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How to achieve your best skin tone

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AN uneven skin tone is irregular darkening of the skin. It can be frustrating and unsightly, often leading to a low self-esteem. But there are ways you can prevent an uneven skin tone.

WHAT IS AN UNEVEN SKIN TONE?

This is skin that is marked by discolorations, dark marks or blemishes on the face. The most common areas on the face are the forehead, cheeks, nose and lower chin.

CAUSES

Hormones

This mainly happens to pregnant women and they develop melasma, a condition in which brown patches appear on the face. It causes skin to go darker especially around the breast area.

Sun burn

This is the biggest cause of uneven skin tone. When your skin is exposed to too much sun, it tries to protect itself by producing excess melanin. Too much of this causes the skin to appear darker. Sun spots first appear then become blotches.

Harmful skin products

Many women use bleaching creams to lighten their skin. These creams, which are illegal without a doctor’s prescription, contain an ingredient called Hydroquinone, which is banned in South Africa as it has negative effects on the skin. These types of products have irreversible effects as they burn the skin on a deeper level.

Ageing

Also called age spots, this is a normal part of the skin. The skin is losing elasticity, melanin and its bright tone.

Health

Certain illnesses affect the skin first and cause it to discolour. This can be an advantage as it acts as a warning sign to get the problem checked out. 

THE MYTHS

¦ Uneven skin tone is caused by early sexual activity. This is far from the truth. There is no correlation between the two.

¦ It’s caused by lack of calcium. Your diet is essential for good skin, but lack of calcium doesn't cause discolouration.

¦ Its caused by harmful bugs such as mosquitoes. Bites form bugs will cause temporary inflammation which the body recovers from in a short while.

HOW TO GET EVEN SKIN TONE

Keep hydrated

Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. A hydrated skin is a happy skin.

Exfoliate

This removes dead skin cells and leaves the skin glowing and radiant. Make your own exfoliator at home by mixing oats and honey. Apply twice a week.

Don't pick your face

This irritates the skin and causes problems that were not there in the first place. Your hands are full of bacteria; this then turns into small dark spots which are made worse by the sun.

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