Smoking can cause many side effects, including darkening lips over time. To lighten them, it is important to exfoliate them regularly to remove the surface layer that has been damaged and stained by tobacco, while stimulating circulation. After the scrub you can use different treatments and remedies to rehydrate the lips, restore the natural pigments and keep their rosy color.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Exfoliate the Lips to Eliminate Dark Spots
Step 1. Remove dark skin and stimulate circulation with a cinnamon scrub
Mix 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of cinnamon with a drop of lemon juice in a small bowl. Pick up a small amount of scrub with your index finger and start gently rubbing your lips. Depending on the sensitivity of the skin, you can continue to exfoliate them for up to 10 minutes, to remove dead skin, stimulate circulation and invigorate them naturally.
- You can replace lemon juice with a drop of vitamin E oil to promote cell regeneration and development.
- Lemon juice helps regulate the production of melanin so that the lips can regain their natural pink hue.
Step 2. Scrub your lips with a soft-bristled toothbrush while moisturizing them with petroleum jelly
Spread the petroleum jelly on the bristles of the toothbrush and rub it gently on your lips. Make small circular movements to remove dead cells and stimulate blood circulation. Continue scrubbing for 3-4 minutes, then rinse your lips to remove the petroleum jelly.
Make sure your toothbrush has soft bristles and scrub your lips very gently so they don't irritate or bleed
Step 3. Make a homemade scrub with sugar, olive oil and lemon juice
Combine one teaspoon (5g) of sugar, 1-2 drops of olive oil and a couple of drops of lemon juice in a small bowl. Mix the ingredients until you get a paste, then spread it over your lips and rub them in small circular motions to lighten them and remove dead skin cells. After exfoliating them for a few minutes, rinse them off to get rid of the sugar.
- After gently rubbing your lips for about 3-5 minutes, you can leave the scrub on for 10-20 minutes to allow time for the oil and lemon juice to soak in and promote skin healing.
- If you prefer, you can replace olive oil with honey to moisturize your lips as you exfoliate them.
Step 4. Make a scrub with baking soda and lemon juice to lighten and revive your lip color
Pour 2 teaspoons (10 g) of baking soda into a small bowl and add a few drops of water until you get a thick, pasty mixture. Massage the scrub on your lips to exfoliate them and remove the damaged and darkened surface cells from the smoke. Gently scrub for about 3-5 minutes and then rinse.
Since baking soda can dehydrate your lips, moisturize them with lip balm after scrubing. If you prefer, you can use petroleum jelly or an emollient and elasticising oil such as almond oil
Method 2 of 3: Apply a Localized Treatment to Lighten the Lips
Step 1. Prepare a lightening treatment with honey and lemon
Mix a dash of honey and half a teaspoon of lemon extract in a small bowl. Apply the ointment to your lips and leave it on for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Remove the mixture from your skin with a soft, clean cloth.
- Thanks to its astringent properties, lemon extract helps to lighten lips, while honey moisturizes and heals damaged skin.
- You can repeat the treatment as many times as you want until you find the natural color of the lips.
Step 2. Use rose petals, cream and honey to gently moisturize and lighten lips
Crush a couple of rose petals in the mortar. After you've pounded them well, add a small amount of honey and cream, then mix until you get a thick, pasty mixture. Apply the treatment to your lips and leave it on for about 15-20 minutes. When finished, remove it with water and a clean cloth.
- Rose petals lighten the lips and also nourish them.
- Repeat the treatment several times a week for the best possible result.
Step 3. Try a beetroot night treatment to color and lighten lips
Combine one tablespoon (15ml) of beet juice with one tablespoon (15ml) of honey in a small bowl. Massage the mixture into your lips with a cotton swab until they are completely covered. Leave it on overnight and wash it off with water in the morning.
- Beetroot lightens the lips, also giving a soft pink color.
- Repeat the process every night for a week or until the lips regain their natural color.
Step 4. Prevent the damage of smoking with pomegranate juice
Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of coconut oil with 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of pomegranate juice in a small bowl. If necessary, briefly heat the coconut oil to make it liquid again before mixing it with the juice. Rub the mixture into your lips for about thirty seconds and then rinse them off with water.
- Pomegranate juice naturally lightens lips. It also blocks the production of melanin, which makes the lips darker.
- Reapply pomegranate juice once a day for a month or as long as needed.
Step 5. Take advantage of the lightening properties of red fruits
Mash a strawberry or 3 raspberries in a small bowl, then add a few drops of honey or aloe vera gel, both of which are highly moisturizing, until you get a thick, mellow blend. Once ready, apply the treatment to your lips and leave it on for about twenty minutes before rinsing.
In addition to giving the lips a pink hue, strawberries and raspberries have a high content of minerals and vitamins (such as vitamin C) that help keep the skin healthy
Method 3 of 3: Prevent Your Lips from Darkening
Step 1. Stop smoking if you don't want your lips to reveal that you are a smoker and want to keep them healthy
The best way to prevent them from darkening from smoking is to quit this bad habit. Quitting smoking can be difficult. A lot of willpower is required and it can take some support, but it is definitely worth it to improve the health of the whole body, as well as to have healthier and more rosy lips.
If you are a smoker, know that there are support groups and a wide range of products to help you quit
Step 2. Keep your body hydrated to limit the harmful effects of smoking
Try to get enough water (or other moisturizing fluids) to keep your lips constantly hydrated so that they are able to defend themselves against the harmful effects of smoking. When lips are dehydrated they tend to crack easily, making them more susceptible to damage from smoking. By providing your body with the right level of hydration, you can prevent your lips from darkening.
- The daily fluid requirement varies from individual to individual and depends on numerous factors, including health status, level of physical activity and environmental conditions. On average, a man's fluid requirement is around 3.7 liters per day, while for women it is around 2.7 liters per day.
- The fluids that help maintain proper hydration include water and other moisturizing drinks, but not only; foods that have a high content of liquids, such as cucumbers and berries, also contribute to meeting the daily water requirement.
Step 3. Use lipstick only on special occasions to prevent your lips from darkening further
Like cigarettes, lipstick applied daily can cause lips to darken over time, especially if they are already damaged by smoking. Therefore, if you are unable to quit smoking, try to use lipstick only occasionally to prevent your lips from becoming even darker.
If you really can't help but use lipstick, choose one enriched with lightening and moisturizing substances, such as jojoba oil, shea butter or vitamin E
Step 4. Reduce your consumption of dark colored drinks that can stain your lips
Dark-colored drinks, such as black tea or coffee, tend to darken lips that are already darkened by smoke. By reducing consumption you can limit its effects.
