Uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation is when patches of skin become darker than the surrounding skin.

Sun exposure can cause an increase in skin pigment (melanin) either in the top layer of the skin or in the deeper layers of the skin. Pigments in the deeper layers are more difficult to treat. At PryorHealth in Rockford uneven skin tone treatment options are available that can help in improving the condition to a very large extent.

While hyperpigmentation can occur in any skin tone, in people with brown or olive skin tones, the presence of high levels of melanin can make the issue of uneven skin tone more prominent. In a lot of cases, treating hyperpigmentation can lead to an actual worsening of the condition – unless you are being treated by an expert.

At PryorHealth, we have a team of highly experienced dermatologists and skincare professionals who have years of expertise in treating the issue of uneven skin tone. So, if you are looking for the best providers of uneven skin tone treatment Rockford has to offer, then give us a call or visit us at PryorHealth today!

The Best Treatments for Uneven Skin Tone

There are a number of treatment options available that can help resolve hyperpigmentation. The process, however, can take several treatment sessions – and in most cases, it may require routine maintenance treatment sessions to maintain results.

The basic treatment approach includes boosting the cell turnover by getting rid of older or top layers of the skin and allowing pigment trapped in the deeper layers to come to the surface and slowly fade away.

Chemical Peels

Price Range $100 - $1,000

Recovery Time 1 - 2 Weeks

A chemical peel is a non-surgical treatment option that uses exfoliating acids to first remove the top layers of old and dead skin cells which are then replaced by new layers of healthy skin. The most common Chemical Peels Skin are Glycolic peels, TCA peels, and phenol peels.

The treatment is performed by an aesthetician or dermatologist in the office. Patients might also be recommended Cosmelan – a skin-care treatment option that uses a chemical peel (performed in-office) along with the application of a lightening cream (can be done at home) for treating hyperpigmentation.

In the first week or two, your skin will flake and peel. You can expect results to continue to improve for three months post-treatment. The average cost for one chemical peel session sits at $375 – based on the severity of your condition, you may be advised multiple peels for optimal results.

Chemical Peels

Laser Resurfacing

Price Range $1,000 - $3,000

Recovery Time 1 - 2 Weeks

In laser skin resurfacing an intense beam of laser light is used to effectively remove the top layers of the skin – this allows new skin layers to form and replace the older pigmented layers. Different types of laser resurfacing skin treatment including Clear + Brilliant, Fraxel, Halo, or CO2 laser treatment will be recommended based on two factors - the cause of your hyperpigmentation and the skin type of the patient.

With deeper laser resurfacing skin, the recovery period might be longer, however, it also provides the best results. If an ablative laser is used, it will remove the superficial skin layers. While in non-ablative laser treatment, the lower layers are targeted while the superficial layers are left intact.

Each laser resurfacing skin treatment is priced at $2,300 – you may be recommended multiple treatments for optimal results. The type of laser treatment used will decide the kind of downtime required. You can expect a recovery time of around 10 days with laser resurfacing skin.

Laser Resurfacing

OTC Treatment for Uneven Skin Tone

There are a number of topical brightening and exfoliating skincare products made with active ingredients that can effectively improve your hyperpigmentation over time. Consider the following. Serums and moisturizers with niacinamide (a vitamin B3 derivative) work to effectively prevent pigment granules from forming in skin cells in the skin.

Additionally, Azelaic acid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), as well as licorice root extract have also proven to be effective in addressing hyperpigmentation. These ingredients work by interrupting the enzyme (tyrosinase) which is a catalyst for triggering the production of melanin.

Acids such as alpha-hydroxy acids, lactic, and glycolic acid present in CHEMICAL PEELS Skin used by an aesthetician or dermatologist can also be bought at a pharmacy. And while these acids come in weaker concentrations, they are effective.

What Causes Uneven Skin Tone?

Internal factors such as acne, stress, hormonal fluctuations, and external factors such as sun damage can lead to the skin developing dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Inflammation and tissue damage which happens due to skin breaking-out (acne, pimples) can lead to an increase in pigment production in a process called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

PIH can also be caused anytime the skin is irritated due to other conditions such as an allergic reaction, psoriasis, dermatitis, or eczema. You should also know that cosmetic treatments which include laser and CHEMICAL PEELS Skin can also lead to an inflammatory response – which is why in people with darker skin tones, there is always a risk of hyperpigmentation becoming worse.

Sometimes, an underlying medical condition (thyroid or lupus), stress, and hormonal fluctuations lead to hyperpigmentation and the condition can present via brown or gray patches of skin commonly referred to as melasma or chloasma. Melasma in a lot of cases cannot be effectively treated since the pigment occurs in the deeper layers of the skin. The condition is more common in women – especially in pregnant women. Furthermore, hormonal replacement medications and birth control pills can also trigger Melasma.

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