how to get rid of dark skin above upper lip

They speed up your cell's turnover rate, meaning they help push those damaged, pigmented skin cells to the surface (and then slough them off) to make room for fresh, new, and undamaged skin cells, says Dr. Maiman. Activated charcoal is a black, odorless powder that has been around for centuries. Melasma occurs much more often in women than in men, and usually is associated with hormonal changes. Approved. They're going to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to fading your melasma. All Rights Reserved. However, by choosing the right skincare products, making the right changes to your lifestyle, being careful abour sun exposure and including some home remedies, such as aloe vera gel, turmeric, lemon, and essential oils, in your skincare routine, you can get rid of those dark patches and uneven tones. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Dermatologist may prescribe medications that combine hydroquinone with other ingredients, such as:. Laser hair reduction using diode, alexandrite or Nd:YAG lasers can help get rid of the unwanted hairs on the upper lip; as it is the safest, effective and most cost-efficient method to get rid of unwanted body hair. Interested in implementing vitamin C into your skin care regimen? There are several things you can do to get your skin above the upper lip back to a healthy skin color. Answer (1 of 4): Hey, Wendy. It's the fastest way to correct your lip lines. "If you're lucky enough to have your melasma clear up, it's still important to continue with maintenance therapy to prevent it from coming back." The same goes for smoking, too, whether its old-fashioned cigarettes or electronic ones. Regular use of this cream inhibits the production of melanin that causes skin discoloration. Soak a cotton ball in this mixture and apply it to the dark upper lip area. Collagen plays a pivotal role in maintaining our connective tissues and muscles and boosting our skins elasticity and hydration. M - F 8 AM - 4 PM EST wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. ), excessive heat (from things like hot yoga or hanging in the steam room), and an overly harsh or an aggressive skincare routine. As an added benefit, it also stimulates collagen production for an impressive skin-tightening and pore-minimizing effect, says Dr. Maiman. Using chemical exfoliants too often can weaken your skin's protective barrier, leading to things like inflammation, which we know is a trigger for melasma. Summary. I'm now a self-proclaimed melasma expert, and I've tried virtually every melasma cream, face serum, and treatment in existence. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. A person can make a scrub at home using the following method: Combine 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 tsp of sugar. If used on your whole face, lemon juice will lighten your whole complexion, not just your dark spots. Dermatology Intensive 3 in 1 Review for Wrinkle Removal & Antiaging; MAC RUSSIAN RED LIPSTICK REVIEW - For All Skin Tones (Fair Skin, Dark Skin, Tan Skin Tone) See Also Skin Lightening. Nicotine in the smoke stains your lips, leaving them dark and dull. In some people, the discoloration never entirely disappears. If your lips are very dry and cracked, try a thick ointment, such as white petroleum jelly. Rose water with honey Consider some health tips to lighten skin above upper lip 1. Using your fingers, gently massage the baking soda into your skin using small circular motions. Buff your lips daily with a clean toothbrush, a damp washcloth or a lip scrub to remove flakes and boost circulation. Keep repeating the process consistently at bed time. Cucumber extract 7. 5. Scrub and massage gently for a few minutes and leaves for 15-20 minutes and clean with lukewarm water. Born in India, WOW Skin Science delivers high-performance, plant-powered solutions backed by science. All these ingredients can relax pigment-producing compounds and lighten your skin tone. If you want to get rid of dark lips permanently, it may involve a lot of treatments for the underlying problem that cause them. She has covered beauty for nine years at Cosmopolitan and has contributed to Womens Health and Seventeen magazines as well. It primarily affects women (fact: 90 percent of people with melasma are female, says Dr. Okereke) in their 20s, 30s, and 40sso really, any adult woman can get it. A cream containing hydroquinone, which is a skin-lightening chemical, is effective in fading the upper lip discoloration. .css-4xjy6g{display:block;font-family:RundDisplay,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:0.01em;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-4xjy6g:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-4xjy6g{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.9375rem;margin-top:1.