The color of the skin especially in our lips varies from person to person. However, We all desire rosy lips that look bright and feel soft to touch, don’t we? plus it is also important to know that no tone is better or superior to the others. There are so many methods to lighten your dark lips.
However, sometimes, the color of your lips may symbolize that they need more attention. Most of the time we overlook that condition and we settle up covering them with lipstick just to hide your dark, pigmented lips.
Gradually some people promote discoloration on the lips. This discoloration or pigmentation can be the result of medical as well as certain lifestyle factors. Well, it is also possible to step out with your real lips, and stay away from the layers of lipstick wondering how?
Keep reading, as we give you all the causes behind this problem and solutions in this article.
Causes of dark lips
Generally, we all have a natural distinction in our lip color. In our body, a pigment called melanin gives the skin its color. Usually, in those people, melanin is less that generates a lighter skin tone, whereas higher melanin means a darker skin tone.
When our skin produces more melanin than usual, it can lead to hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation causes patches of skin to develop that are darker than the skin around them. A common example of hyperpigmentation is age spots. It can affect almost any area of the body, including the lips.
Causes of hyperpigmentation include:
Our Lifestyle
Daily lifestyle of us enhances the chances of hyperpigmentation of lips. One of the most common causes of dark lips is smoking. Smoking effect our lip’s color directly. Nicotine and benzpyrene in tobacco smoke can encourage melanin production in the skin.
Hyperpigmentation of the lips can occur due to dehydration or even drinking excessive amounts of coffee.
Sun exposure
Another important reason for hyperpigmentation is harmful UV rays. Revealing skin to the sun triggers the body to create melanin to absorb the ultraviolet rays. This is the natural process of protection of the skin from some of the damage that sunlight causes.
It further causes the skin to tan and also darken the lips colour. Lip balms with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher can protect the lips from sun damage.
Specific medications
Some medications can cause hyperpigmentation. These include antimalarial drugs and some antibiotics such as minocycline.
But in this case, the skin should return to its usual color once the course of medication finishes, but for some, the hyperpigmentation may continue.Always take advices from the medical professionals before using any medications.
How to protect your lips from darkening?
Use Sunscreen
Regularly use sunscreen whether you are outdoors or indoors. Please make sure you use it on your lips as well to prevent the UV rays of the sun from causing hyperpigmentation. Before using a lip balm make sure that whatever lip balm you are using that contains a proper index of SVF.
Massage with Petroleum
A petroleumjelly can wonder to your lips. Not only the petroleum, massaging your lips with extra virgin coconut oil or olive oil can increase blood circulation to the area and give them a healthier pink hue instead of a dark colour. Scrub your lips with one of these oils two or five times a day for best and prompt results.
Medical Treatments
When you already got the dark patches to your lips and seeking medical help. Then Laser treatments or hydroquinone are your options for treating dark lips.
This treatment works by controlling the enzyme that is effective for the production of melanin. But if you do not take care of your lips gradually your lips will darken again.
Hydrate
Absorbing enough fluids is one of the best ways to look after the skin. The lips can be one of the first areas of the body to look dry and parched. Add a slice of cucumber or lemon to a glass of water for a delicious and refreshing drink.
Natural Remedies
Lemon and Honey
Lemon is acknowledged to be a bleaching tool Also, lemons are recognized for their skin lightening properties. Lemon juice reduces the production of melanin according to studies.
When you mixed lemon juice with honey or glycerine, lemons can not only lighten your lips but also help to soften them. The citric acid in lemons can exfoliate and remove dead skin.
How to use
Take a teaspoon each of lemon juice and honey or glycerine. Mix well and apply it to your lips. Leave it on for 10-20 minutes and rinse with water. Also, you can apply freshly squeezed lemon juice to your lips and massage them gently. You may use every night before bed for better results.
Cucumber
Cucumber contains antioxidants and silica-rich compounds. Also, Cucumber is appreciated for its hydrating properties. This will helps to remove the dead skin cell and dryness of your lips.
Cucumber contains lots of essential vitamins and minerals. These compounds may help fade pigmentation and lighten dark skin tone. It is quite powerful on dry lips in summers.
How to use
Take a few slices of cucumber and grind them. Apply the paste to your lips. Moreover, you use some slices or juice. Leave the juice for 10 – 20 minutes and then wash it off. You may do this daily.
Sugar Scrub
Sugar works as an excellent scrub to exfoliate lips. Also, it helps to get rid of undesired dead skin cells. When mixed with honey and coconut oil, it becomes a great moisturizing lip scrub. It is one of the easiest things that can be made at home. If you have done it properly, you will see the results within a week.
How to use
Take two tablespoons of sugar and mix it with two spoons of honey and coconut oil to make a thick paste. Use this mixture on your lips to exfoliate them. Like your skin, your lips also need to be exfoliated regularly. Try this scrub two or three times a week for lighter lips.
Bit Root Mask
Beetroot also contains a deep purple ingredient that helps purify and lighten lips. If you’ve eaten this vegetable, you already know how it stains not just your lips, tongue, and teeth a bright pink but your clothes and fingers too. Thus Beetroot works to clear up the pigmentation of your lips. Beetroot juice has natural agents, which lighten lips.
How to use
Firstly, take two tablespoons of beetroots juice mixed with two spoons of honey to make a thick paste. Then sprinkle your lips with some water and massage this mixture over your lips. Leave it on overnight. In the morning, you’ll notice your lips turning soft and pinkish. Continue this for a week to get naturally pink lips.
Pomegranate
According to some studies that a component in pomegranates called tyrosinase may help lighten the skin colour. Also, pomegranate extracts were found to reduce activity and melanin production on the skin.
Daily use of the pomegranate will help to reduce melanin production. Thus these properties may ultimately lighten dark lips.
How to use
Firstly, you can make a paste of one tablespoon of pomegranate seeds with one teaspoon of rose water and one tablespoon of cream. Apply as a mask on your lips till your lip color gets lighter. Use this mask daily to lighten your dark lips.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has healthy fatty acid and moisturizing properties. These properties can assist keep your lips soft and flexible. Additionally, this will help to prevent them from getting dry and darker, which usually happens with skin dehydration.
This provides the lips with the required oil to make them soft. You can mix with some quintessential oil that speeds up the process.
How to use
Firstly, take two tablespoons of coconut oil mixed with two spoons of lemon juice to make a paste. Take this mixture onto your index finger and apply it to your lips. Leave it for a few minutes until it becomes dry. Do this 1-2 times daily to lighten your dark lips
Prevention Tips
- Peel your lips regularly.
- Drink plenty of fluids daily to stay hydrated.
- Use a lip balm with SPF 40 or above.
- Always make sure to use low-quality lip cosmetics.
- Avoid absorbing on your lips constantly as it makes them very dry.
Dark lips are a very common condition faced by us all over the world. Soft and pinkish lips are something we all are seeking for. Not only does it improve your appearance, but also is a sign that your lips are healthy.
Despite, with a little care and attention, they can be checked. If you have dark lips, you can choose one or more of the natural ways mentioned above to restore them to their original pink colour. Dark pigmented lips are a concern to many, but with simple natural remedies, you can easily lighten your lips, make them soft and pink.
Disclaimer:
The information on this article has been collected from internet sources and is provided only as a guide. Natural skincare products are not a medication, and we can only make a recommendation for the suitability of our remedies in certain skin conditions. The material contained in this article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dermatologist or other qualified health care provider.