Struggling with dullness? Dermatologists reveal how to reverse sallow skin
No matter how much attention you give your complexion, issues can pop up over the years. Common concerns like fine lines can be corrected with the best wrinkle fillers, the hormonal acne that can typically happen to your skin during menopause has a number of easy solutions, and hyperpigmentation can be sent packing by the best age spot removers. But there's on skin issue that's less discussed, and may take a bit more effort to eradicate: sallowness. “This term is commonly used to describe skin that has a yellowish or even brownish appearance,” says board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engleman, MD.
Meet the experts: Dendy Engleman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Hadley King, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist also based in New York City.
It's one of those skin concerns that you may not know as much about, or how to correct. Thankfully, WH tapped two dermatologists to get to the bottom of sallowness, including what causes it, how to prevent it, and how to remedy it.
Keep reading to learn all of their expert tips.
What is sallow skin?
If you’ve ever taken a glance in the mirror to find that your skin has a yellow or brown tint, you may be dealing with sallow skin due to a process called glycosylation, explains Dr. Engleman. “As we age, chains of sugar molecules attach to skin proteins and, over time, cause a yellowish hue," she says. This typically occurs in lighter skin and is connected to aging and continued sun exposure.
In people with pale or pink skin, sallow skin appears more yellow, says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. For those with olive skin tones, sallow skin may appear brown. (The condition is not commonly found in very dark skin tones.) Also important to note is that, in addition to the discoloration, sallow skin tends to be dry, flaky, and dull.
What causes sallow skin?
There are many reasons why you might notice sallow skin. Here are some of the most common culprits:
Natural aging
UVA and UVB exposure/ sun damage
Poor skincare habits
Vitamin deficiencies
Smoking
Poor diet
Dehydration
Stress
Genetics
There are also a variety of health conditions that may cause sallow skin. One of the most common causes is anoemia, Dr. Engelman says. According to the American Society of Hematology, iron-deficiency anoemia causes a lack of oxygen circulation to the rest of the body, including the skin, and can result in a pale complexion or dull, sallow skin that appears yellowish or brownish.
Can sallow skin be prevented?
According to Dr. King, preventing sallow skin comes down to practicing generally good health habits such as:
Proper diet
Sleep
Adequate hydration
Staying away from smoking
Adopting a well-rounded skincare routine
Dr. Engelman suggests cleansing the skin daily and utilizing serums, eye creams, and moisturizers. Maintaining these healthy skin habits are the beginning steps of creating a solid skin care routine. Removing dirt, grime, and oil are essential for having bright, healthy skin. Dr. Engelman says that proper cleansing is so important that even if you only have five minutes, it should be your number-one priority.
Serums, eye creams, and moisturisers (that work with your skin type) help to target specific skin concerns and lock in moisture as a shield of protection for the skin. “Even if the skin does not seem dry, it still needs a moisturising layer of protection,” Dr. Engelman says. When you don't use moisturiser, it makes the skin barrier weaker and more vulnerable.
And most importantly, don’t skip sunscreen. No matter what the forecast is outside, if you’re going outdoors in any capacity, you need to slather on the SPF. “My main focus with sunscreen is to prevent sun damage that could turn into cancer or another fatal disease,” Dr. Engelman says. She recommends both chemical and physical sunscreens to ensure full protection. But even if you choose to opt for one over the other, the key is making sure to protect your complexion from harsh UVA and UVB rays.
Treatment options for sallow skin
There are ways to remedy sallow skin, if you think you may be dealing with the skin condition. In addition to the steps above, Dr. Engelman suggests exfoliating regularly. “Exfoliation does wonders for hyperpigmentation,” she says. “Chemical exfoliants, like AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, will help promote cellular turnover, removing scarred, discolored skin cells and revealing healthy ones.”
Dr. King agrees that exfoliation is key to reversing sallow skin, but she also recommends adding a retinoid to your evening skincare routine. Retinoids are powerhouses when it comes to addressing a slew of skincare concerns, including unclogging pores, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and increases cell turnover to help correct discoloration of the skin. Dr. King also notes that if you’ve tried all of the above without seeing any positive results, you should consider calling your dermatologist for a prescription-strength solution.
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