From Dark to Delicate: Treating Lip Hyperpigmentation
Dark spots on lips can be unsightly and make people self-conscious, but it could also be an indicator of certain medical problems, including vitamin deficiency or oral cancer, warns our Dermatologist.
There are various effective home remedies available for lightening dark spots on lips, such as coconut oil, rose water and cucumber juice.
Causes
Medical conditions that cause oxygen deficiency or blue coloring of the lips (cyanosis). Also referred to as ecchymosis, it can be caused by medications taken or injuries sustained, including having a swollen gland in your neck area or by smoking.
Other causes for this condition include actinic keratosis lesions, which resemble black or brown sunspots on the skin and are precancerous lesions of actinic keratosis; although not usually cancerous, they can develop into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated.
Certain medications, including birth control pills containing estrogen and some antibiotics, as well as any allergic reactions to lipsticks or toothpastes could also contribute to dark patches on lips. Another potential cause could be excessive lip licking which causes inflammation of skin cells; to stop this habit and avoid dark patches on lips is important.
Symptoms
Lip pigmentation treatment skin differs from that on your other facial features in several ways, yet is susceptible to hyperpigmentation due to dark spots caused by hyperpigmentation. Luckily, it’s relatively easy to treat.
Sun exposure is often to blame for dark spots. UVA and UVB rays damage the outermost layers of skin, where pigmentation forms. Lips and mouth areas are especially susceptible to UV ray damage; hence it’s imperative that sunscreen be worn daily to protect them.
Other causes of discoloration can be less serious and may include dry or chapped lips (commonly known as farmer’s lip), persistently biting at or licking inside your mouth, medications and hormonal fluctuations such as those experienced during pregnancy (which may lead to melasma). Any dark marks appearing around your lips should be evaluated by a medical provider, especially if they bleed or change shape and color over time; otherwise this could indicate more serious health problems like cancer.
Treatment
Dark spots on lips that require lip pigmentation treatment may be caused by dryness, sun damage or allergies; they typically heal themselves over time without intervention; but if you want to speed up this process there are steps you can take.
Wearing sunscreen, cutting down caffeine intake and moisturizing lips on a regular basis are effective strategies for diminishing dark spots. Over-the-counter creams containing ingredients such as hydroquinone or kojic acid serve as skin lighteners by blocking enzymes responsible for producing melanin; chemical peels may also provide assistance by exfoliating skin.
Lips are more vulnerable than other body parts to sun damage and conditions that cause discoloration, making them especially susceptible to sunburn and discoloration. When going outdoors it is especially important to wear broad spectrum sunscreen; massaging your lips with oil regularly will keep them moist while increasing circulation, helping address pigmentation issues more efficiently.
Prevention
Dark spots around lips, mentions our dermatologist in Mumbai, may be caused by various conditions and issues, including anemia, sun damage, hormone imbalance and medications like birth control pills and tetracycline. Other possible triggers for lip discoloration may include pregnancy-related conditions like Melasma (an affectation specific to pregnant women), age or smoking.
Utilizing non-sticky lip products with limited pigment will help minimize hyperpigmentation on lips. An alternative means of lightening skin is exfoliation; it will remove dead skin cells while speeding up regeneration of new tissue growth.
Conclusion
Drinking plenty of water will also help maintain skin hydration levels and stave off darker patches of skin, while smoking and caffeine intake should both be limited as these substances can stain lips. Finally, when going outdoors in the sun it’s essential to apply sunscreen over lips as well as rest of face in order to protect it from UVA/UVB rays that trigger melanin production leaving pigmented patches of skin darkening or darkening over time necessitating hyperpigmentation treatment.
