Dark spots around the mouth can be for various reasons. They are annoying, but luckily you can get rid of them. Once the cause is diagnosed, you will be able to choose the right treatment for your needs!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Diagnose the Cause
Step 1. Understand the reason for this discoloration
The dark spots around the mouth are due to an abundant amount of melanin which tends to blacken the skin. This excess of melanin can be triggered by an internal or external factor in the body and is called hyperpigmentation. Triggers can include sun exposure, melasma, or skin inflammation.
- Sunspots: These are dark brown spots that can take months, or even years, to appear in the areas most exposed to the sun. Once they arise, they usually don't disappear spontaneously. This type of hyperpigmentation is confined to the surface of the skin, so you can treat it with creams and exfoliants. Use sunscreen every day to prevent sunspots from appearing or to keep them from getting worse.
- Melasma (or chloasma): is a form of hyperpigmentation characterized by dark and symmetrical spots that result from hormonal changes during the use of the contraceptive pill or during pregnancy. When these effects combine with sun exposure, dark spots may appear on the cheeks, forehead and above the upper lip. The problem tends to recur, even after treatment.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: Appears in the form of dark spots that persist as a result of burns, pimples or skin abrasions. It is especially common among people with darker complexions, but it can happen to anyone. In this case the melanin concentration is quite deep and dark spots can take 6-12 months to fade.
Step 2. Consider the climate
The skin around the mouth is drier during the winter. Some people tend to moisten this area with saliva which results in darkening it. If you have not been exposed to the sun for a long time, this discoloration may probably be due to the fact that you often pass your tongue on the area surrounding the lips.
Step 3. Be aware that this is an area where the skin is very thin
It can therefore be prone to discoloration, dry skin and wrinkles. Fortunately, these are not problems that deeply compromise skin integrity, so there is probably no need for aggressive treatment. You may be able to get rid of dark patches easily by treating or exfoliating your skin.
Step 4. Consult your dermatologist
If you can't pinpoint the cause, your dermatologist can provide you with a diagnosis and treatment. Changes affecting the skin can be warning signs of cancer and other serious skin conditions, so you should consult a specialist to ask for their opinion on your symptoms.
Method 2 of 3: Using Creams, Exfoliants and Pharmaceuticals
Step 1. Exfoliate your face daily with a light action product
The exfoliant removes dead skin cells and over time fades the dark areas that have formed around the mouth. You can use a chemical or mechanical action product. Chemical exfoliants are more suitable for treating discoloration because they do not stimulate the skin like mechanical exfoliation, which can aggravate the problem.
You can find chemical exfoliants and face scrubs in pharmacies, supermarkets and perfumeries. Read reviews before buying a product. Some can be used to treat acne, while others are better suited for other skin conditions. These are scrubs based on acids and chemicals that cleanse the skin deeply
Step 2. Use a lightening cream
You can find products based on moisturizing and lightening pigments in pharmacies and perfumeries. Buy a cream containing vitamin C, kojic acid (extracted from some species of mushrooms), arbutin (extracted from bearberry), azelaic acid (found in wheat, barley and rye), licorice extract, niacinamide or Grapeseed: These ingredients help block the action of the tyrosinase enzyme, which is needed by skin cells to produce melanin. Apply a thin layer around your mouth. Follow the instructions and do not use the lightening products for more than 3 weeks.
- Kojic acid is widely used, but can irritate sensitive skin. Be careful.
- If you have celiac disease or are gluten intolerant, avoid using azelaic acid, as it is extracted from wheat.
Step 3. Consider a dermatologist-prescribed cream in the form of a galenic preparation made by the pharmacist
If the patches don't go away, your dermatologist can prescribe a hydroquinone cream. It is a substance that limits skin pigmentation and slows down the production of tyrosinase. This way dark spots tend to fade away quickly.
- Animal studies have shown a correlation between hydroquinone and cancer, but these are animals that have been fed this drug and received it by injection. Most human treatments where hydroquinone is present are limited to topical application and no research indicates toxicity to humans. Many dermatologists dispute the correlation with cancer. In Italy (and in the European Union) its use on the skin is allowed only if it is prescribed by the dermatologist in the form of a galenic preparation composed by the pharmacist. In this case the percentage should not exceed 4% to avoid side effects as much as possible.
- Most patients show the first signs of skin lightening within a few days, and the effects are usually seen within 6 weeks. After the treatment you can switch to a normal cream to keep the complexion brighter.
Step 4. Test the laser
Generally, the Fraxel laser treatment is the most lasting and effective method to intervene on superficial skin discolorations, however the effects are not always permanent. They depend on genetic predisposition to dark spots, UV exposure and skin care. Furthermore, the laser is one of the most expensive treatments.
Step 5. Try a glycolic acid or salicylic acid peel
Your dermatologist may suggest a scrub to deeply treat damaged skin cells. Keep in mind that, even in this case, the effect is not permanent. Depending on the genetic predisposition to dark spots and UV exposure, the discoloration can recur after a few weeks or a few years. Avoid being in the sun, apply sunscreen before you go outside and take immediate action on the spots to make sure that the results of the treatment last longer.
Method 3 of 3: Use Natural Remedies
Step 1. Lighten your skin naturally with lemon juice
Get a small bowl. Squeeze 1/4 lemon inside and mix in 1 tablespoon of yogurt or honey. Wash your face with warm water to open your pores. Spread a generous layer of this mixture over the darker areas, then let it sit. Gently rinse with warm water.
- You can also wet a cotton pad with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and sugar. Rub it on the affected area for 2-3 minutes, then rinse.
- For a more aggressive treatment, cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice directly onto the dark parts. Rinse after 10 minutes.
- Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying lemon. Use these treatments in the evening when you know you can avoid UV rays altogether.
- When used all over the face, lemon juice completely lightens the complexion, not just the darker areas.
Step 2. Use aloe vera
Spread the aloe vera gel or its fresh extract on the discoloration. It will moisturize the skin and help it repair damage. Aloe vera is very effective on tanned skin.
Step 3. Mix the grated cucumber with the lime juice
Use each ingredient in equal parts trying to adequately cover the darker areas. Spread the mixture around your mouth and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. This treatment can help the skin repair the damage it has suffered.
Step 4. Make a flour and turmeric mask
Combine 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder and half a cup of yogurt. Apply the paste to the dark areas. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.
Step 5. Use an oatmeal-based exfoliator
Prepare it by carefully mixing 1 tablespoon of oatmeal, 1 teaspoon of tomato juice and 1 teaspoon of yogurt. Gently rub the mixture into your skin for 3-5 minutes. Rinse after 15 minutes.
Advice
- Hyperpigmentation can also be caused by medications, allergic reactions and injuries. Call your doctor if this happens as soon as you start a new diet, take a medicine, or apply a cosmetic.
- Don't forget to moisturize your skin.
- Be gentle. Do not scrub hard, or you could hurt yourself or leave scars around your mouth.
- Scrubbing can be annoying the first time, but you'll get used to it.
