What makes your skin darker?

Why does the sun make skin darker?

UVA rays trigger your skin to make more melanin as it tries to protect itself from further damage. That produces a tan, which is a sign of skin damage, not better health. Repeated UV exposure also causes dark spots, early skin aging and skin cancer. Tanning beds expose skin to UV too; a salon 'base tan' does not prevent sunburn. You still get sun exposure on cloudy days and in the shade.45

What causes darker spots and patches?

In medium to dark skin tones, inflammation or injury can trigger extra melanin. The marks left after inflammation are called postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. They can appear after pimples, eczema or psoriasis, or as cuts, burns and insect bites heal. Irritating skin or hair products can cause dark spots too. Treating the underlying condition and stopping irritation helps prevent new marks.1

Melasma causes darker patches when pigment making cells become more active. Sun exposure, pregnancy, stress, medical conditions and medicines such as oral contraceptive pills can trigger it. Visible light can worsen melasma, especially in darker skin tones. Melasma sometimes clears on its own but can last for years.2

How do you stop unwanted darkening?

• Use water resistant, broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher on uncovered skin every day. Broad spectrum means protection against UVA and UVB. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
• For melasma or dark spots, choose tinted sunscreen containing iron oxide to protect against visible light as well. Seek shade and wear a wide brimmed hat.
• Use gentle, fragrance free skincare. Stop using a skincare product if it burns or stings.
• If you suspect a medicine is causing darkening, ask the prescribing doctor about it. Do not stop the medicine yourself.

Once the cause stops, a spot a few shades darker than your natural skin color usually fades within 6 to 12 months. Deeper pigment can take years. See a dermatologist if dark patches persist or treatment is not helping. Check your skin monthly and have new or changing spots or moles examined.14

How can you make your skin darker naturally?

Sunlight can darken skin, but there is no safe UV tan. For a darker appearance without UV tanning, use sunless tanner or bronzer. Most self tanners use DHA, a coloring ingredient that reacts with the outermost dead skin cells; the result usually lasts several days. Bronzer gives temporary color that washes off, which makes it makeup rather than a long term commitment.367

1. 1Follow the self tanner label. Exfoliate first so thick, dry areas do not take up extra color.
2. 2Let skin dry for at least 15 minutes, then apply a thin, even layer.
3. 3Wash your hands immediately and wait another 15 minutes before dressing.

Keep DHA away from the eye area, lips and mucous membranes, and do not inhale tanning spray. Ask a spray salon how it protects these areas and prevents inhalation. Tanning pills are unsafe and are not FDA approved. Artificial color itself offers no sun protection; keep using sunscreen and protective clothing.67