When you wear makeup, hyperpigmentation around the mouth can be frustrating. It does not matter how accurate your foundation shade is to your skin tone; it will always appear ashy around your mouth.
People with darker skin tones tend to be much more prone to this type of pigmentation than those with lighter skin tones. Here is an extensive article on how to get rid of hyperpigmentation. Women are also more likely to have this discoloration compared to men. The hyperpigmentation around your mouth appears patchy or in the form of sunspots. Your skin discolors due to an increase in melanin production.
Though these dark patches are not necessarily a major health risk, they can be uncomfortable for many people. This is why wanting to get rid of them or at least reduce their appearance is okay. It can reduce their appearance in a few ways. The first step is to find out what is causing your hyperpigmentation, then choose a suitable treatment to manage it.
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What is hyperpigmentation around the mouth?
A condition with hyperpigmentation around the mouth is called perioral hyperpigmentation, which only affects the lips and mouth. This hyperpigmentation is in the form of melasma and sun spots resulting from skin exposure to the sun.
What causes hyperpigmentation around the mouth?
There are several reasons you may have hyperpigmentation around your mouth, and treating it or reducing its appearance can only be achieved by finding out the root cause of it. Here are a few reasons you may have the discoloration:
Sun exposure
We all know that too much exposure to the sun is extremely detrimental to the health of our skin. Our skin produces more melanin during excessive UV exposure than it usually does. This means that people with darker skin tones have a significantly higher risk of getting hyperpigmentation because of larger melanocytes than those with lighter tones. Since your mouth is one of your body parts constantly exposed to the sun, it is easily affected by the negative effects of not wearing sunscreen. UV exposure is one of the leading causes of hyperpigmentation around the mouth. So, please remember to always wear sunscreen to avoid any unnecessary problems.
Hormonal changes
During puberty in females, estrogen levels rise, and this causes the melanocytes to be triggered. Melanocytes are skin cells that produce melanin, a pigment that gives your skin its color. When the cells are triggered, they overproduce melanin, and the mouth is one of the body’s parts that this estrogen rise can affect. This leads to hyperpigmentation around the mouth.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also cause your body to produce more melanin than usual, and the mouth area is typically affected.
Melasma
Melasma is a type of skin condition characterized by dark spots or patches darker than your natural skin tone. It is more common in women than men and is typically associated with hormonal changes. Pregnant women are more likely to develop melasma because there is an increase in melanin production. It can also be a side effect of taking birth control pills.
The most common areas of melasma are the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. After pregnancy or after stopping contraceptive pills, melasma often fades independently. It is possible to reduce lasting melasma with skin-lightening creams.
Other causes of hyperpigmentation around the mouth
Some other causes of hyperpigmentation around the mouth are:
- Hyperpigmentation is also common among people who have gone through cancer treatments. They stimulate melanocytes to produce more melanin and cause inflammation in the skin.
- If your skin experiences trauma, such as an insect bite, it can also result in hyperpigmentation.
- The healing process of an acne breakout can sometimes result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It can be around the mouth.
- Vitamin deficiencies
How do you treat hyperpigmentation around the mouth?
Here are a few ways that you can treat hyperpigmentation around the mouth. You can certainly use a combination of them, but ensure that you follow safety measures before diving into one way of helping you treat hyperpigmentation. Check with your dermatologist if you want to try anything new on your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Retinoids
Retinoids have been used to treat acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and age-related skin conditions for many years. Retinol works by increasing the rate at which your skin cells turnover. Your skin will heal much faster than usual because all the dead skin cells are shed off, and new cells are pushed to the surface of your skin. Retinoids help to even out your skin tone and give it a much brighter and healthier appearance by suppressing melanin production.
They come in many forms, from oral to topical, and in different concentrations. But a topical product at a low concentration would do the trick to treat hyperpigmentation around the mouth. This is because the skin around the mouth is quite thin and sensitive, and you wouldn’t want to further irritate the area. If you are a newbie to using retinoids, don’t be afraid. Read this beginner’s guide to using retinol.
Laser treatments
Laser treatments have also been used to treat hyperpigmentation around the mouth. Essentially, the laser draws the pigmentation to the skin’s surface, where it slowly starts flaking off. Unfortunately, most of these laser treatments are not permanent. Still, they can lighten the area for a while and are only needed for a few sessions. Other treatments must also be used with the laser to help improve the hyperpigmentation around the mouth. If your skin is darker, you should be careful. Make sure that you consult a specialist who knows what they’re doing regarding skin color because many laser treatments burn darker skin tones.
Tyrosinase inhibitors
Kojic acid, alpha arbutin, tranexamic acid, and azelaic acid are common tyrosinase inhibitors. They reduce the overproduction of melanin in your skin, which in turn evens out your skin tone. Technically, they don’t lighten your skin but rather brighten it. Just like most other treatments, they need to be used consistently and permanently because they do not produce permanent results. The ingredients listed above are gentle, so they can be used for a prolonged period.