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-4xjy6g{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:1.25rem;margin-top:0.9375rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-4xjy6g{font-size:1.625rem;line-height:1.2;}}FYI: Exfoliating Gloves Are The Key to Smooth Skin, This Chemical Peel Majorly Healed My Hormonal Acne, I Tried the New Long-Lasting Botox Alternative (! We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. It contains polyphenolic compounds that have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-carcinogenic effects. The treatment is mostly painless and requires little-to-no downtime, but multiple treatments are necessary to see a significant reduction in melasma. Sangya Shaily is a content writer from Mumbai, India. In this scenario, using anti-wrinkle injections (muscle . Melasma: This *very* stubborn form of .css-tjvzc4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;border-bottom:thin solid #6F6F6F;}.css-tjvzc4:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}hyperpigmentation is arguably the world's most annoying skin ~issue~, and I can confidently say that because I've dealt with it on and off for the last five years. Do it continuously for a few weeks for best results. The best electric diffusers to shop now. Other peel options for melasma worth talking to your doctor about? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,716,006 times. Lucy Chen, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, FL. This Melasma Serum with Tranexamic Acid and Niacinamide, This Melasma Serum with Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide, This Melasma Cream with Azelaic Acid and Arbutin, This Melasma Cream with Arbutin and Vitamin C, This Melasma Cream with Azelaic Acid and Glycolic Acid, This Melasma Cream with Niacinamide and Kojic Acid, All The Best Products for Getting Rid of Melasma, FYI: Exfoliating Gloves Are The Key to Smooth Skin, clinical instructor at Mount Sinai hospital, Your Best Skin Ever: Skin Care Treatments and Products, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. You also can use cosmetics to even out the skin color. Therefore, it is very important to protect your skin from these harmful rays by wearing a facial sunscreen everyday -- even when it's not sunny. Exfoliating too often can cause irritation and sensitivity. The center (philtrum) is white. Moisturizing with lotions or oils can often help relieve dry skin around the mouth. While it may not necessarily treat the issue at hand, it will definitely prevent the dark upper lip area from getting worse. Electrolysis is successful at permanently removing dark, thick upper-lip hair after several sessions, but it varies depending on hair thickness, hereditary factors and stress levels. (You know how wild we are for sunscreen here at Byrdiewe rounded up our favorites here.) Kudos!". Don't expect to slather on a bunch of products and suddenly be melasma free. Beetroot juice can also be a home remedy for dark lips. Another option is to mix equal amounts of honey and tomato juice and apply it to the darkened area. According to one study, turmeric can also act as a melanin inhibitor due to its antioxidant properties. inhibit tyrosine production and perform the same function. A person can make a scrub at home using the following method: Combine 1 teaspoon (tsp) of honey and 1 tsp of sugar. To MacGregor, it's quite simply the best way to permanently reduce hair growth. Laser treatments work by using continuous light beams or pulsed energy to vaporize the skin's thin, outer layers. Glycerin: Glycerin can help to prevent dark lips and eliminate dry spots caused by dryness. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Gently peel off the egg white against the direction of hair growth. 2. That means 1) wearing sunscreen religiously and a wide-brimmed hat or visor when you're spending time outside, 2) avoiding irritating skin care products, and 3) using a serum or topical with brightening ingredients. Her clients include Terrence Howard, Torrey Smith, Lester Holt, Adrienne Lofton, and Natasha Hastings. Consider wearing a hat with a brim to protect your face from the sun. Available for Android and iOS devices. laser therapy for dark spots chemical peels to help exfoliate the skin and reduce appearance of pigmentation When to see a doctor Some forms of discoloration around the mouth may fade with time. If you want to make your own mask, mix equal amounts of gram flour, turmeric, lemon juice and honey together in a small bowl until it forms a smooth paste. Melasma can't really be "cured." Dark upper lips are a problem for many women, especially those with naturally darker skin tones. That means chill with the derma-rollers/microneedlers and scrubs and stick to these tried-and-true products, below, instead. Tanning booths are harmful to the skin and can lead to premature aging, in addition to brown spots and discoloration. It is better to use hydroquinone creams with sunscreen to help protect your skin while going out in the sun. