Treating Uneven Skin Tone (My Experience)

Yeah you read right ‘Treating Uneven Skin Tone’. My skin/ face may not appear uneven in photographs (I choose 1 after 100 clicks) but it really has quite bit of discoloration.

I never used a sunscreen during my teen years or until I turned 22/ 23. Those days “Sunscreen” term was not famous/ known. When I heard about them , I never liked using it, because they create a white cast/ film on the skin. But due to that small inconvenience my facial skin developed pigmentation/ uneven patches. I had started to follow a skincare regime and have seen noticeable results. My skin is less uneven and dry. It looks well fed but yes whenever I step out in sun my skin turns dark at certain areas like Forehead, around my mouth.

I was planning to visit a dermatologist and all the plans took a back seat when I got pregnant in 2011. Pregnancy also took its toll on me and made my skin even more drier, patchy, and my upper lip pigmented/ dark.

My bestie told me about a dermatologist (in rohtak, Haryana) she is visiting for laser hair reduction. I wasn’t much keen on laser hair reduction but then she told me that same doctor has helped her mom in getting rid of hyper pigmentation. My friend knew how much darkness around my mouth bothers me (she went to MAC store with me the other day and realised how much conscious i was of the darkness, since it gets prominent after applying dark lipsticks)

My friend had her next appointment scheduled on 1st June and she insisted me to go with her and visit the doctor once. I met the doctor, she heard all the issues patiently.

My Issues –

  1. Uneven skintone specially around my mouth, forehead and around my eyes.
  2. Adult Acne along my jawline.
  3. Acne on my shoulder (due to which I avoid wearing sleeveless dresses)

Her Observations

  1. Skin darkness caused by exposure to UV rays.
  2. Skin dryness due to ageing (I am 30) and hormonal changes (May be due to pregnancy)
  3. Adult Acne (acne after 25 years of age are called adult acne) due to hormonal issues.

What she advised me to do –

  1. handed me over skincare products to be used now onwards (Gladly none of them is expensive)
  2. I don’t have to undergo chemical peeling and as per her these products will help me to get rid of tan/ sun damage. She would like me to use them for a month.
  3. Change in eating habits. Consuming all bright coloured fruits and lots of green vegetables.
  4. Drink at least 10 glass of water and in case I run around too much, 15 glass.
  5. Wear a sunscreen preferable gel based which doesn’t form a layer on my skin + provides sun protection. Even if I am at home I should wear it from 9am to 1 pm or if possible until evening and reapply every 4 hours. Even TV, Laptop, Lights emit UV rays !
  6. Cover my exposed parts with a cotton cloth while stepping out in sun. Any cloth which you can see through, wouldn’t help. So make sure the cloth is not sheer.

My current skin (Mugshot 😉 )

DSC09662

Can you see darkness around my mouth and forehead, or all the areas except my cheeks are dark.

DSC09664

What all products I have to use and how (night time routine)

1. Wash face with Sebamed Cleansing Foam (Rs 650)Sebamed face washApply a mix of Glyco A (Glycolic Acid Cream 12% w/w) and Dremz Ultra in the ratio of 1:2, leave them on for 2 hours and wash off with water. (Glyco A Rs 161, Dremz Ultra Rs 175)Glyco-AApply Supatret C on Acne and wait for 30 minutes before washing it off with water. I have to apply it on acne on my shoulder and leave it overnight.DSC09672Lastly Elovera IMF Cream as a night cream. It has hyaluronic Acid which will combat dryness.DSC09674For morning I have to use Sebamed Cleansing foam and AnSolar Gel Cream (SPF 30)Ansolar sunscreenAnSolar Sunscreen feels almost like a face primer 🙂 Its non greasy and non drying.

I have to re visit the doctor next month, based on the results she will suggest treatments. As far as laser hair reduction is concerned I have got one round done for my underarms. I will get my upper lips done in my next visit. The doctor’s assistant kept on saying that its not laser hair removal its hair reduction.

That’s all for now and I will post my picture after 1 month of using these products. I can wear makeup etc but have to make sure its non-comedogenic.

Disclaimer : This post is for information purpose only, none of the products above should be used without consulting the doctor. We all have different skin types/ issues and that’s where the treatment changes too.

14 Comments

  • June 2, 2013

    Parita

    I have been using sebamed clear face cleansing foam since last 2 years and trust me it works wonders! i have suggested it to so many of my friends n readers and always got positive feedback..it is one of the best face washes!
    I am using Glyco-A as well since last 2 months and can tell you it does work though it will take some time to show results..minimum 2 to 3 months but with regular using it does work on acne and lightening spots..m yet to see much difference in my hyper pigmentation but hoping for the best!
    Parita recently posted…Palak Kadhi (Spinach cooked in yogurt gravy)

    • June 2, 2013

      ashwitha

      i bought avene cleansing gel on ur recco and loving it 🙂 currently waiting for ur lactic acid peels post 🙂

  • June 2, 2013

    ashwitha

    hoping to see reviews on the sunscreen and the night cream 🙂

    • June 3, 2013

      Shalini

      Sure Ashwita, I will do a updated on after a month

  • June 3, 2013

    Parita

    Hey Shalini..how are you finding Dremz cream? would love to know your review on that 🙂 thank you!
    Parita recently posted…Clarisonic Mia – Is is worth the hype?

    • June 3, 2013

      Shalini

      Parita Doc said Dermz Cream will lighten up the spots

  • June 3, 2013

    Aarthi

    Now that motivates me to visit my dermatologist too.. I have been delaying it for more than a year !!
    Aarthi recently posted…Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour 95 Enjouee : Review, Swatch, LOTD

    • June 3, 2013

      Shalini

      I too realized it only after visiting one … lets see how it goes 🙂

  • June 3, 2013

    Rubee

    Hi Shalini, I’m pregnant & have started to notice pigmentation around the forhead & cheeks, also acne on the forhead! Would you suggest I wait until the delivery to visit the derma & try the products, because I read somewhere some of the creams contain retinol & are not good to use when pregnant! Or do any of the readers who are pregnant have any idea about how to deal with this?

    • June 3, 2013

      Shalini

      No I wouldn’t suggest you to perform this when you are pregnant.

  • June 3, 2013

    shweta

    I love glyco a n kajoic acid .. I too have used that cream. Its actually very good but that packaging was somehow very inconvenient for me 😛
    shweta recently posted…Product Review : Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine Lip Glosses, 30 One Shine Day