Hyperpigmentation Around Mouth: Causes, Remedies, And More

Did You Know?

Melasma, post-inflammatory trauma, and age spots are the three types of hyperpigmentation.

What Is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a condition where certain areas of the skin become darker than the surrounding skin due to increased melanin production. It can occur due to excess melanin, iron deposits, carotene deposits, or abnormal skin substances (1). Skin trauma like burns, bruises, acne, or rashes may also increase melanin production and result in dark spots.

Though not serious, some individuals might find the skin discoloration troublesome, especially if the patches are large. These darkened skin patches often appear in small areas and can occur anywhere on the body. However, the skin around the mouth is a commonly affected area. Let us find out why.

Why Is The Skin Around Your Mouth Darkening?

The general causes of perioral pigmentationⁱ  XA condition that causes discoloration of the lips and mouth, usually in the form of melasma or sun spots, caused by excess sun exposure. include:

• Consuming drugs like oral contraceptives, hormone replacement medications, antimalarials, etc. (2).
• Consuming tobacco or engaging in passive/active smoking (2).
• Having pre-existing health conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis, thyroid disorders, or Addison’s disease (2).
• Having occasional exposure to heavy metals such as lead, bismuth, mercury, silver, arsenic, and gold via tattoos or due to occupation (2).
• Recent pregnancy that can cause hormonal changes (also known as Melasma) (2), (3).
• General aging and wear-and-tear of skin, which causes “liver” spots (2), (3).
• Excessive exposure to the sun, causing skin damage and skin darkening (3).
• Skin issues like acne, which can leave dark spots and acne scars behind (3).
• Injuries to the skin due to surgeries or skin burns (3).
• Having deficiencies of vitamin B12, folic acid, serum cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTHⁱ  XA hormone released by the pituitary gland that causes the adrenal glands to produce cortisol (or the stress hormone). ), or iron (4).

These are the major causes of hyperpigmentation around the mouth. We will now see how you can reduce this condition.

How To Reduce Hyperpigmentation Around Mouth?

Speak to your dermatologist before you try any new cream or home treatment. The course of treatment should factor in your genes, skincare routine, or beauty routine, and the level of sun exposure, among others.

Sunscreen

Spending long hours in direct sunlight can cause sun damage to your skin and may cause dark marks around the mouth. Hence, it is advisable to wear sunscreen and cover your body with hats, gloves, and sunglasses whenever you step out. Use sunscreens containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide on all sun-exposed skin on a daily basis (4). Reapply every four hours if you are out in the sun.

Quick Tip

Hyperpigmentation around the mouth is asymptomatic and primarily found in the lower vermillion border.

Exfoliation And Chemical Peels

Engage in a gentle exfoliation ritual or use chemical peels such as salicylic acid to lighten the skin (5). These methods work by getting rid of the dead skin cells and unwanted melanin (6). Make sure to not scrape your skin while exfoliating or using a chemical peel. Scraping can worsen the condition. You should also stay away from the sun and apply sunscreen for further protection.

Skin-Lightening Creams

Investing in high-quality skin lightening creams with specific ingredients can combat pigmentation around the mouth.

Glabridinⁱ  XA component of licorice oil that is believed to reduce skin inflammation and regulate melanin production. supposedly has whitening properties, as does kojic acid (7), (8). Other ingredients known for their skin-lightening effects include grape seed extract, arbutin, vitamins C and E, soy, mulberry, and coffee extract (9).

OTC Ointments

OTC medicines containing hydroquinone can help treat hyperpigmentation. Hydroquinone restricts melanin production and allows the dark spots to fade with time (9). Please note that hydroquinone must be used under the supervision of a doctor and not for longer than six months at any given time.

Laser Treatment

Fractional laser treatments can lighten the skin. It also can be used to treat certain signs of skin aging (10).

In addition to these conventional treatment methods, you may also opt for home remedies to fight uneven skin tone. We have listed them below.

6 Natural Remedies To Treat Darken Skin Around Mouth

The best part about these ingredients is you can find them in your kitchen. Do a patch test to check if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.

1. Turmeric

Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic agent that can lighten skin over time. Topical application of turmeric can reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well (11).

You Will Need

• A few drops of water/milk ½ a teaspoon of turmeric
• 2 teaspoons of gram flour, for better consistency

What To Do

• Mix the ingredients and form a thick paste.
• Apply this mixture to the affected area.
• Let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes and rinse with cool water.

2. Potato Juice

Potato contains azelaic acid that may help reduce pigmentation spotting related to breakouts. This chemical can also lower itching and skin inflammation (12).

You Will Need

• 1 raw potato

What To Do

• Grate the potato.
• Squeeze it to extract the juice.
• Apply this juice around your mouth and massage in a gentle circular motion.
• Let it sit for 20 minutes and rinse with cold water.

