Dark circles around the mouth are caused due to hyperpigmentation or when you have excess melanin in certain areas of the skin. Hyperpigmentation can result from sun exposure or endocrine diseases. You can prevent dark skin around the mouth by avoiding excessive sun exposure and treating any inflammation or disease. If you already have dark areas around your mouth, take steps to lighten those areas and even remove them from your skin.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Diagnosing Dark Areas
Step 1. Understand why you have dark spots around your mouth
These spots are often the result of a darkening of the amount of melanin in certain areas of the skin. Melanin can be caused by triggers from inside and outside the body. This condition of melanin is called hyperpigmentation. These triggers can include sun exposure, melasma and skin inflammation.
- Sunspots: These dark brown spots can last months or even years in sun-exposed areas. When these spots appear, they usually won't fade unless they are treated. These pigment clusters are near the surface of the skin so you can treat them with creams and scrubbers. Use sunscreen to prevent sun spots or to keep them from getting worse.
- Melasma (Chloasma): Dark, symmetrical spots from hormonal changes during birth control use or pregnancy. When these hormones combine with sun exposure, dark spots can appear on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. This form of hyperpigmentation tends to reappear easily even if you treat it.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: If you have a darker skin tone, you will have dark spots after burns, acne or other skin injuries. In this case, the melanin is deep in the skin. These dark spots will fade after three to six months.
Step 2. Pay attention to the climate
The skin around the mouth is drier during winter. Some people tend to wet the area with their saliva which can darken the skin. If you don't travel much during the day, you may be over-wetting the area around your mouth.
Step 3. Recognize that the skin around your mouth is thin
This can cause discoloration, dry skin and wrinkling of the mouth. These problems will not penetrate the skin so you do not need intensive treatment. You can get rid of discoloration easily by taking care of your skin and exfoliating.
Step 4. Visit a dermatologist
If you're not sure what's causing the dark areas around the mouth, a dermatologist may be able to diagnose the problem and suggest treatment. Changes in the skin can be an early warning sign of skin cancer and other serious illnesses. Therefore, it is wise for you to visit a doctor to check for symptoms that occur in anticipation.
Method 2 of 3: Creams, Scrubs and Recipes
Step 1. Exfoliate daily with a light facial scrubber
The exfoliant will remove dead skin cells and can fade dark areas around the mouth. Apply a damp body washcloth to a pod-sized facial scrubber. Gently rub the washcloth over your face to remove dead pigmented skin cells and cleanse the skin.
You can find facial scrubbers at drug stores, grocery stores, and toiletries and body care stores. Read product reviews before buying. Some scrubs work to treat acne and other skin conditions. These scrubbers often use acids and chemicals to deep cleanse the skin
Step 2. Use an over-the-counter skin lightening cream
You can find moisturizing and pigmented skin lightening products at drugstores and beauty supply stores. Look for creams that contain Vitamin C, kojic acid (which is extracted from certain fungal species), arbutin (which is extracted from the bearberry plant), azelaic acid (found in wheat, barley and barley), Chinese cinnamon extract, niacinamide or grape seed extract.: these ingredients can help block the enzyme tyrosinase, which is needed by skin cells to produce melanin. Spread a little cream around the mouth. Follow the instructions and do not use this skin lightening product for more than three weeks.
Kojic acid is a popular treatment but can be irritating to sensitive skin. Be careful
Step 3. Try using a prescription cream
If the freckles cannot be removed, the dermatologist will suggest a drug-based cream such as hydroquinone. Hydroquinone limits pigment-producing cells and slows down the production of tyrosinase in the skin. Dark spots tend to disappear quickly with low pigment production.
- Animal studies have linked hydroquinone to cancer. However, the animals were fed and injected with the drug. Most human treatments stop at topical application and there are no studies showing toxicity in humans. Many dermatologists deny any connection with the cancer.
- The first signs of skin lightening in most patients occur after a few days and the effects usually take effect after six weeks. After the treatment, you can change the use to a cream-free to maintain the light pigment.
Step 4. Try laser treatment
Laser treatments such as Fraxel tend to be the most durable and effective way to treat discolorations located near the skin's surface. However, laser treatment for pigments is not always permanent. The effect of the treatment depends on genetics, UV exposure, and skin care habits. Laser treatment also tends to be more expensive than other treatments.
Step 5. Try a glycolic or salicylic acid peel
Dermatologists can suggest these peels to reach and treat damaged cells in the skin. Note that this treatment is not permanent. This depends on your genetic predisposition for dark spots and how much UV exposure you get. The spots may reappear in the coming weeks or years at the latest. Stay out of the sun and treat dark spots right away to ensure that the treatment lasts longer.
Method 3 of 3: Natural Medicine
Step 1. Lighten the skin naturally by using lemon juice
Mix the juice of 1/4 lemon with 1 tablespoon of yogurt or honey in a small bowl. Wash your face with warm water to open the pores. Apply the lemon mixture thickly to the dark area and then leave it as a mask to dry. Gently rinse the skin with warm water until clean.
- You can also apply a makeup sponge with two tablespoons of lemon juice and sugar. Scrub the dark area for 2-3 minutes then rinse with water.
- For a tougher treatment, slice a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the dark skin. Rinse after 10 minutes.
- Avoid sun exposure after using lemon. Do this treatment at night when you won't see UV light for a while.
Step 2. Use Aloe vera
Apply Aloe Vera gel or its fresh extract to the dark area. This substance will moisturize the skin and help restore it. Aloe Vera is most effective for dark skin caused by sun exposure.
Step 3. Mix the grated cucumber and lime juice
Use a balanced amount of each ingredient so that it is sufficient to cover any dark areas. Apply the mixture around your mouth and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. This treatment can help restore the skin.
Step 4. Use a flour and turmeric mask
Prepare a paste using one gram of flour, one teaspoon of turmeric powder and half a cup of curd. Apply the paste to the dark area. Leave it for 20 minutes then rinse with warm water.
Step 5. Use a buckwheat grinder
Prepare a scrubber with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of oatmeal, 1 teaspoon of tomato juice and 1 teaspoon of curd. Mix the ingredients evenly. Gently rub it into the skin for 3-5 minutes. Rinse after 15 minutes.
Tips
- Don't forget to moisturize!
- Rub gently. Do not rub too hard or you will cause pain or sores around the mouth.
- The scrubbing will hurt the first time you try it, but you'll get used to it.
