Pigment spots are local darkening of the skin surface, which is a consequence of impaired melanin production. In women, pigmentation most often appears on the face, in particular in the lip area. Hyperpigmentation above the upper lip is not only a discomfort regarding appearance, but also a reason to take a closer look at your health. If the cause of pigmentation is identified and treated, the spots will disappear on their own. But there are also cosmetic procedures that can help get rid of pigmentation above the upper lip.
Why do they appear?
Let's figure out why pigmentation appears above the upper lip. Any dark spots appear due to excess melanin synthesis. This pigment is “responsible” for the color of human skin. The more melanin, the darker the skin tone. And since pigment production increases under the influence of sunlight , the skin darkens after tanning.
But the appearance of age spots is not always associated solely with solar radiation. The following reasons can cause this defect:
- hormonal disorders , such spots may appear due to dysfunction of the thyroid gland, hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause;
- use of medications containing hormones , including birth control pills;
- Addison's disease , in which the functions of the adrenal glands are impaired.
The main reason for the formation of pigmentation on the upper lip is hormonal imbalance. But the predisposing factor is solar radiation. Therefore, spots appear mainly in spring and summer, and may fade in winter.
Sometimes dark spots on the skin appear after damage has healed. For example, a spot may remain in the place of a healed deep pimple. Sometimes pigmentation appears after hair removal of the mustache using creams. Darkening of the skin reacts to contact with the chemicals included in the cream.
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Causes of pigmentation in the summer
Every person’s skin contains 3 pigments that determine its color: hemoglobin, carotene and, most importantly, melanin. The amount of the latter determines the color of the skin. Those with dark skin have a lot of melanin, while those with light skin have the opposite.
The purpose of melanin is to protect the skin from exposure to ultraviolet rays, which can cause damage to the body as a whole. In the summer, a threat to humans is ultraviolet radiation, the action of which is blocked by melanin, as a result its level increases, and the skin acquires a dark shade - tan.
But the lack of this pigment in the body leads to the formation of pigmentation. That is, melanin is distributed unevenly over the skin, as it should when tanning, but locally. This, in turn, can cause darkening of the skin above the upper lip.
How to get rid of it?
It must be said that it is extremely difficult to effectively disguise pigment spots above the upper lip. To eliminate the defect, some girls try to use a dark foundation, but the result is disastrous. Pigment spots appear through the layer of cosmetics and look even more unaesthetic.
To cover up stains, you need to use special corrective products - concealers. Moreover, the color of the concealer must be chosen depending on the color of the stain. After all, pigment formations can have different shades - from red to dark brown.
Constantly putting on complex makeup is not the best solution. Therefore, you can try to remove pigment spots above the lip. Let's figure out how this can be done.
Home methods for removing skin pigmentation
deal with women’s mustaches yourself at home, using grandmothers’ recipes that use natural whitening agents: 1. Lemon mask To prepare the mask, squeeze the juice from 1 lemon, then mix it with yeast and olive oil. The proportion of all components should be 1:2:1. Apply the finished mixture to the problem area and keep it there for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and lubricate the skin with moisturizer. 2. Parsley juice Take a bunch of greens and squeeze the juice out of it. Then soak a sponge in it and wipe the pigmented epidermis with it. After 30 minutes, wash your face and apply the cream you usually use to your skin.
Any home remedy can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, before trying it on yourself, test it on the bend of your elbow.
Another option for using parsley to lighten the epidermis is a lotion made from its decoction. To prepare a bleaching agent, pour boiling water over a bunch of greens and leave until the broth has cooled. Then filter the resulting product and soak a gauze cloth in it. Next, apply it to your face and remove it after 20-25 minutes, then rinse your face with warm water and lubricate it with nourishing cream. 3. Cucumber mask for sensitive skin If your skin is sensitive, a cucumber mask . To prepare it, crush 3 cucumber rings to a paste, then squeeze out all the juice through cheesecloth or a strainer. Add 5 ml of apple cider vinegar and 5 ml of rose water to this, then mix everything thoroughly. Then take this mixture with a cotton swab and apply it to the problem area. Keep this mask on all night, and in the morning, wash well and apply sunscreen. You can achieve skin lightening by repeating this procedure every night for 14 days. Annoying spots above the upper lip , reminiscent of a man's mustache, can ruin your mood even on the sunniest day. But such skin pigmentation can be easily eliminated. The main thing is to know the reason for its occurrence. If it is a malfunction of the thyroid gland, liver disease or other health problems, it is necessary to cure them first, the spots will then disappear on their own. And if the main “culprit” of the dark line above the upper lip is the sun or age-related changes, then salon and home procedures can help with this. They safely and quickly lighten the pigmented area, thereby evening out the overall skin tone.
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Where to begin?
To get rid of pigment spots above the upper lip, you need to make an appointment with an endocrinologist. You will need to undergo a full examination to identify the causes of the spots. To do this, you will have to undergo a series of tests to find out if there are any malfunctions in the functions:
- pituitary gland;
- adrenal glands;
- ovaries.
If the examination reveals problems, treatment will be required. Perhaps this will be replacement therapy, that is, you will need to take medications to restore normal hormonal balance. After restoration of health, the spots most often go away on their own without taking additional measures.
If there are no health problems, and the appearance of spots is associated with an excessive love of tanning in a solarium or on the beach, then to eliminate them you can use the capabilities of modern cosmetology, or try to remove spots at home, using affordable and safe folk remedies.
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Laser procedure
Removing pigmentation using a laser beam is the most effective and safe method. But it must be carried out by a highly qualified specialist. The fact is that you need to set the parameters for laser processing individually. If the impact is too weak, the pigmentation will not disappear. If the cosmetologist chooses a method of exposure that is too intense, a burn may form on the skin, and a scar will then remain in its place.