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. You can try hydroquinone cream or other OTC medications to lighten your skin. Although melasma does not require treatment, a doctor can distinguish melasma from other skin disorders that may need to be treated. There are tons of different types of laser treatmentswith different price points and necessary downtimeand you should consult with your dermatologist to find the right one for you. Many essential oils such as tea tree oil and lemon oil work against hyperpigmentation. Darker patches of skin appear on the forehead, temples, cheeks or above the upper lip. Use sun block to areas more prone to discoloration opt for the one that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Gently exfoliating the lips can help remove dead skin cells. Both these treatments help "sand off" the upper layer of your skin with the help of abrasive materials. She loves writing lifestyle, beauty, fashion, and health & wellness-related content, among other things. It has healing properties that can help in making your skin tone even and brighter. Like hyaluronic acid, collagen is something our bodies produce less of as we get older. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. I had the exact same problem, and got made fun of in middle school for it. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Some possible causes include skin cancer, a vitamin B12 deficiency, excessive iron in the body, thyroid disorders, smoking, age spots, and dehydration. Make Use of Tretinoin You can take tretinoin - a type of vitamin A - to encourage your body to shed dead skin cells at a better rate. An influencer's fashion week look is dividing fans. For instance, people with dark lips due to sunburn can use sunscreen lotion or makeups. You only need 2 to 3 pumps of this face wash, massage it onto your face for a minute, rinse with water and moisturize. Follow her on Instagram. For instance, you can opt for products that contain mandelic acid, watercress, bearberry, lemon peel extract, vitamin C, and apple cider vinegar. Discoloration in your upper lip is usually a sign of hormonal changes, but it could also be the result of spending too much time out in the sun. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Some women try to wax the area to get rid of light hair, but this irritates the area around their lips and results in discoloration. 13. All you need to do is pump 2 to 3 times and gently massage the foam all over your face for 60 seconds. A dark upper lip may refer to the skin above the upper lip, or the upper lip itself. During this treatment, experts will use fine crystals across your skin to strip away dead skin cells. Using lemon and sugar together 3. She has been awarded WeddingWire's Couple's Choice Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Soak the lentils in water overnight. The biggest thing to remember when incorporating chemical exfoliants into your routine is to not overdo it, says Dr. Doft. Alternatively, your can take an ice cube and massage it gently into the lips. - Dermatologist Geeta Oberoi suggests a few other options. Another way is to use a homemade remedy such as lemon juice or baking soda. Skin cancer and oral cancer is a chronic infection that can affect the skin of the lips to develop dry patches. All of these ingredients help suppress excess pigment production while lightening melasma and evening out your skin toneplus they're fairly gentle and safe for all skin tones unlike other skin brighteners (looking at you, hydroquinone) as well. Protection from the sun is a necessary part of treatment of melasma. It comes with a built-in brush that makes dispersing and using the product a lot easier, but also more efficient and hygienic. olive oil. To get rid of dark of dark skin on upper lip, you can choose to use natural home remedies or go for treatments over the counter. Give the area special attention while cleansing. These medications can change hormones and lead to melasma. Make a mask from Crushed papaya and some honey Apply it over your lips and keep for 15-20 minutes Wash your lips gently with water. Apply lemon juice mixed with some milk around the mouth and lips, over the dark skin and gently rub it. I have the same problem and I apply eyeshadow that is a perfect match to my skin tone to the area, then I wear