Pink, soft, and plump lips are part of a person’s facial aesthetics and personality. However, they can darken with time, habits like smoking and caffeine, and excessive sun exposure. Lip darkening is also called lip pigmentation. It is a condition that can make one self-conscious and affects confidence. If you are suffering from it, you must be eager to learn about lip pigmentation treatment. So, here is more to it.
What is Lip Pigmentation?
Darkened lips or lip discoloration features patches or two-toned lips. Lip pigmentation results from increased melanin deposits in the lip. Hence, lips also need proper and regular care to keep them naturally healthy, pink, and soft. Lips can darken due to various reasons. While some are natural, a few others are lifestyle-oriented. Thus, before we see how to get rid of dark lips naturally, let us look at some common causes of lip discoloration or pigmentation.
Causes of Lip Pigmentation
From sun exposure to lack of hydration, here are some common reasons for lip pigmentation.
- Prolonged Sun Exposure: Excess exposure to the sun triggers melanin production to combat the sun’s harmful UV rays. It can render the lips dry, chapped, and rough, causing them to darken.
- Smoking: Cigarettes have chemicals that can darken the upper lip. The nicotine content in cigarettes lowers blood flow by shrinking the blood vessels in the lip and darkening them.
- Lack of Hydration: Dehydration makes lips look dry and flaky. The upper lip looks chapped and appears darker than the lower one.
- Hormonal Changes: Changes in hormones during pregnancy can result in lip discoloration. These changes may also cause melasma, which includes dark patches on the face and upper lip.
Natural Lip Pigmentation Removal Treatment
Here is how you can remove lip pigmentation naturally.
- Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has nutrients and antioxidants nourish that hydrate the delicate skin of the lips. It has properties that restrict melanin production. Apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel to the lips and let it dry. Once the lips dry, wash them with warm water.
- Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has moisturizing properties that help hydrate the skin and make it soft and supple. It also works as a lip-brightening treatment due to its vitamin E and fatty acid content. Apply a little coconut oil daily to the lips twice or thrice daily to treat dark lips at home.
- Cucumber Juice
Cucumber juice has lighting and cooling properties that lighten dark lips and promote better lip health. Accordingly, you can spread some cucumber juice on your lips and keep it for 15-20 minutes. After that, wash it with water.
- Lemon
Lemon juice has bleaching properties that help lighten the lip color. Squeeze a slice of lemon and mix it with sugar. Apply the mixture to your lips before sleeping. Wash your lips with lukewarm water in the morning.
- Olive Oil
Olive has excellent nourishing and moisturizing properties. So, massage a few drops of olive oil on your lips before bedtime to see them lighten over a period.
Other Lip Brightening Treatment Options
Some severe cases may need medical intervention and undergo advanced lip pigmentation treatment. A few include the following.
- Lip Pigmentation Laser Treatment: This treatment involves targeting intense light beams to break down pigmented cells in the lips.
- Chemical Peels: This includes applying a chemical solution to the lips that eliminates the top skin layer and exposes the one beneath it.
- Microdermabrasion: This advanced lip brightening treatment uses a specialized tool to gently remove the skin’s outer layer and expose the lighter and smoother layer underneath.
- Medications Applied to the Lips: For some cases, the specialist will suggest creams, ointments, and serums with hydroquinone (a lightning agent).
Note: You should choose any natural or medical lip pigmentation removal treatment after consulting your doctor and knowing their suitability, particularly in your case.
How to Prevent the Upper Lip from Darkening?
Prevention is part of dark upper lip treatment. Some preventive measures include the following.
- Applying lip balms with SPF 30 to protect lips against UV exposure
- Drinking lots of water during the day to stay healthy and hydrated
- Quitting smoking
- Using expert-recommended lip products with moisturizing ingredients
- Avoiding licking and biting the lips
- Restricting caffeine intake
Get Rid of Dark Lips Effectively with Eyebrow’s, Lip’s, and Scalp Clinic!
Choose us for a safe, effective, and sustainable lip pigmentation treatment. We are one of the most trusted skin clinics with decades of collective experience, treating hundreds of patients successfully. Our skin experts will examine your case, understand the underlying cause, and prescribe the correct lip pigmentation removal treatment. Call us at +91 91467 08856 to book an appointment with our specialists and discover the right lip brightening treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is lip pigmentation treatment cost in Pune?
It depends on the treatment you undergo, the complexity of your case, the expertise of the specialist, the infrastructure used, the location, etc. Hence, we recommend visiting our skin clinic in Wakad to know the cost of lip brightening treatment.
Can dark lips turn pink?
Options like masks, lip balms, scrubs, etc., can help turn the lips pink. However, their effect is usually short-lived. You can choose various natural treatment options to make your lips naturally pink. Of course, none of the treatment options work overnight. Each one requires you to stay patient and consistent for optimal outcomes.
How does lip pigmentation laser treatment work?
Once the skin specialist determines the treatment’s suitability, they cleanse the skin around the lips. After that, they apply a topical numbing cream to reduce discomfort. Once the anesthesia takes effect, the specialist positions the laser device over the lips. The laser machine directs precise pulses at the pigmented areas. It directs laser energy towards breaking down the pigmentation, thus enabling the body to eliminate it. The session lasts 40-60 minutes.
