The importance of tonality

How often have you seen Kate Hudson on the red carpet and  wondered if you can ever have a skin tone as glowing and healthy as hers? Having an uneven skin tan is a nightmare as it makes you conscious and affects what you wear.  The body has different colours of tan depending on the differential amounts of sun protection that is applied on the body. The simple ways to protect ourselves from such an uneven skin tone starts from covering our exposed body parts with gloves, scarfs, full sleeve clothes when we face the sun, to going for some remedies that might not be as simple as this.

Magical Serums: Topical Vitamin C serums can be applied twice daily to lighten already existing uneven skin tan. Even Vitamin C based masks can be applied atleast twice weekly to lighten the tan. Vitamin C is an excellent anti-oxidant and helps in rejuvenating the underlying skin. Oral antioxidant supplements consumed once daily act as oral sunscreen and are milder form of sun protection.

Effective Peeling: Once you notice different shades of tan, you will have to visit your dermatologist for sessions of chemical peeling. These are AHA (alpha hydroxyl acids) peels which are derived from natural sources like glycolic acid. It is derived from sugarcane extract. You may have to repeat four to five sessions to even up the skin and lighten the tan. These sessions can also be coupled with alternative sessions of tan lightening packs which can be customised by your dermatologist.

Worthy Mask: Oxygen infusion and Vitamin C serum infusion systems are available with leading dermatologist which may be helpful to revive the glow in the skin and finally a reduction in tan. More vigorous treatments like a deep-pigmentation mask can be applied only under the supervision of a dermatologist. These masks cause significant peeling and gives birth to a new and evenly toned skin colour and texture.

DIY: Homemade therapies also lighten uneven tan. An age-old home-made scrub is made of gram flour (besan) and milk, is applied all over the body and rubbed till it dries up and peels off. This is a very soft form of tan removal technique. You can also mix turmeric powder, sugar and little honey and rub it all over skin till the sugar melts completely. This acts to abrade the superficial layer of the skin and lightens the tan.

Saviour Sunscreen: There are various sunscreen lotions available in the market but one with minimum SPF 30 should be applied atleast 30 minutes before we move out into the sun, and preferably repeated every three hours for effective sun protection. Sunscreen lotions form a layer over the skin and reduces the exposure of ultraviolet rays.  

The writer is a dermatologist and the director of a skincare clinic.