Uneven skin tone and dark spots: they’re incredibly common and incredibly obnoxious. But what causes them in the first place, and how can you get rid of them?

What Causes Uneven Skin Tone and Dark Spots?

Uneven skin tone can have many causes, but for most people, the causes of the dark spots on skin known as hyperpigmentation or melasma (muh-LAZ-muh) are sun exposure and hormones.

Hyperpigmentation is an “umbrella” category that simply means too much color is being produced in your skin. Hyperpigmentation can present itself as freckles, age spots, and dark spots left behind from acne blemishes or melasma.

Melasma causes brown or brown-gray discoloration on the face, arms, and neck. You’re most likely to get it on your cheeks, forehead, between your upper lip, nose, and on the bridge of your nose.

Can I Prevent Dark Spots from Appearing? Can Dark Spots Be Treated Non-Invasively?

1. First and foremost sun protection is a must. To prevent melasma and minimize it, apply sunscreen daily (even on cloudy days) and wear appropriate clothing to prevent dark spots from forming and worsening. We recommend SkinMedica’s TOTAL DEFENSE + REPAIR. We love this stuff because it defends against UV and infrared rays, while restoring the skin with antioxidants.
2. Choose gentle products to integrate into your daily routine. Your products shouldn’t sting or burn in order to be effective. In fact, this can irritate the skin and worsen dark spots. SkinMedica’s GRASS Regimen is a powerful, yet gentle line of products created to help heal the skin and diminish spots. Lytera® Skin Brightening is also a remarkably effective treatment for many patients and results can be seen in as few as four weeks!
3. Skip waxing. Waxing can cause inflammation and skin irritation, which will agitate melasma. Again, pain is not an indication that something is “worth it”.  Some patients may consider Painless Laser Hair Removal as an alternative to waxing; however, we will certainly help guide you in the right direction with a consultation.

If you’re suffering from embarrassing dark spots, or melasma, call us at 808-528-0888 with any questions or to schedule a free consultation! We can help you get to the root of the issue and get you on a path to smooth, even skin just through a few simple, painless changes to your skincare regimen!

And, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram,Pinterest, Twitter, and Yelp, or sign up for our newsletter for more skincare secrets!