Himanshi, a blogger, shared how she used grated potato juice to remove tanning. She writes, “Initially, I was told by a friend to put slices of potato on face/arms etc., but I found that a little difficult and ineffective as the slices could not stick to skin and secrete juice, so I grated potato and put it as a mask over the face for 15-20 minutes and washed with cold water. That worked (i)!”

3. Honey And Lemon Scrub

Lemon juice or lemon extract acts as a potent skin bleaching agent and can help lighten the skin (13). Honey is also useful in the treatment of skin wounds and burns (14).

You Will Need

• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon of honey

What To Do

• Squeeze the juice of a lemon. Mix the honey with it to make a paste.
• Gently massage this paste on the dark patch around your lips for about 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can leave it on overnight too.
• Rinse with cool water.

Apply this pack in the evening to avoid sun exposure (as exposing to the sun with lemon on your skin may cause burns). Plus, always follow up with a moisturizer as lemon can dry your skin out. Do a patch test before applying lemon if you have sensitive skin.

4. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera contains aloesin, which can help lighten the skin around the mouth (15).

You Will Need

• Pure aloe vera gel

What To Do

• Apply pure aloe vera gel to the dark areas around your mouth before bedtime.
• Rinse with cool water the next morning.

Alternatively, you can also consume aloe vera gel in capsule form. But make sure you speak to your dermatologist first.

5. Glycerin And Rose Water

Anecdotal evidence suggests that glycerin may help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dark rings, and dryness. Consult your doctor for further information.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of glycerin
• 1 tablespoon of rose water

What To Do

• Mix the two ingredients.
• Gently massage onto the affected area.
• Leave it on overnight and wash in the morning with cool water.

6. Oatmeal

Oatmeal possesses antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties (16). Some believe it may help reduce pigmentation, though more research is warranted.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of oatmeal
• The pulp of ½ a tomato
• A few drops of olive oil

What To Do

• Take the oatmeal and grind it.
• Add the olive oil and tomato pulp to the powder to make a paste.
• Apply the paste to the affected areas and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Once it has dried, dampen the face a little and gently scrub it off.
• Repeat this twice a week for best results.

These were some effective home remedies you could try to potentially reduce the dark circles around your mouth. Let us now look at some useful, time-tested hacks that may possibly help prevent hyperpigmentation or reduce its risk.

Expert Tips To Reduce The Risk Of Darkness Around The Mouth

• Include acai berry, green tea, pomegranate, strawberry, and soy into your daily diet. These foods possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and are rich in flavonoidsⁱ  XPlant-based chemicals with antioxidant properties that help reduce inflammation and boost immunity. (9), (16).
• If you are deficient in vitamin B3, opt for a topical cream that contains 2% niacinamideⁱ  XA form of vitamin B3 found in many moisturizers and foods that helps form proteins in the skin and guard against skin damage. . It can significantly reduce the total area of hyperpigmentation and increase skin lightness after 4 weeks of treatment (9).
• Try to avoid ultraviolet (UV) exposure by wearing hats and clothing when you are in the sun. Use a high-quality sunscreen and reapply every four hours.
• If natural treatments do not show results, try topical treatment options such as retinoids, azelaic acid, hydroquinone, chemical peels, and cosmetics after speaking to an expert in dermatology (4). As mentioned earlier, do a patch test to check for any allergic reactions.
• Keep tracking the treatment progress by capturing high-quality photographs of the darkened area.

Infographic: A Simple Guide To Treating Hyperpigmentation Around The Mouth

Excess melanin around the mouth causes hyperpigmentation. While it is not uncommon, many might try to conceal it using makeup. Understanding the root cause and addressing it is key to treating this condition. We have compiled a simple guide on the causes of dark patches around the mouth and the simple home remedies you can use to treat them. Check out the infographic below to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Are you struggling with hyperpigmentation around your mouth? Get the latest update on oral tranexamic acid, products, and diet to help reduce the discoloration.

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Dr. Priya GillMBBCH, MRCP

 

Dr. Priya Gill is a consultant dermatologist in Klang, Malaysia, with over 16 years of experience. She specializes in the management of all medical and surgical dermatology issues and has a special interest in laser therapy and phototherapy. She has more than 25 publications in local and international journals to her name. She is passionate about public and patient education...more

Annie JangamBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Annie Jangam is a researcher-turned-content writer with 11 years of experience. She enjoys dissecting complex clinical studies and shuffling through the scientific jargon to make science interesting and easy to understand. Her scientific aptitude and love for writing paved the way to pursue a career in writing research-backed articles on skin care and hair care. Her expertise stems from her...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. Her interest in staying updated on beauty and lifestyle...more