Health News / May 2007
Toned and Screened
Women spend hours stressing over even the most barely discernible flaws, but uneven skin tone is the first thing they notice in the mirror and can be a source of daily dismay. Uneven skin tone occurs for many reasons. The most common causes are the uneven build up of melanin and the lack of sebum production.
Melanin is the substance that results in pigmentation, or coloration, of skin cells. Some parts of the skin simply have more melanin than others. So when exposed to sunlight, the more dense areas of melanin become darker than the surrounding skin. Areas with less melanin or less exposure to sun, remain lighter. Patches with the most melanin can darken considerably when compared to areas with less melanin, giving skin an uneven appearance. Sometimes these darker patches are due to a combination of sun exposure and hormone levels. The rise in hormones can be caused by pregnancy or by the use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. Skin tone can also become uneven due to acne or trauma, like a bump or cut. As women age, they may find their skin tone gradually becoming uneven.
Exfoliation is the usual solution. Removing surface cells, by applying a chemical lotion or cream or by gentle manual scrubbing with a light abrasive scrub, particularly to the darkest areas and those with the most contact with sunlight, will help develop a more even skin tone. Exfoliation will help shed the darkened, superficial cells and expose new, undamaged cells. Glycolic Acid is the most recommended product for mild chemical exfoliation. Women can choose from a variety of commercial scrubs or dab their wash cloth in baking soda or sugar for nightly ablutions.
Oily skin has a tendency to produce very little sebum, the cellular ‘glue’ that binds the skin together. As dead skin cells slough off, they tend to solidify and adhere to the skin’s surface longer than normal. The result is uneven patches of skin tone.
Gentle, manual exfoliating and light scrubs can be helpful. Without regular exfoliation, sometimes the patches can ultimately cause the underlying surface skin to harden and crack. Daily cleansing and regular exfoliation will keep skin looking healthy and help maintain a more even skin tone.
Using a lighter foundation all over is often a woman’s first, but not best, choice. It’s much easier to deepen skin tone with foundation than to lighten it. Applying light foundation on darker skin tends to give an ashen, unnatural look. Plus, the lighter color rarely blends into the neck area properly, giving the illusion of a facial mask.
One make up technique is to purchase two foundations. A “spotlight” effect can be created that draws attention to the center of the face. The lighter foundation is used as a highlight toward the center of the face. The darker shade is used as contour around the edges. Another option, easier for every day, is to choose a shade that matches the neck. The center of the face will look deeper in tone and the all-over appearance will be even.
Brown spots, although there are many different kinds, are another kind of uneven skin tone that can be caused by an interaction of sunlight and estrogen. The spots can be a problem for women using oral contraceptives, which increase hormone levels, and are also seen during and after pregnancy for the same reason.
Some research has indicated that glucosamine may be helpful in reducing the amount of melanin in skin cells, resulting in less pigment in the skin to cause age spots.
Glucosamine is a natural, amino sugar extracted from the tissues of crab, shrimp, and lobster, and comes in many forms. Some forms show promising results in treating hyperpigmentation and possibly even UV ray damage. Other forms are used in aiding the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis. One study demonstrated that oral glucosamine may reduce fine lines and wrinkles, but did not hydrate the skin in the way that cream applications did.
Vitamin C supplementation is also sometimes recommended to encourage even skin tone.
Sun exposure stimulates pigment production, so protection from the sun is essential in reducing and preventing skin pigmentation changes. In addition to regular skin care, women should always protect their skin with a sunscreen of SPF15 or higher.
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