It can often be seen that the color of some parts of the facial skin is dark, especially the area around the mouth. Which looks weird and affects your overall confidence level. In order to find out why this is so and how to get rid of this problem, we talked to dr. By Anurag Arya, Dermatologist Sparsh Clinic Meerut. Let’s find out what can be its causes and diagnosis:
1 Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation can cause darkening of the skin around the mouth, which is a very common cause. Hyperpigmentation is an excess of melanin production in certain areas of the skin, making dark spots darker than the rest of the skin.
Hyperpigmentation can affect people of all ages and skin types. Pigmentation that occurs around the mouth includes sunspots and melasma. Also known as chloasma, melasma usually affects pregnant women more due to hormonal changes.
2 weather conditions
Darkening of the skin due to sun exposure and burns or any other injury can also cause dark spots around the lips. In very cold weather, if you frequently lick your lips and the area around them, it can damage the skin tone and make it darker.
3 drugs
There are certain medications that can cause pigmentation, which can also affect the area around the mouth. These include tricyclic antidepressants and antimalarial drugs. The chemicals present in some oils can also cause hyperpigmentation as a side effect.
Addison’s disease and hemochromatosis are more serious causes of pigmentation. Addison’s disease can cause dark spots in skin folds, joints such as knees and elbows, toes and knuckles, the area around the lips and the inside of the cheeks.
4 Pigmentation caused by trauma
Trauma to the skin around the mouth can also cause skin discoloration. Acne breakouts, skin irritation, injury or any type of infection can cause hyperpigmentation. In most cases of skin injury, there is brown or black discoloration of the lesions and discoloration of the skin. This is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
5 Vitamin deficiency
Vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiencies are associated with skin hyperpigmentation. In a 2018 study, vitamin D deficiency was the leading cause of melasma in humans. This usually happens when you stay out of the sun for a long time.
How to get rid of hyperpigmentation around the mouth?
Knowing the exact cause of skin darkening makes treatment much easier. But what do dermatologists think about it? Is it easy to get rid of this skin condition?
Darkening of the skin around the mouth is medically called perioral hypermelanosis. There are many treatments available to treat this skin condition, such as Nd:YAG laser, chemical peels, etc. Pigment removers such as kojic acid and azelaic acid are equally useful.
1 peeling
If you regularly exfoliate the area around your mouth with a mild scrub, it can remove dead cells and help brighten the skin. Opt for a chemical peel because it does not harm the skin.
2 lightening creams
Skin lightening creams can be effective in reducing the dark area around the mouth. Look for ingredients like glabridin, kojic acid, vitamin C, grape seed extract, azelaic acid, arbutin, curcumin, or niacinamide. They inhibit the production of tyrosinase, which the skin needs to produce melanin. Apply as directed on the package.
Note that if you have celiac disease or a gluten allergy, avoid products containing azelaic acid derived from wheat. People with sensitive skin should also avoid products containing kojic acid.
3 laser treatment
Laser treatment is an effective way to get rid of dark areas around the mouth. Although not permanent, they can lighten the skin. Results depend on your skin care routine, sun exposure and your genes.
A special treatment known as Fraxel laser treatment is used to treat pigmentation. This is a topical, microscopic laser that stimulates elastin and collagen regeneration. It is effective in reducing dark spots and rejuvenating skin tone.
4 acid peeling
Your dermatologist may use a salicylic or glycolic acid peel to treat the skin around the pimple. These peels do not provide a permanent solution and may come back. These peels penetrate deep into the skin and restore damaged cells. Post-treatment precautions such as avoiding the sun, applying sunscreen, and protecting the skin can prolong the effect of the peel.
