How to Fix Uneven and Blotchy Skin

Blotchy skin can make your skin dull and tired due to patches of discolored skin. A number of factors could cause this and figuring out the reasons and triggers for blotchiness can help you treat or manage the issue.

Continue reading as we list the things that could be causing splotchy red skin and what you can do to protect your skin and soothe your complexion. 

What is blotchy skin?

Usually appearing as an uneven skin tone, blotchiness causes your skin to develop red, white, or brown patches with dilated or broken blood vessels. And depending on the underlying cause, there may also be bumps, dryness, or scaly skin. This can be due to a number of factors including heredity, skin conditions, and sun exposure. 

What are the causes of blotchy skin? 

Here are several things that can cause your skin to become blotchy and the things you can do to clear and calm your skin. 

Overexposure to the sun

The UV rays in the sun can damage the skin and accelerate aging, especially with prolonged and unprotected exposure. Apart from sunburn, too much sun can also cause red and blotchy skin, as well as increase your risk of skin cancer. It can also speed up the breakdown of collagen and elastin and worsen existing dark spots and wrinkles. 

What you can do: Practice sun protection by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day regardless of the weather. Wear protective clothing, as well as sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when going out. You should also limit sun exposure, particularly during peak hours, between 10 am and 4 pm.  

For further reading: Sun Protection: Dos and Don’ts

Rosacea

Characterized by persistent facial redness, rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease that can make your skin blush more easily than others. The symptoms or intensity vary depending on the subtype of rosacea you have or the severity of your condition. Common signs and symptoms include: 

• Persistent flushing
• Spider veins (telangiectasia) or broken blood vessels
• Thickened skin 
• Small papules and pimples
• Sensitive or easily irritated skin
• Swelling around the eyes, forehead, and cheeks

What you can do: Managing your symptoms can go a long way. This starts with knowing and avoiding your triggers, which vary from person to person. Easing stress can also help, as well as prioritizing sun protection and treating rosacea. At Cutis, we have our Rosacea Treatment Package, which features light-based procedures that can address or improve different symptoms.

Exercising or overheating 

A sweat session is good for your mind and body, as it relieves stress, makes you feel good, and reduces your risk of diseases. It does, however, make your skin feel hot and causes both your temperature and heart rate to rise. It transports blood to the skin’s surface, causing a flushed or red face, which is more noticeable if you’re fair-skinned.

What you can do: As you cool down, the redness or flushing in your face will subside and eventually go away. Using a cold compress or applying a cold washcloth to your face after working out can help reduce redness. The same is also true for splashing your face with some water during your workout break.

For further reading: Before, During, and After a Workout: How to Protect Your Skin

Exposure to cold

Cold weather causes the blood vessels in your skin to narrow to reduce heat loss from your body. This can change your skin’s appearance, causing red, rough, or patchy skin. Cold weather, furthermore, reduces the moisture levels in your skin, compromising the skin barrier and making it more susceptible to irritation.

Blotchy skin in cold climates, however, can also be due to hives or cold urticaria. It causes the skin to have itchy welts that look red and blotchy within minutes following cold exposure. Signs vary widely; some experience minor reactions while others have severe or persisting symptoms. 

What you can do: Nourish and hydrate your skin with oils, creams, or moisturizers. It is also important to protect your hands every time you go outside during cold weather. And if you have intense reactions to cold temperatures, see a doctor to find out if you have cold urticaria.

Alcohol 

A night of drinking can cause your skin to feel dry and tight with a dull and lackluster complexion. It increases the blood flow to your skin and inflames your skin tissues, resulting in a histamine response that creates flushing. And if drinking is a habit of yours, this inflamed appearance can become more prominent over time. 

For further reading: Take it Easy on the Booze: How Alcohol Affects Your Skin

What you can do: Drink in moderation and take note of the types of alcohol that can make you blush more. Minimizing alcohol’s diuretic effect by drinking it with water can also help. You can also decide to quit drinking if you don’t want to experience blotchy skin or any other side effects of alcohol.

Allergies and other skin conditions

Red, blotchy skin is a common symptom of allergies, which could be due to a number of things including food, medication, or even cleaning products. Certain skin conditions can also cause blotchiness, such as: 

• Hives 
• Eczema
• Contact dermatitis 
• Melasma
• Acne

What you can do: If you think you have an allergy, see your healthcare provider to confirm this and give you recommendations for managing it. For other skin conditions, treating them can help prevent the occurrence of blotchy skin. Your doctor may recommend topical treatments or even in-office procedures to brighten your complexion. 

Aesthetic treatments for blotchy skin or uneven skin tone

At Cutis, we have several treatments that can reduce redness, blotchy skin, and associated symptoms. These include: 

• Limelight Photo Facial – uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to improve tiny facial veins, facial redness, pigmentation, sun damage, and signs of aging.
• Laser Vein Reduction – uses laser energy to treat broken blood vessels in the face by redirecting blood flow to the vein beneath the surface of the skin.
• Laser Skin Rejuvenation – uses laser energy to stimulate new collagen. It can improve enlarged pores, facial redness and veins, scarring, pigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles.
• Dermamelan – is a medical-grade depigmenting treatment that can lighten pigmentation and regulate the overproduction of melanin to prevent reformation. It can treat different types of hyperpigmentation, including melasma, sunspots, and blotchy skin. 
• VI Peel Precision Plus – is a type of chemical peel formulated for treating sun damage, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It can penetrate damaged areas, promote rapid cell turnover, and inhibit melanogenesis or the process of producing pigment.

Other things that can help soothe skin

• Wash your face at least twice a day and after working out with a gentle face cleanser.
• Always moisturize with a fragrance-free formula. 
• Avoid hot activities such as sauna or hot yoga or use a water spritz to cool your skin. 
• Avoid over-exfoliating or using abrasives and harsh exfoliants. 
• Try an aloe vera mask, which is helpful in reducing redness and irritation. 

Don’t let blotchy skin make you look tired and older. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors to learn more about your treatment options.