something bright and colorful, whether it's makeup, clothes, or a necklace, etc. How to Get Rid of Brown Spots: Can Home Remedies Help? Excessive use of substandard lipsticks and lip-liners may also contribute to this problem. Since your lifestyle plays a crucial role in causing hyperpigmentation or dark upper lip area, it is the first thing you should consider changing. They then need to pull the strip away quickly, which. The sunscreen should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. The bleaching properties of lemon can brighten up the skin and lighten the green shadow or dark patches. "Typically, patients will need five Clear and Brilliant laser treatments spaced about a month a part," says Dr. Maiman. Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. I'm ashamed and I hate going out in public. Although it is available in the USA, it has been banned in many Asian and European countries due to its potential carcinogenic properties. ", "I used the lemon and honey method, and within 9 days I can see the difference! Microneedling is the process of pricking the skin with ultra-fine, small needles to generate new collagen and reveal firmer, smoother skin underneath. Chemical exfoliants refer to exfoliating acids, like AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, says plastic surgeon Melissa Doft, MD. Exfoliate. Therefore, it's important to protect your lips from harmful UVA and UVB rays by wearing a lip balm that contains an SPF when you're out and about during the day. Amaro-Ortiz A. Yan B. Just massage a generous amount onto the fine lines around your lip area using your fingertips and leave it on overnight for a plumper appearance. Sophie Ross has covered beauty and fashion for more than five years. Therefore, it's a good idea to take a break from waxing for a couple of months, to give your skin a chance lighten on its own. See your doctor if you develop any unexplained discoloration of the skin. Make your own lip scrub by mixing a teaspoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of sugar. However, sometimes your lips and their surrounding area may start looking darker and uneven, which can be unpleasant. Other oils, such as sandalwood oil, inhibit tyrosine production and perform the same function. Since black tea and coffee can stain your lips, try to cut back on these beverages or use a straw when you're drinking them. Voil, the perfect recipe for premature wrinkles! Take 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil, dilute it in a tablespoon of olive oil, and massage it around your lips. http://www.niams.nih.gov/. Let it cool and leave it on the hyperpigmented area for 5 to 10 minutes. Use these treatments at night, when you won't see UV rays for a while. Read on to learn the different benefits this ingredient can have for your skin. Rinse thoroughly with water and moisturize immediately. You can even mix a bit of honey into lemon juice and apply around the dark skin. Oils are famously revered for their anti-aging benefitsthey fight free-radical damage to cells and are typically rich in antioxidants. For an easyalbeit unconventionalat-home treatment, you can give yourself a mini facial with an ultra-hydrating oil. I have this sometimes from clogged pores. Doctors call this hyperpigmentation. The trick is to seek laser removal for the right type of hair, at the right time. You can undergo certain treatments, such as dermabrasion or microdermabrasion to help lighten the appearance of dark spots. She specializes in Mohs surgery and cutaneous oncology. It's generally thought of a last-resort medication, so if you've exhausted all your options with zero success, oral tranexamic may be worth bringing up to your doctor. Carrot juice 8. Maiman." Every time my face turns red from working out, rushing around, etc., my entire face will be red but my . Talk to your dermatologist about treatment options. Wear a hat with a brim to shade and protect your face. Weve said it once, and well repeat it: you need to wear sunscreen on your face every single day, especially if youre trying to prevent fine lines. Be patient with itmost routines take three to four months to yield visible results. But the emergence of fine lines usually reflects a change in many of our skincare journeys, myself includedand sometimes, that might include getting creative with new treatments (both of the professional and the at-home variety). Enjoy! This article was co-authored by Tymia Yvette. You can get many products that use paper mulberry as ingredient and help treat melasma. Upper lip hair removal: Everything you need to know. That healing response turn prompts your cells to make to make brand-new, fresh skin that hasnt yet experienced the effects of hormones and