on the skin may result in uneven skin tone.
What Are the Causes of Uneven Skin Tone?
Uneven skin tone happens due to various causes. The most common causes for uneven skin tone are given below:
- Sun damage.
- Acne.
- Hormonal fluctuations.
- Aging effect.
- Skin damage.
- Other conditions.
Sun Damage - Excessive sun exposure will trigger melanin production. Melanin is produced to protect the skin. Excessive sun exposure causes skin tanning and causes uneven skin tone.
Acne - Acne is a common and chronic skin problem due to the formation of blocks in the sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are tiny glands containing sebum. Sebum is an oily substance secreted into the skin surface—increased production of sebum, dead cells, and bacteria accumulated to form a clog. Clog in the sebaceous gland leads to the inflammation of the gland causing the conditions like acne and pimples. In addition, acne can sometimes lead to other skin problems, including whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, nodules, and spots. Acne can also appear in the face, shoulders, chest, arms, and back region. Acne has no age predilection. Acne has several types, and the types of acne are given below:
- Whiteheads are the bump beneath the skin due to the plugging of hair follicles.
- Blackheads and clogged hair follicles form on the skin's surface and look black.
- Papules, small pink inflamed and painful lesions.
- Pustules, red lesions with pus.
- Nodules, large deep-seated lesions.
- Cystic acne is called severe nodular acne, a painful deep lesion with pus.
Hormonal Fluctuations - Pimples on the chin are mainly due to fluctuations in hormone levels, thereby causing uneven skin tone. Pimples can occur anywhere on the body, including the face, chest, neck, and back region. Pimples are usually formed due to dead skin cells and debris. Accumulating bacteria on one or more pores on the skin can cause pimples on the chin. The hormone fluctuations occur during pregnancy, consumption of contraceptives, and melasma. Melasma is the condition causing hyperpigmentation due to hormone fluctuation.
Aging Effect - Skin changes are more in older people. Some systemic conditions like diabetes mellitus and kidney diseases will cause skin dryness. Skin changes are the markers of underlying medical conditions or diseases. Some of the age-related skin changes causing uneven skin tone seen in older people are given below:
- Dry skin and itching.
- Bruises.
- Wrinkles.
- Age spots.
- Skin tags.
- Skin cancer.
Skin Damage - Skin damage can be due to sunburn, bug bites, burn, and other skin trauma. Sunburn can be treatable and preventable. Sunburn is an inflammatory response that arises due to the effect of overexposure to ultraviolet rays or UV rays on the skin. Ultraviolet rays or UV radiation damage the outermost layer of the skin called the stratum corneum in the epidermis. Melanin is the pigment present on the natural skin to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays. Sunburn appears as a red, painful swelling on the skin. Sometimes sunburn causes skin blistering in severe cases causing uneven skin tone.
Other Conditions - Uneven skin tone can happen in certain conditions like rosacea and dermatitis.
How to Even the Skin Tone?
Uneven skin tone can be corrected by various methods. In some conditions, uneven skin tone will take its own time to appear normal. For example, hyperpigmentation due to pregnancy will be resolved within a year. The various other treatment modes to get an even skin tone are given below:
- Eliminating the cause of uneven skin tone.
- Treating underlying conditions such as psoriasis and acne.
- Excessive exposure to the sun can be reduced by using sunscreen.
- Medications including vitamin C, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, retinol, and Niacinamide are suggested to improve acne, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, scarring, melasma, and aging effects.
- Other forms of therapy include laser therapy, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels.
What Are the Foods to Eat for an even skin tone?
Some foods are beneficial to the epidermis. A healthy epidermis is achieved from hydrated foods, foods rich in essential free fatty acids, vitamins, and certain minerals. Some of the foods to consume for healthy skin are listed below.
- Fish rich in omega-3 fats -salmon, herring, and mackerel
- Avocados.
- Walnuts are -a source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
- Sunflower seeds-source of antioxidant vitamin E.
- Sweet potatoes.
- Kiwi fruits.
- Beta carotene is rich in carotenoids, vegetables-carrot, and spinach.
- Red or yellow bell peppers.
- Broccoli - contains zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
- Tomatoes-source of vitamin C and carotenoids lie in lycopene.
- Soybeans increase skin elasticity.
- Dark chocolates.
- Green tea protects from cell damage and aging.
- Red grapes.
- Pomegranates.
- Collagen peptides.
Conclusion:
Skincare is the major cosmetic concern followed by most individuals. Uneven skin tone can occur for a variety of reasons. An even skin tone can be achieved with a proper skincare routine. Skincare routine must include sun protective measures and other skin care methods like regular cleansing and washing. Sun protective measures, a healthy diet, and skin therapies are followed to avoid the risks of uneven skin tone.
