How to Tackle Hyperpigmentation Around the Mouth?

Tackling hyperpigmentation can feel very daunting, but in recent years it has become somewhat easier to treat. There are a number of products available all containing skin ingredients that can help target the dark patches on the skin and make them appear less visible. There are different levels of pigmentation that can occur on the skin, from scarring left over from acne, damage from over exposure to any UV rays and also some find a change in lifestyle can produce an uneven skin tone. It is considered that although it is a harmless skin concern it can be very bothersome, especially when it is focused around the mouth area, which is why today we have investigated how we can tackle hyperpigmentation around the mouth.

If you are wanting to know about combating dark spots on the skin, you can check out our dedicated blog post about what skincare tips can help you manage dark spots.

How can I lighten the skin around my mouth?

We all get the pigment of our skin from melanin which is naturally occurring in the skin. Quite often, some damage has been caused by overexposure to the sun, medication, hormonal changes (such as pregnancy) and any other underlying conditions that can cause this imbalance in the skin. 

Here are some skincare steps you can take to help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and prevent it from reoccurring:

1. Use skincare products enriched in ingredients that are high in antioxidants that can help combat the damage caused by free radicals, such as UV exposure, pollution and other environmental aggressors.
2. Introduce a chemical exfoliant into your daily routine, glycolic acid and lactic acid have the ability to slough away dead skin cells that can build-up on the outer surface of the skin. Over time you will find any dark pigmentation is significantly lightened.
3. Ensure you fully cleanse the skin during your evening skincare routine to prevent any remaining traces of product to cause breakouts and other skin damage.
4. Depending on your skin type, 2-3 times a week you can use a physical scrub and exfoliant the skin.

There you have some of the top skin tips in helping to lighten the skin around the mouth and reducing pigmentation. 

What causes dark spots around the mouth?

Here are some of the main factors that can cause pigmentation around the mouth and how long you can expect them to last on the skin:

Trauma to the skin

By this I mean any type of injury that is inflicted on the skin, such as acne, spots, infection or burns. It is once these concerns have healed that a dark brown colour will appear around the mouth, this is often called, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so chances are if the area has suffered from any inflammation it will result in a dark spot. There is no need to panic however, as these dark patches tend to fade in about 6 months. If, however, you are wanting to rid the skin more rapidly, then using serums enriched in antioxidant ingredients, such as vitamin C will help reduce their appearance quickly.

Melasma

Melasma regularly occurs during pregnancy and is often called “the mask of pregnancy” and appears in brown, greyish patches across the forehead, cheeks and upper lip. Caused by a change in hormones, melasma affects pregnant women, as well as some who are taking a certain type of oral contraceptive pills. These dark patches on the skin do not last forever, and you can expect them to reduce and eventually fade all together after a few months once the baby is born or when you have stopped taking birth control pills.

Sun exposed

Over exposure to the sun’s UV rays will cause an increase in your chances of developing dark spots. These spots, which can also be called age spots, sunspots and liver spots, often occur as the skin ages and is unable to conceal the damage caused by UV exposure from sun light or excessive use on tanning beds. Bear in mind however, that if the damage is quite severe you will see the signs of pigmentation before your skin has aged more.

The most effective way of preventing these dark spots is to apply a daily SPF of 30 and above, even when the weather seems gloomy, UVA rays are always present and applying SPF will create a protective barrier on the skin. Make sure you don’t forget to apply the sun factor to your upper lips and around the mouth (ensuring you don’t ingest any) as this area is frequently forgotten about and suffers from pigmentation the most.

Vitamin and medical reasons

Having vitamin deficiencies, especially vitamin B12 and vitamin D will promote any melasma in the skin to develop, taking daily supplements will help keep the skin even and glowing. If you are having to take certain types of medication you may find uneven skin tone becomes a problem, though the results may be short term and will hopefully reduce a few months down the line.

There you have some of the reasons you are suffering from hyperpigmentation on the skin. I am now going to share in more detail the best treatments and ingredients to use when tackling dark patches around the mouth and other areas of the skin.

What is the best treatment for hyperpigmentation on face?

We have previously shared some skincare tips with you to help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation that can be used every day/week. The following tips are those performed by trained professionals and potent ingredients that require you to introduce them into your routine gradually such as:

• Retinols, either over the counter, medical grade or prescription strength
• Laser therapy for focused treatment on dark spots and acne scarring
• Chemical peels to help reduce the appearance of pigmentation with intensive exfoliation

Taking your time to find the best treatments and routine for combating pigmentation will result in the skin feeling comfortable and looking healthy.

Will hyperpigmentation go away?

There are different types of hyperpigmentation, as mentioned, melasma will disappear in due course and other dark spots can be treated with a bespoke cocktail of treatments. Sun damage is known for being the trickiest to rid yourself of and though these particular dark spots can become less visible they will never fully go away completely. This means you must remember to protect the face during the summer months to prevent the pigmentation to darken again.

How long does it take hyperpigmentation to fade?

It can take within 6-12 months for hyperpigmentation and dark spots to fade from the face and mouth. As I have already mentioned there are some potent skincare ingredients to include into your routine to combat the concerns. If you find your hyperpigmentation is deep rooted into the lower layers of the skin, it may take years for the discolouration to improve. 

I hope we have answered your questions about hyperpigmentation today, don’t forget you can always ask us about anything skincare related over on our Instagram