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Home > Skin & Beauty > Skin Conditions > Dull Skin: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Complications

Dull Skin: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Complications

January 21, 2021 - Updated on August 19, 2021
7 min read
By Akanksha Shah Sanghvi, MD, Clinical Dermatology

In this article:

  • Causes of Dull Skin
  • Symptoms of Dull Skin
  • Medical Treatment for Skin Rejuvenation
  • Diagnosing the Cause of Dull Skin
  • Complications Associated With Increasing Skin Dullness
  • When to See a Doctor
  • Final Word

Healthy, glowing skin is often considered a symbol of good health and vitality. However, with the skin being exposed to various factors that can have a negative impact on its health, it is extremely common for the skin to appear dull.

rejuvenating dull skin

Skin dullness, along with discoloration and sagginess, can also result from aging. Regardless of the cause, dull skin is a highly undesirable feature among people.

This article discusses the various causes, different medical treatments, and risk factors associated with dull skin.

Causes of Dull Skin

factors that can cause a dull skin complexion

The following factors can be responsible for dull-looking skin:

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  • Premature aging. This is caused by an increase in oxidative stress in the body, due to the accumulation of free radicals.
  • Natural aging. Dull, pale-looking skin is a part of the natural aging process.
  • Sun exposure. Excessive exposure to the sun, especially in the absence of sun protectants, can cause photoaging (1) by increasing oxidative stress in the body. The harmful UV rays may also cause DNA damage. This is more common among white-skinned people and Caucasians as compared to darker-skinned individuals. (2)
  • Unbalanced diet. A nonnutritious diet can impair effective body functioning, which can easily reflect on the skin.
  • Medical conditions. These include gastrointestinal problems such as constipation and contact dermatitis, among others.
  • Medications. Certain drugs or medicinal therapies such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy can also cause skin dullness.
  • Dehydration. The health and functioning of your skin also depend on its hydration levels. Therefore, a lack of water can result in dull skin. (3)
  • Lack of sleep. It is essential to get around 7 hours of sound sleep to allow your body to detoxify. Without proper sleep, toxins may affect skin health.
  • Tobacco use. Smoking or tobacco consumption can have a negative impact on collagen levels, resulting in reduced skin elasticity. This makes the skin saggy and loose. Moreover, tobacco contributes to oxidative stress in the body and thus induces premature aging. (4)
  • Alcohol consumption. An unregulated intake of alcohol can also contribute to skin dullness.
  • Improper moisturization. Not using moisturizers such as lotions, serums, or creams, especially in dry weather, can contribute to skin dullness.
  • Not exfoliating the skin. It is essential to exfoliate the skin at least once weekly to help prevent the buildup of dead skin cells on the surface. However, make sure to not overexfoliate the skin.
  • Use of harsh chemicals. Skin products that are laden with chemicals such as sulfates and parabens can irritate the skin and are a common cause of dermatitis.
  • Improper skin care. This includes the use of hot water frequently for bathing, not removing makeup before sleeping, and rubbing the skin with a harsh towel after washing instead of patting it dry.
  • Weather conditions. The skin may often appear dry and dull in dry, hot weather or excessively cold conditions with low humidity.
  • Environmental pollution (5)
  • Psychological stress

Symptoms of Dull Skin

Dull skin may be accompanied by the following signs and symptoms:

  • Uneven skin tone
  • Roughness in the skin
  • Lack of skin elasticity
  • Fine lines
  • Discoloration
  • Sagginess or wrinkling
  • Lentigines and age spots
  • Dryness
  • Itchiness
  • Dark undereyes

Medical Treatment for Skin Rejuvenation

treatment for skin rejuvenation

Dull skin is generally a result of poor lifestyle habits (1) and therefore can be managed with the help of self-care. You may require medical treatment if you have an underlying medical problem.

Depending on the cause, your doctor may suggest the following treatments to help rejuvenate your skin: (6)

1. Creams

You may be prescribed creams containing deoxyarbutin, retinoid, glycolic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, and kojic acid for the treatment of age spots. Make sure to use sunscreen with these creams as they can increase sensitivity to sunlight. (7) 

You may also be suggested to use antioxidant creams such as those containing vitamin C to help control inflammation and collagen damage.

2. Cell regulators

These medications contain growth factors and peptides that can help boost collagen production. (5)

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3. Bleaches

You may benefit from prescription-strength bleaches that contain hydroquinone.

4. Laser therapy

Different lasers, such as Q-switched Nd:YAG and ruby laser, are used to help remove pigmentation without scarring the skin.