sun, explains Dr. Maiman. Such as: WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Face Wash is meant for deep cleansing your face, ergo, bye-bye dust and impurities, and hello even skin tone. Why Do Your Lips Get Dry? Therefore, you should speak to your doctor before using this product. Current time: 03/05/2023 02:45:58 a.m. UTC Try a chemical exfoliant that contains salicylic acid. D'Orazio JA. doi:10.3390/molecules19056202, 4 Surprising Things That Are Giving You Wrinkles (And How to Fix Them), 12 Under-Eye Wrinkle Remedies Dermatologists Swear By, How to Hydrate and Plump Dry Skin Around the Eyes, 8 Ways to Treat Marionette Lines, According to Derms, Everything You Need to Know About Smile Lines, According to Skincare Experts, Your Ultimate Guide to Preventing and Diminishing Crow's Feet, Dermatologist-Approved Tips for Wrinkles Around the Mouth, Forget Botox: Beauty Editors Do This Glow-Boosting Treatment First, The 12 Best Drugstore Foundations for Mature Skin of 2023, 9 Ways to Smooth Forehead Wrinkles, According to Derms. It is a condition called hyperpigmentation in which excess amounts of melanin are produced in your skin. Stuff like that is always much more obvious to you than it is to other people anyway. You may experience hormonal changes due to pregnancy, birth control pills, and hormone replacement therapy. - Get your skincare regime in place and apply sunscreen (SPF 50) not only during summer but also in winter. (Depending on where in the country you live, a single session on the . This allows the doctor to see patterns and depth of skin discoloration more clearly. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If you you prefer more natural moisturization methods, try rubbing a little honey on your lips (just don't lick it off) or a little, You can also keep your lips hydrated by drinking lots of water -- ideally six to. One way is to use a lightening cream that can be found at most drugstores. Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo And Coconut/Avocado Oil Conditioner, why you have that dark upper lip area. This, ultimately, results in collagen production, which results in younger-looking, smoother, and softer skin underneath once it heals. She has also provided makeup and lash services for the Betsy Royal Casting Agency and the Baltimore Raven's cheerleading squad from 2010 to 2012. Alternatively, you can go ahead and pick a vitamin C face wash to make your life easier. Look for 1 that contains a beta-hydroxy acid, such as salicylic acid. Technically, you can use anything from coconut oil to grapeseed oil to olive oilreally, any oil will do the trick. Cut a lemon into half, and rub one half on the dark patch around your lips for 10-15 minutes. These natural substances can help limit the production of pigment-producing components in your skin. Copyright WWW.NEWHEALTHADVISOR.ORG 2014, All rights Reserved. The most popular ingredient in fade creams is hydroquinone. Once dried, scrub the paste off. That is why the dark patches develop often during pregnancy, or if a woman is taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or oral contraceptives. Finally, my skin problems have purpose. This will slough away dead skin cells that could be clogging pores. That means if you love to lay out, skimp on sunscreen, use hormonal birth control, or are pregnant, you're a prime candidate for developing melasma. The most important factor in the development of melasma is exposure to sunlight. In her leisure time, she loves to indulge in reading classic literature and spend time with her family. Opt for a product that comes with a SPF of at least 30. "The Sciton Halo a dual wavelength fractional laseris hands down my favorite laser for treating melasma, says Dr. Lips come in different sizes, shapes, and colors and they are all undoubtedly equally beautiful. Use a cotton bud to dab a couple of drops of glycerin onto your lips every night before bed. Be sure to follow all the instructions when using these products. Your dermatologist can write a prescription for it to help fade darkening above your upper lip. This can happen when you take certain medications, such as hormone replacement therapy and birth control pills. Hyaluronic acid is natural to our bodys cells, but its production significantly reduces as we get older. Sabrina Crews is a copy editor and fact checker. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Again, this is a professional treatment you should only consider after speaking with a dermatologist. There are numerous potential causes for a dark spot on the lips. "Chemical sunscreens only block UV light, but zinc sunscreens block all types of light, making them more effective at preventing melasma," says dermatologist Saya Obayan, MD.