I noticed some of my skins look slightly different after recent updates. Do patches ever mess with the lighting or how skins appear in-game, or is that just in my head?

You’re not wrong. Valve sometimes tweaks shaders or lighting that can change how skins look, especially under different map lighting.

You’re right—visual changes can happen after updates, even if they’re not always documented. This is a great source for understanding how in-game visuals, lighting systems, and shaders can impact how skins appear. A while ago, an update adjusted reflections, and my knife suddenly looked darker in some spots. It’s not the skin itself that changes, but how the engine renders it. That can affect buyer interest too—some skins become less appealing under new lighting. If you notice a change, check patch notes or forums, and maybe inspect your skin on different maps. It’s subtle, but it matters in the trading world.