WHAT CAUSES
UNEVEN SKIN TONE?
By Dr Leslie Baumann
D
ark patches of skin, ‘age spots’, and
conditions like melasma are all exam-
ples of hyperpigmentation, or uneven
skin tone. If you struggle with these common
skin concerns, your skin could be genetically
predisposed to produce larger amounts of
melanin, the pigment that gives the skin its
colour. You also might have a history of sun
exposure, which is one of the largest causes of
dark spots on the skin.
Fortunately, understanding the underlying
causes of uneven skin tone and how to treat and
even prevent it can help you achieve a smooth,
healthy-looking complexion.
How is melanin made?
Melanin is produced within organelles called
melanosomes, which are housed inside special-
ised skin cells called melanocytes. All humans
have the same number of melanocytes, regard-
less of skin colour. However, the amount of
melanin that these melanocytes produce and
secrete can vary. That is why some people have
darker skin than others and also why some
people have ‘pigmented’ skin types that are
prone to dark spots and uneven skin tone.
Within the melanosomes, an enzyme called
tyrosinase catalyses the process of melanin pro-
duction. Once melanin is made, the melano-
somes transfer that pigment to keratinocytes,
which are other specialised skin cells located in
the epidermis of the skin. This process results
in the appearance of pigmentation on the surface
of your skin.
ISSUE #12 | 2019 | SkinHealthMagazine.com 34