Hydroquinone is also another famous tyrosinase inhibitor, if not the most famous of them all. However, it has quite a bad reputation in the skincare world. It is banned in many countries due to the many negative effects that it may have. If you want to use hydroquinone, I suggest you see your dermatologist and speak to them about it. However, it does work, but it should be used with caution.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants have many benefits for your skin. But for the sake of hyperpigmentation, the one benefit I will mention is their brightening effects. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to reduce oxidative stress in your skin, brighten it, increase collagen production, and even it out. When used in conjunction with sunscreen, it increases the efficacy of the protection properties of sunscreen.
Chemical exfoliation
I am specifically mentioning chemical exfoliation because when tackling hyperpigmentation, the last thing you should ever do is be rough with your skin. So, physical exfoliation is a no-go area. Using products with alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and polyhydroxy acids are effective ways to break down pigmented cells. This helps the skin even out at a faster rate than normal. As a result, the hyperpigmentation around the mouth can slowly fade away.
Just remember to choose low-concentration acids because they can irritate the skin, and any further irritation can worsen the pigmentation. If your skin is sensitive, I suggest using ingredients like lactic acid, mandelic acid, and polyhydroxy acids. These ingredients are gentle on the skin and hydrating, which is a plus.
Sunscreen
Of course, this is the most important treatment because it is a preventative measure. Sunscreen should be worn every day, regardless of your skin color. Besides preventing hyperpigmentation, it also reduces premature aging and the chances of you getting skin cancer someday. So make sure it’s a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 50, and remember to reapply throughout the day.
How do you prevent hyperpigmentation around mouth?
Depending on the cause of the hyperpigmentation around your mouth, you can do a few things to prevent it. If it is caused by genes or hormone fluctuations, there is only so much you can do about it. In that case, you should speak to your doctor about it.
If the discoloration is related to picking at your skin when you have acne or excessive exposure to the sun, wear sunscreen and stop picking at your skin. You will be amazed at how much improvement you will see in the pigmentation.
Another thing that you can do is avoid things like tanning beds. Change your medication if that’s what’s causing your pigmentation by speaking to your doctor.
Wear protective clothing, such as hats and long-sleeved shirts, if you plan to be in the sun for a long time. Lastly, if your pigmentation is caused by some deficiencies, you should address them with your doctor.
Best products for hyperpigmentation around the mouth
The skin around the mouth is quite thin, and because of this, it is best to use brightening/exfoliating products that are not too strong.
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear is a skin-lightening cream that is designed to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, such as age spots, sun spots, and melasma. It is formulated with 4% hydroquinone, a powerful skin-lightening ingredient that inhibits melanin production in the skin. The product is designed to address various skin concerns, including hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, and rough texture.
The one downside to this product is how expensive it is! However, if you are willing to spend the “extra penny,” it is worth it because of its amazing formula.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is a popular antioxidant serum designed to protect the skin against environmental damage and aging. The product contains 15% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), and 0.5% ferulic acid.
This combination of antioxidants neutralizes free radicals, molecules that can damage the skin cells and cause premature aging. The product is also designed to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.
Applying it on your face first thing in the morning under sunscreen can help improve the hyperpigmentation around the mouth.
Common questions about hyperpigmentation around the mouth
Which deficiency causes hyperpigmentation around mouth?
Hyperpigmentation around the mouth can also be caused by a deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12 and iron. Suppose you suspect a deficiency may be causing your hyperpigmentation. In that case, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.
Does vitamin C help hyperpigmentation?
Yes, vitamin C can help reduce hyperpigmentation around the mouth. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can help to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Look for skincare products that contain vitamin C, such as serums or creams, to help improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
Should you exfoliate hyperpigmentation?
Exfoliating can help reduce hyperpigmentation around the mouth. Still, it’s important to use gentle exfoliants and avoid over-exfoliating, which can irritate the skin and worsen hyperpigmentation. Look for gentle exfoliants, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), to help improve the skin’s texture and reduce hyperpigmentation.
How can I speed up the healing of hyperpigmentation?
You can take several steps to help speed up the healing of hyperpigmentation around the mouth. These include using sunscreen to protect your skin from further damage, using gentle and effective skincare products, and making dietary and lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep.
Conclusion
Hyperpigmentation around the mouth can happen to almost anyone, especially women and people of color. There are many causes of hyperpigmentation around the mouth. These include hormonal changes, pregnancy, acne-related disorders, genes, shaving bumps, side effects from chemotherapy, and insect bites. By understanding the causes of hyperpigmentation, incorporating a comprehensive skincare routine, and being consistent with treatment, you can improve the appearance of dark spots and achieve a more even skin tone.
What products have you used to manage the pigmentation around your mouth? Did they work? Let me know in the comments.
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