Winter is the best time to treat an uneven skin tone. The sun’s UV rays are one of the main causes of sun spots and melasma, and people tend to spend much less time in the sun during the winter than they do at other times of the year. Here are some tips on how to treat sun spots and brighten your skin this winter.
Sun spots are common in people with all skin tones. They can take the form of freckles or larger brown patches. The best way to avoid these spots is to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, year-round. Choose a sunscreen with physical sunblockers, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
You need sunscreen even if it is not a sunny day. As much as 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can pass through clouds. During the winter, reflective surfaces such as snow and ice can cause the sun’s rays to bounce back and hit your skin twice.
If you have acne, don’t pick at your pimples because that can cause scarring. Sun can also cause acne to darken and leave brown spots. This is another reason why you should wear sunscreen.
In order to target trouble spots, use a product with skin-lightening ingredients, such as vitamin C and niacin. This will reduce pigmentation and lighten dark spots.
Using a 10 percent glycoloic acid peel once or twice a week can help skin-lightening products penetrate your skin better because the acid will unclog your pores. Apply a thin layer of the peel to clean skin, leave it on for 10 minutes, splash your face with warm water, and pat your skin dry.
If you have more diffused pigmentation or melasma, you may need a prescription treatment. Your dermatologist may prescribe 4 percent hydroquinone, which can even out pigmentation better than over-the-counter products.
You can hide your dark spots as you work on lightening them. Use a luminous foundation with light-reflecting particles to detract from your uneven skin tone.
If none of these treatments works and your pigmentation bothers you, consult a dermatologist. He or she may recommend a trichloroacetic acid peel or laser treatment.