The essence of the procedure is the impact of a laser beam on the cells that produce melanin. Thus, the process eliminates the very reason for the appearance of spots - improperly functioning melanocytes. At the same time, healthy tissues are not damaged, so the skin is restored quite quickly.
The procedure will take from 5 to 15 minutes, and a tingling sensation will be felt during laser exposure. After completion of the session, the skin at the treatment site will turn red, then slight peeling will appear. After about a week, the skin will be completely restored, and the spots will become noticeably lighter. To completely get rid of pigmentation, 2-5 procedures are needed.
Tips for girls who decide to undergo laser whitening:
- It is recommended to carry out bleaching in late autumn and winter;
- at least a month before the appointed time you cannot sunbathe, including in a solarium;
- After the procedure, be sure to use sunscreen, even if the weather is cloudy;
- in order for the skin to heal faster, it is recommended to apply a thin layer of Bepanten or Panthenol to the treated area after the procedure;
- Until the skin is completely restored, it is strictly forbidden to use exfoliating agents - scrubs, peels, etc.
Chemical peels
Depending on the depth of the pigment, superficial or medium peeling can be used to remove pigmentation.
Glycolic peeling is superficial; this procedure is practically painless and safe. To perform the procedure, formulations based on glycolic acid are used; in addition, lactic and fruit acids can be included in the mixture. Under the influence of acids, the top layer of cells containing melanin is exfoliated. In addition, glycolic acid has a depressing effect on melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment.
Removes pigmentation and retinoic peeling . The drug contains retinoic, kojic, phytic and azelaic acids. This procedure helps stabilize melanin production.
If the pigment is deeply embedded, medium peeling . This is a less harmless procedure, so it should be carried out by an experienced specialist. Most often, formulations based on triloacetic acid are used.
Table of contents
- Etiology and pathogenesis
- Clinical manifestations
- Principles of treatment
Deep pigmentation is a congenital or acquired hypermelanosis, in which the bulk of excess pigment lies in the dermal layer of the skin.
In our company you can purchase the following equipment for removing deep pigmentation:
- M22 (Lumenis)
- Fraxel (Solta Medical)
Whitening creams
You can purchase ready-made whitening cream at the pharmacy. Choose cosmetics that contain:
- vitamins;
- arbutin;
- azelaic acid;
- kojic acid.
All these components help stop the production of melanin and lighten the skin. To remove pigment spots above the lip, you should not use creams with hydroquinone, as this substance is unsafe, and it is not recommended to apply it to the thin skin around the mouth.
Whitening creams should be used regularly, exclusively in the evening. The course of application is no more than 20 days.
If you wish, you can make a homemade whitening cream from natural products. A composition based on honey is very effective.
Lightly heat a tablespoon of castor oil, adding to it the same amount of honey and a teaspoon of Vaseline. Stir until smooth and add five drops of iodine tincture to the warm mass. Stir again. Store in the refrigerator and apply to dark spots every evening until results are achieved.
Homemade masks
You can whiten your skin with masks that are easy to prepare at home. It is recommended to make such masks every other day.
- Parsley . Parsley juice is an excellent whitening agent. It is necessary to chop the greens very finely (it is better to use a blender) and mix the resulting puree with an equal volume of sour cream. Apply to pigmented skin for half an hour. You can prepare a decoction from parsley leaves, freeze it in molds and wipe your face with an ice cube every day, paying special attention to the places where age spots are located.
- Dairy products . To prepare whitening masks, you can use yogurt, kefir, natural yogurt, sour cream or cottage cheese. All these products contain lactic acid, which effectively neutralizes melanin. Apply the product (or a mixture of products, for example, cottage cheese mixed with kefir or sour cream) to pigmented skin for half an hour. To increase efficiency, you can mix fermented milk products with cucumber or parsley juice.
- Citrus juice . Lemon juice whitens well, but if the skin reacts poorly to contact with it (flakes, turns red), then it is better to replace the lemon with lime or grapefruit. Citrus juice should not be applied in its pure form to the area above the lip. It is better to prepare a mask based on it. Take a packet (11 grams) of dry yeast, mix the product with vegetable oil and citrus fruit juice. We take 5 ml of both products. Apply the resulting mass to the areas of pigmentation for twenty minutes.
Preventive measures
As you know, prevention is always easier and cheaper than subsequent treatment. To avoid the appearance of pigmentation above the upper lip, it is recommended:
- undergo regular preventive medical examinations;
- if problems with hormonal levels are identified, it is necessary to be treated, following all the doctor’s instructions;
- Carefully protect your skin from the sun; for this it is recommended to constantly use sunscreen. Sun protection is needed not only on vacation, but also in the city.
What pigmentation around the lips may indicate
If the lip changes appearance and darkens regardless of periods of solar activity and this happens at any time of the year, you need to consult a doctor to identify the reasons. Tests and a thorough examination will help find the true cause of dark spots on the face. The diagnostic complex includes the following examinations:
- analysis of testosterone production levels;
- assessment of female hormones to identify irregularities in the menstrual cycle;
- clarification of pregnancy;
- liver tests to exclude or identify functional disorders in the functioning of the organ;
- Ultrasound of the liver and thyroid gland;
- Analysis of urine;
- assessment of cortisol levels;
- study of thyroid hormones.
Research is carried out instrumentally and with the study of hormonal levels. If the cause of a cosmetic defect lies in the insufficiency of the gastrointestinal tract, liver or gall bladder, appropriate treatment is prescribed. As a result of therapy, the brown pigment may disappear on its own and forever.
