Lips come in different sizes, shapes, and colors and they are all undoubtedly equally beautiful. However, sometimes your lips and their surrounding area may start looking darker and uneven, which can be unpleasant. The good news is that, in most cases, dark upper lip area can be treated. There are several things you can do to get your skin above the upper lip back to a healthy skin color. Read on to find out more.
Table of Contents
- Why Is the Skin Above My Upper Lip Dark?
- Can I Lighten the Dark Skin Above My Upper Lip?
- How to Get Rid of Dark Skin Above Upper Lip Naturally?
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Green Tea
- Lemon
- Turmeric
- Essential Oils
- Conclusion
Why Is the Skin Above My Upper Lip Dark?
There can be several reasons why you have that dark upper lip area. It is a condition called hyperpigmentation in which excess amounts of melanin are produced in your skin.
Many factors can trigger increased melanin production. These include sun exposure, dehydration, smoking, excess caffeine consumption, and other lifestyle-related factors.
Other causes include anemia, vitamin deficiency, and excess fluoride levels in the skin. A condition called melasma also leads to brown patches on the face, especially prominent on the upper lip area. However, it is correctable with time.
Can I Lighten the Dark Skin Above My Upper Lip?
Yes, there are many ways to improve the appearance of dark areas and hyperpigmentation of the skin around your lips. Since your lifestyle plays a crucial role in causing hyperpigmentation or dark upper lip area, it is the first thing you should consider changing.
For instance, cut down on your caffeine intake, stop licking your lips, keep them moisturized, and, of course, stop smoking. While it may not necessarily treat the issue at hand, it will definitely prevent the dark upper lip area from getting worse.
How to Get Rid of Dark Skin Above Upper Lip Naturally?
While you can always opt for a cosmetic procedure to treat the dark upper lip area, you may not always need it. There are plenty of natural ingredients (often already available in your kitchen) which can do a good enough job and make your skin even-toned and bright. I’ve mentioned some of those below:
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has shown its efficacy at balancing pigmentation due to the presence of acetic acid in its composition.
To use apple cider vinegar, mix it with equal parts of water. Soak a cotton ball in this mixture and apply it to the dark upper lip area. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water. Do this at least once daily to get the desired results.
Or, of course, you can opt for an apple cider vinegar product that can help make your complexion even-toned. Such as:
WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Face Wash
WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Face Wash is meant for deep cleansing your face, ergo, bye-bye dust and impurities, and hello even skin tone. Plus, it also helps in clearing blackheads by mildly exfoliating the skin and it prevents acne breakouts.
Also, it comes with a soft silicone brush to help disperse the product, so you can go hands-free. All you need to do is pump 2 to 3 times and gently massage the foam all over your face for 60 seconds. Rinse thoroughly with water and moisturize immediately.
Aloe Vera Gel
Everybody's favorite for a reason, aloe vera gel has multiple uses. It has also shown its efficacy in treating hyperpigmentation. It does so by inhibiting tyrosine kinase and thereby inhibiting melanin production.
Simply apply a thick layer of pure aloe vera gel around your mouth and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse with water and moisturize.
Green Tea
According to a study, green tea extract has depigmenting action. It contains polyphenolic compounds that have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-carcinogenic effects.
Soak a green tea bag in warm water. Let it cool and leave it on the hyperpigmented area for 5 to 10 minutes.
Lemon
Lemon contains vitamin C, an antioxidant agent. Vitamin C has proved its efficacy in inhibiting melanin production by reducing tyrosine activity.
Cut up half a lemon and gently rub it on your lips and surrounding area for 5 minutes. Do this before bed and rinse with water the next morning. Do it continuously for a few weeks for best results.
Alternatively, you can go ahead and pick a vitamin C face wash to make your life easier.
WOW Vitamin C Foaming Face Wash
WOW Vitamin C Foaming Face Wash contains strong antioxidants that can help make your skin tone more even. It also has a gentle exfoliating properties that help get rid of dead skin and dirt and reveal natural glowy skin. It comes with a built-in brush that makes dispersing and using the product a lot easier, but also more efficient and hygienic.
You only need 2 to 3 pumps of this face wash, massage it onto your face for a minute, rinse with water and moisturize.
Turmeric
According to one study, turmeric can also act as a melanin inhibitor due to its antioxidant properties. A simple technique to use turmeric is to add a pinch of turmeric to 1 tablespoon of milk or yogurt and apply it on your lips and around the mouth. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes and wash with cold water.
Essential Oils
Many essential oils such as tea tree oil and lemon oil work against hyperpigmentation. They contain antioxidant properties which help brighten the skin by neutralizing free radicals and preventing their damaging effects to the skin.
Other oils, such as sandalwood oil, inhibit tyrosine production and perform the same function.
WOW Tea Tree Oil
WOW Tea Tree Essential Oil is 100% pure and perfect to use on the skin. It has healing properties that can help in making your skin tone even and brighter. Take 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil, dilute it in a tablespoon of olive oil, and massage it around your lips.
Conclusion
There can be one or more causes behind dark lips. 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.
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