Dark Upper Lip


A lot of people are seen complaining of dark upper lips, that has suddenly developed and has become a cause of embarrassment. What's more, even makeup fails to cover up these dark patches. Most common among women between the age of 20 and 40, it has started to become a cause of concern for many and they are constantly looking for remedies to solve this problem. It does not occur suddenly, rather it develops overtime and is noticed only when the upper lip turns completely dark.

Possible Causes
  • Hyper Pigmentation
    The most common cause is a phenomenon known as hyper pigmentation of the skin caused due to overexposure to the sun. Melanin is produced in large quantities in the upper lip area to protect it from the harmful effects of the UV rays of the sun.
  • Melasma
    It may also be due to a disorder known as Melasma that causes discoloration of the skin in patches due to the malfunction of certain melanin producing skin cells.
  • Hair Removal Methods
    Hair removal methods like plucking, threading or waxing too can result in darker upper lips due to irritation of the skin in the area.
Home Remedies for Eliminating Dark Upper Lip

People with a dusky skin tone are more prone to developing dark upper lips than people with a fair skin tone. Although there are a number of skin creams and ointments available commercially that claim to rid you of the problem, only a few of them are somewhat effective in curing the problem. Certain dermatological procedures may also claim to help, but these are quite expensive and may not yield the desired result always. It will be, therefore, wise to make use of a few home remedies.
  • Honey and Lemon Juice: One of the most popular and effective remedy is to mix some honey and lime juice and to apply it on the darkened upper lip area. This mixture can be stored in the refrigerator and used daily for application.
  • Pomegranate and Beet Juice: Extract some pomegranate juice by grinding the seeds. Add a few drops of beet juice to it and apply it on the upper lip area. Wait for it to dry and then rinse off with lukewarm water.
  • Chickpea Flour and Milk Cream: Prepare a natural skin lightener by mixing together some chickpea flour, turmeric, honey and milk cream. Whisk the ingredients into a fine paste and apply this to the upper lip area.
  • Rice Powder and Yogurt: Prepare an exfoliating scrub using a mixture of rice powder and yogurt. Use this to exfoliate the upper lip area twice daily.
  • Oatmeal and Lime Juice: Mix together a tablespoon of oatmeal, a teaspoon each of lime juice, yogurt, honey and one egg white. Whisk the ingredients together and apply the mixture on the entire face. This will help remove the tan and will lighten the upper lip skin naturally.
Using the remedies above, can lighten the upper lip, but it will surely take some time before it goes away completely. Other possible causes of dark upper lip include overuse of chemical based skin products, over bleaching upper lip hair and aging. Alcohol consumption and smoking can also lead to the darkening of the upper lip area or the development of shadow. In women, hormones and the consumption of birth control pills are most common reasons for darkening of the upper lip. This problem of upper lip hyper pigmentation may also spread to the lips, if it is not treated and cured. You should try using natural products like a homemade skin bleach instead of using chemical based products to combat this. Consult a dermatologist for medical treatment and guidance, in case none of the above remedies work.

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