Even Tone Body Treatment Guide: Benefits, Options and How It Works

What is an Even Tone Body Treatment?

An even tone body treatment refers to a professional skincare treatment designed to:

• Reduce hyperpigmentation and age spots
• Improve skin texture and tone
• Minimize the appearance of varicose veins, stretch marks, and cellulite

These treatments target common concerns that can leave the skin looking uneven and blotchy on areas like the face, neck, chest, arms, and legs.

Even tone body treatments use a combination of exfoliating acids, brightening ingredients, and stimulating technology to reveal a more uniform complexion.

Common Issues Even Tone Treatments Target

Some of the specific concerns even tone body treatments address include:

• Hyperpigmentation - Dark spots caused by excess melanin production.
• Age spots - Skin discoloration due to sun exposure.
• Uneven skin texture - Rough or bumpy skin surface.
• Dullness - Lack of radiance, often from dead skin buildup.
• Varicose veins - Twisted, enlarged veins visible under the skin.

By improving the appearance of these issues that can make skin look uneven, even tone body treatments help restore a balanced, luminous complexion.

Benefits of Even Tone Body Treatments

Undergoing even tone body treatments provides many benefits for the appearance and health of your skin. Benefits include:

Diminished Appearance of Dark Spots and Discoloration

Key ingredients like hydroquinone, kojic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide within even tone treatments fade hyperpigmentation and brown spots to promote a more even skin tone.

Improved Texture and Smoothness

Alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic and lactic acid exfoliate the outer layers of the skin to diminish rough texture and reveal smoother, softer skin.

Brighter, More Radiant Complexion

Antioxidants and retinol in even tone treatments reduce dullness by increasing collagen production and skin cell turnover for enhanced brightness.

Minimized Appearance of Varicose Veins and Stretch Marks

Some even tone treatments use laser and light technologies to reduce the appearance of varicose veins and stretch marks on the body.

Increased Confidence

Enhancing your skin’s tone and texture can boost confidence in your appearance, especially during the summer months when more skin is visible.

How Do Even Tone Body Treatments Work?

Even tone body treatments improve the appearance of skin discoloration and texture through three key mechanisms:

1. Exfoliation

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid and lactic acid provide deep exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and even out skin texture. This enhances penetration of other treatment ingredients.

2. Lightening Agents

Ingredients like hydroquinone, kojic acid, vitamin C, and licorice extract work to inhibit melanin production in the skin to lighten areas of discoloration.

3. Increasing Cell Turnover

Retinol and antioxidants speed up the rate of cell renewal to quickly reveal newer, brighter, more even-toned skin.

Multiple sessions are usually needed for optimal results. Treatments are often spaced 2-4 weeks apart to allow the skin time to renew between applications.

Types of Even Tone Body Treatments

There are many different types of professional treatments available for improving body skin tone and texture. Some of the most popular include:

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels use glycolic, lactic, salicylic or trichloroacetic acid to intensely exfoliate and renew the skin. Medium-depth peels promote collagen production and are effective at reducing age spots and hyperpigmentation.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion uses a wand to spray fine crystals across the skin, providing deep exfoliation. This polishes away dull skin cells to reveal a brighter complexion.

Laser Treatments

Lasers like Q-switched ND:YAG penetrate the skin to break up excess pigment. This reduces the appearance of brown spots and age spots. Lasers can also diminish varicose veins and stretch marks.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

IPL uses a broad spectrum of light to target melanin and reduce hyperpigmentation and age spots. It also stimulates collagen to smooth fine lines and texture.

Radiofrequency Treatments

Radiofrequency uses electromagnetic waves to heat tissue and boost collagen. This firms and tightens skin for a smoother, more even appearance.

Chemical Exfoliating Facials

These facials use a customized blend of AHAs, BHAs and enzymes to exfoliate dead skin. This is followed by masks, serums and creams to nourish and even out the complexion.

What to Expect During an Even Tone Body Treatment

Here’s an overview of the typical even tone body treatment process:

• Cleansing and skin analysis
• Application of targeted serums and chemical exfoliants
• Massaging scrubs or masks into skin
• Carrying out technology treatments if applicable
• Applying creams or lotions tailored to your concerns
• Providing home care instructions

The aesthetician will customize the treatment based on your individual skin type and goals. Most even tone body treatments take 30 minutes to 1 hour from start to finish depending on the techniques used.

Do Even Tone Treatments Hurt?

Most even tone treatments do not hurt. You may experience some tingling or stinging during the application of chemical exfoliants like AHAs. Lasers and radiofrequency can feel warm. Your technician should thoroughly review sensations you may feel to keep you comfortable.

How Long Do Results of Even Tone Treatments Last?

With proper home skincare routine maintenance, results from even tone treatments can last several months to over one year. However, new areas of discoloration and damage can form over time requiring additional treatments.

