Many people are concerned about having an uneven skin tone. Of course, everyone has a different skin type but your skin gets its color from a pigment called melanin. When the cells that make melanin become damaged (particularly sun induced), melanin production is affected, sometimes leading to excess pigmentation disorders that affect either some or all of your skin. Your body can make too much melanin or too little melanin. Some factors that can impact your skin coloring include sun exposure, Addison’s disease, Vitiligo, infections, blisters, burns and even pregnancy. As your skin ages, you may notice wrinkles, dryness, age spots and thinness. One major cause of aged skin is sun exposure. To help protect yourself from sun exposure and sun damage, use sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher, wear protective clothing and stay away from the sun when it is strongest (usually in the middle of the day). This will help prevent skin damage in the long-run. Also, tanning beds can contribute to damaged/aged skin.
Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your skin tone or questions about potential treatment options, which could include chemical peels, topical skin care, or laser treatments.