5. Photodynamic therapy

PDT is a common treatment used to help reverse sun damage and remove age spots.

6. Intense pulsed light therapy

IPL can help even out your skin tone and manage collagen deposition. (8)

7. Hormone replacement therapy

This is useful if the skin dullness is caused by hormonal imbalance. (5)

8. Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion

This involves the use of small brushes to help remove dead skin cells from the skin surface. Often, this treatment requires multiple sessions and may have side effects, such as swelling and redness that fades with time.

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9. Chemical peels

This treatment uses glycolic acid to remove the upper layer of skin, thus helping reveal new, rejuvenated skin layers.

10. Injectables and fillers

Injections such as Botox injections or hyaluronic acid-based derma fillers can help improve the appearance of wrinkles and folds temporarily.

11. Medications

You may require medicines such as antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and histamine blockers if the cause of the skin dullness involves gastrointestinal disorders.

Diagnosing the Cause of Dull Skin

diagnosing dull skin

In most cases, skin dullness and its cause can be identified after a close physical examination. This includes noting the appearance of age spots, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.

The doctor will also ask about your medical history. If your doctor suspects a gastrointestinal problem, the following tests may be needed:

  • Blood test
  • Urine test
  • Colonoscopy

In some cases, the doctor may ask for a skin biopsy, which helps distinguish an age spot from conditions such as lentigo maligna.

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Complications Associated With Increasing Skin Dullness

Persistent skin dullness may be associated with the following complications:

  • Skin blistering
  • Fungal infections or cellulitis
  • Fever
  • Dehydration
  • Skin cancer
  • Premature aging
  • Low self-confidence
  • Social withdrawal

When to See a Doctor

Dull skin, often resulting from environmental pollution, improper diet, or lack of moisture in the skin, can be generally managed with self-care.

However, if left untreated, dull skin can lead to complications, including itchiness, flakiness, and premature aging. Therefore, it is must to consult a doctor if you notice skin dryness along with:

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  • Symptoms of premature skin aging
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea or abdominal discomfort
  • Vomiting
  • Dehydration
What you may ask your doctor
  • What can be the reason behind the appearance of wrinkles on my face?
  • Can the skin dullness be a result of poor gut health?
  • How can I modify my diet to help keep my skin healthy?
  • What self-care measures can help prevent skin dullness?
What your doctor may ask you
  • Do you drink alcohol or smoke?
  • What do you eat throughout the day?
  • Are you allergic to anything?
  • Do you use sunscreen regularly?

Final Word

Being exposed to the outside environment, your skin can quickly lose its health if not taken care of properly. Your skin may appear dull and aged due to pollution, medications, or fatigue. Therefore, it is essential to take proper care of your skin.

If your skin condition does not improve despite proper self-care, you must consult a doctor as skin dullness may be symptomatic of an underlying problem. Several medical treatments can help rejuvenate the skin, making it healthy and look fresh and young.

Continue Reading Continue Reading8 Home Remedies for Skin Rejuvenation and Self-Care Tips
References
  1. Asakura K; Nishiwaki Y; Milojevic A; Michikawa T; Kikuchi Y; Nakano M; Iwasawa S; Hillebrand G; Miyamoto K; Ono M; Kinjo Y; Akiba S; Takebayashi T; Lifestyle factors and visible skin aging in a population of Japanese elders. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19700917/. Published 2009.
  2. Flament F; Bazin R; Laquieze S; Rubert V; Simonpietri E; Piot B; Effect of the sun on visible clinical signs of aging in Caucasian skin. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24101874/. Published 2013.
  3. Palma L, Marques LT, Bujan J, Rodrigues LM. Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4529263/. Published August 3, 2015.
  4. E; UMNGF. [Cigarette smoking and its influence on skin aging]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23421102/. Published 2012.
  5. Ganceviciene R, Liakou AI, Theodoridis A, Makrantonaki E, Zouboulis CC. Skin anti-aging strategies. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583892/. Published July 1, 2012.
  6. JD; HDEN. Facial skin rejuvenation. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14502051/. Published 2003.
  7. C; GMHG. An evaluation of the benefits of a topical treatment in the improvement of photodamaged hands with age spots, freckles, and/or discolorations. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24301250/. Published 2013.
  8. Knight JM, Kautz G. Sequential facial skin rejuvenation with intense pulsed light and non-ablative fractionated laser resurfacing in fitzpatrick skin type II-IV patients: A prospective multicenter analysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6585794/. Published February 2019.
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