It is easy to confuse all types of dark patches, darker skin, or persistent marks as the same thing. But they could be two different skin concerns, pigmentation and tanning, and they're not the same. They might seem similar at first glance, but the cause, presentation and approach to treatment can be distinct.
Tanning is typically a temporary brown discolouration from exposure to the sun. Pigmentation can be a skin issue that is caused by an excess or imbalance of melanin and can occur for a number of reasons, such as sun damage, acne marks, hormones and inflammation.
What Is Pigmentation?
Pigmentation is a change in the colour of your skin due to a melanin imbalance. Melanin is a pigment that gives your skin, hair, and eyes their colour. When melanin is produced in excess, it leads to dark patches and uneven skin tone.
Types of Pigmentation
There are different types of pigmentation, and understanding them can help you deal with them.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is the name given to patches of skin that are darker than your own skin colour, due to the production of melanin pigment.
Post-Inflammatory Pigmentation
Post inflammatory pigmentation occurs when the skin has faced some type of trauma in the past, like acne, mosquito bites, rashes, burns, etc.
Melasma
Melasma is a deeper form of pigmentation that looks like symmetrical brown or grey brown patches on the face. It is mainly caused by a hormonal imbalance.
Hypopigmentation
Hypopigmentation is a loss of pigment in patches of the skin, making it lighter in colour than the rest of the skin.
What is Tanning?
Skin tanning is a defence against ultraviolet (UV) light. When exposed to the sun, the skin produces more melanin to protect itself from sun damage. This results in a darker skin tone.
Types of Tanning
Immediate Tanning
The tanning that occurs within minutes of sun exposure, it is temporary.
Delayed Tanning
When skin produces more melanin after sun exposure to protect the skin for the future, it is called delayed tanning.
Persistent Tanning
When the skin is exposed to the sun again and again without sun protection, it is called persistent tanning. It gets darker over time
Causes of Pigmentation
There are several causes of pigmentation, and in many cases, more than one factor is involved in pigmentation. Some of the common causes are:
Sun Exposure
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are a common cause of pigmentation. Exposure to sunlight can increase the production of melanin, which can cause the skin to look blotchy and dark patches to form.
Acne and Breakouts
Pimples, cystic acne, and regular breakouts can cause inflammation that leads to marks once the skin has healed.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes can cause pigmentation, such as melasma. This is often observed during pregnancy, when using oral contraceptives, or with hormone replacement.
Genetics
The tendency to develop pigmentation can be genetically inherited. If you have a family history of pigmentation problems, your skin may be more sensitive to pigmentation triggers like sun damage, acne, and inflammation.
Aging
As skin ages, years of cumulative sun exposure can start showing up as uneven tone, dark spots, or sunspots.
Common Causes of Skin Tanning
People wonder, “What causes a tan?" Skin tanning is mainly caused by sun exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Sunlight causes the body to produce more melanin. This additional melanin provides a protective layer against further damage from UV rays and results in a darker skin colour.
How to tell what you have
It May Be Tanning If:
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Recent Sun Exposure: If you feel your skin has darkened after a holiday, sports or travelling, it may be tanning.
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Even darkness: Tanning will make the skin darker all over, not in specific patches.
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Improves Gradually: If the darkness begins to fade as you stay indoors more, apply sunscreen every day and cleanse your skin properly, it may be a tan.
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Appears on Sun-Exposed Areas: Tanning generally occurs on sun-exposed parts of the body.
It May Be Pigmentation If:
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Dark Spots or Patches: Pigmentation may look like dark patches, localised areas, or blotchy patches instead of an even tan.
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Lasts a Long Time: Pigmentation may be the cause if the discolouration lasts for weeks or months without improvement.
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Appeared After Acne, Irritation: Discolouration that occurs after pimples, waxing, rashes, burns, picking or irritation is post inflammatory pigmentation.
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Uneven Skin Tone: Pigmentation causes contrast in the skin - some areas are darker than others.
How to Remove Tan and Pigmentation From Face
1. Wear Sunscreen Daily
Skin brightening can't be done without protection from the sun. Select a sunscreen for your skin type. For normal and dry skin sunscreen choose a sunscreen that is moisturising as well as protective.
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For oily or combination skin sunscreen an oil free gel sunscreen is ideal.
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For sensitive skin, use a skin-friendly and mineral based sunscreen. For the body, a spray sunscreen is best as it is light and absorbs quickly.
2. Use serums that target pigmentation
You can use certain ingredients, such as vitamin C and niacinamide, to lighten and even out your skin tone. A vitamin C serum can help with dullness and environmental stress, while a niacinamide serum is a good option for oil balance and uneven tone.
3. Be Patient
Tanning might come and go, but pigmentation can take some time to heal.
Final Thoughts
Tanning and pigmentation can look alike, but are not the same. Tanning is a temporary condition and is easily reversible. Pigmentation, on the other hand, is a permanent condition that is hard to reverse. Using products that help with pigmentation helps in dealing with it.
FAQ’s on Pigmentation vs Tanning
1. How to know if I have tan or pigmentation?
Ans. A tan will look like an overall brown colour to the skin after exposure to the sun, usually on the face, neck and arms. Pigmentation can be uneven, in patches or spots and can last longer than a tan.
2. Does tanning cause pigmentation?
Ans. Tanning can cause pigmentation. It occurs due to exposure to UV light, which tricks the skin into producing more melanin (colour), darkening pigmentation. This can be avoided by using sun protection every day.
3. Is pigmentation darker?
Ans. Yes, hyperpigmentation can darken the skin. This can be in patches, blemishes, pimples or blotchy skin.
4. How do I know if my skin is tanned?
Ans. If you notice your skin has darkened after a holiday, being outdoors, or after time in the sun, you may have tanned. The face, back of the hands, arms and feet are most commonly affected.