It often takes a series of 4-6 sessions spaced 2-4 weeks apart to see optimal results. Maintenance is needed a few times per year to sustain even tone and texture.

Enhancing the Longevity of Results

You can help maintain results from your treatment and slow new damage by:

• Using at-home skin brightening products
• Applying recommended post-treatment creams
• Avoiding sun exposure or tanning beds
• Using SPF 30+ sunscreen on the body daily

Following provided instructions will keep your skin looking vibrant between treatments.

Who is a Good Candidate for Even Tone Body Treatments?

Even tone body treatments can improve the appearance of skin on many areas of the body. Good candidates include those with:

• Hyperpigmentation or age spots on body areas like arms, legs, and décolletage
• Skin redness and blotchiness they want to reduce
• Rough texture from dry skin or keratosis pilaris they want to smooth
• Enlarged pores, crepey skin, and other signs of aging
• Varicose veins and stretch marks they want to minimize the look of

Talk to your aesthetician to determine which even tone treatment is best for your particular concerns.

Who May Not be a Good Candidate?

The following factors may make you unsuitable for certain even tone body treatments:

• Active infection, rash, or open wounds on treatment area
• Severe sunburn or recent tanning
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding (for laser treatments)
• Use of photosensitizing medications
• History of keloid scarring

Discuss your medical history fully with your technician. They will assess if a treatment is safe for your individual circumstances.

How Much Do Even Tone Body Treatments Cost?

Costs for even tone body treatments can range from $100 to $600 per session depending on the specific technology and technician expertise needed. On average, expect to pay:

• Chemical peels: $150-$300
• Laser treatments: $200-$600
• Microdermabrasion: $100-$200
• Radiofrequency: $200-$400

Packages of multiple sessions are usually offered at a discounted rate. Treatments performed by plastic surgeons or dermatologists are more expensive.

Is Insurance Coverage Available?

Unfortunately, even tone body treatments are usually considered cosmetic rather than medically necessary. This means insurance does not cover the costs. However, you can pay using Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) if offered by your employer.

How to Choose the Right Even Tone Body Treatment

Consider the following factors when selecting an even tone body treatment:

Your Skin Type and Tone

Lighter skin tones may only need superficial peels while deeper peels work better on darker skin tones. Avoid lasers if you have very sensitive skin.

Areas Being Treated

Only certain treatments like IPL can treat issues on large surface areas like the legs. Lasers work well for precision targeting of spots.

Your Concerns and Goals

If you want to target aging like crepey skin, radiofrequency is a good option. For pigmentation, chemical peels and lasers are preferable.

Budget and Time Commitment

If budget is a factor, single chemical peel sessions might be best. If you want fast results, lasers work quicker but cost more per session.

Expertise of Technician

Make sure the person performing your treatment is very experienced with your particular skin type to minimize risks.

Discuss your individual situation with a dermatology or plastic surgery practice to decide which treatment is right for you.

How to Prepare for an Even Tone Body Treatment

To prep your skin for maximum results, be sure to:

• Avoid direct sun exposure or tanning for 2 weeks prior
• Discontinue retinol, glycolic acid and other strong actives 3 days before
• Stay well hydrated and eat nutritious foods for faster healing
• Arrive with clean skin free of lotions, makeup and perfumes
• Trim body hair if undergoing laser hair removal same day

Let your technician know ahead of time if you have any upcoming events, as you may experience light peeling for a few days after.

Risks and Side Effects of Even Tone Body Treatments

When performed correctly, even tone body treatments are safe for most individuals. However some potential side effects can occur.

Common risks include:

• Redness and irritation
• Temporary dry/flaky skin
• Darkening of pigmentation before lightening (in rare cases)
• Accentuated age spots if avoiding sun not followed

Severe risks like scarring and burns are very rare but can happen if improper settings or solutions are used.

Discuss your medical history fully with your technician and follow all pre/post care instructions to minimize risks.

Aftercare Tips for Even Tone Body Treatments

Properly caring for your skin after treatment helps achieve the best results. Be sure to:

• Apply prescribed creams and serums
• Use gentle cleansers and moisturizers
• Avoid retinoids, glycolic/salicylic acid, and scrubs
• Stay out of the sun completely and use SPF 30+
• Follow any other instructions from your technician

Closely following provided aftercare while your skin renews will keep your complexion glowing.

Achieve a More Even, Radiant Complexion

If your skin tone appears uneven, blotchy, or lackluster, even tone body treatments can be a great solution. These professional treatments resurface the skin, inhibit pigment production, and stimulate collagen to reveal a smooth, bright, even-toned complexion.

From customized chemical peels and lasers to microdermabrasion and light therapy, even tone body treatments can be tailored to your particular skin type and concerns.

By understanding the benefits, options, and proper protocols for these treatments, you can address body skin discoloration and texture issues. With a customized approach and proper care, you’ll be on your way to achieving gorgeous, radiant skin from head to toe.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.