Pigmentation around the mouth is a common aesthetic skin complaint. If you're fed up with using concealers and still can’t perfectly hide the dark patches around your mouth, it’s time to switch to the proper skincare routine, the right products, and professional skin treatment. This information from the best dermatologist in Bangalore can help you understand your concern and guide you through the proper treatment and tips.
Why Pigmentation Appears Around the Mouth?
In general, melanin pigment, produced by melanocytes, plays its part. The extra deposition of this colored pigment around the mouth causes the skin of that area to darken. Various factors that contribute to this include:
- Sun exposure: Melanin is known to naturally protect the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. But, with frequent or prolonged sun exposure, the skin around the mouth can get dark.
- Dehydrated skin: Not drinking enough water daily, exposure to dry, cold weather, or not applying moisturiser daily can cause the skin around the mouth to dry and flake, leading to darkening.
- Hormonal imbalance: More androgens or less estrogen at certain phases of life can cause high melanin production, leading to pigmentation around the mouth.
- Family history: In some cases, one may have a genetic predisposition to pigmentation around the mouth.
- Vitamin deficiency: Decline in Vitamin B12 and D can make the skin most susceptible to darkening.
- Skin trauma or conditions: Concerns like acne, infections, burns, rosacea, and eczema can lead to pigmentation.
How to Reduce Darkening Around the Mouth- Dermatologist-Recommended Treatments
Topical Treatment
Dermatologists prescribe skincare products that contain skin-lightening and rejuvenating ingredients. Pick products having hydroq-uinone, reti-noids, azel-aic acid, kojic acid, alpha arb-utin, and niacinamide.
Chemical peels
For regular skin exfoliation, dermatologists may advise on using chemical peels of varying strength depending on the extent of pigmentation. Mostly suggested peels include glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid.
Laser therapy
A dermatologist may suggest non-ablative laser treatment with Fraxel laser or Q-switched Nd: YAG laser. The laser can work on clearing pigmented skin by thermally destroying excess melanin and boosting collagen skin remodelling, as well as skin cell turnover.
How Can Pigmentation Around the Mouth Be Avoided and Faded?
Comply with the following helpful practical advice, provided by a dermatologist in Bangalore:
- Practice proper sun protection: Apply potent sunscreen of high SPF and wear a wide-brimmed hat, before going out in the daytime for something important. Seek shade, wherever it’s possible. The best is avoiding outdoor activities during the peak hours of the sun.
- Do weekly skin exfoliation: Use a mild chemical exfoliant as prescribed by the doctor weekly to avoid the build-up of impurities and dead skin cells in the skin.
- Tweak in lifestyle: Ensure the skin’s natural repairing is happening and the skin remains healthy and glowing by eating a balanced diet, keeping hydrated, practising a proper skincare routine, managing stress in healthy ways, avoiding smoking, and resting properly at night.
- Be gentle with skin and keep hands off it: Do not use skin-irritating or aggressive products on the sensitive skin around the mouth. Also, avoid rubbing, picking, or harming the skin with your own hands to cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation around the mouth.
FAQs on Pigmentation Around the Mouth
Is it normal to have dark skin around the mouth?
Yes, until the pigmentation is persistent and resistant to fading with professional skincare.
Can diet affect pigmentation around the mouth?
Poor hydration and vitamin deficiencies can make an individual prone to pigmentation.
Does sunscreen prevent pigmentation?
Of course, sunscreen acts as a barrier to prevent such conditions from worsening and is essential for its slow lightening process.
Is pigmentation around the mouth permanent?
Proper treatment helps lighten those skin areas.
Is pigmentation around the mouth common during pregnancy?
Yes, usually accompanied by hormonal changes or imbalance leading to melasma.
Does smoking cause pigmentation around the lips?
Yes, by nicotine and heat, such darkening of the skin is induced.
Does exfoliation help to remove pigmentation around the mouth?
Delicate exfoliation with chemical exfoliants like lactic acid or glycolic acid would just eliminate the dead cells that have built up and fine-tune the skin tone.
Can you get an allergy around the mouth to cause pigmentation?
Yes, repetitive irritation, even eczema thinning, may result in darkening.
Which is the best treatment for reducing pigmentation around the mouth?
There is no surefire single treatment that may work for everyone seeking pigmentation reduction around their mouth. A good dermatologist can only help find the right course of action.
Suggest the fastest way to get rid of blackness around the mouth?
Seeking a dermatologist's attention is of utmost importance to quickly resolve the pigmentation concern. A dedicated skincare regimen, including proper sun protection alongside a healthy lifestyle, can do wonders for the pigmented skin.
Can pigmentation around the mouth happen to anyone?
Pigmentation around the mouth is often seen with individuals who are overexposed to UV from the sun, are genetically predisposed to facial pigmentation, have persistent dry skin, are deficient in Vitamin B12 and D, have a skin trauma close to the mouth, are experiencing fluctuating hormones, or have rosacea or eczema on the face.
Are there effective home remedies for pigmentation around the mouth?
Home remedies can cause skin irritation or worsen the condition. But the safe and most effective approach is to go with the dermatologist-recommended treatment.
Struggling with Pigmentation Around the Mouth?
Dr. Rasya Dixit is a leading pigmentation treatment doctor in Bangalore, available for consultation at Dr. Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic. She holds immense knowledge, expertise, and many years of experience in identifying the pigmentation type, cause, and severity, and planning the best treatment.
With her exceptional skincare and guidance and advanced, affordable, personalised treatment, it’s guaranteed that pigmentation will no longer be a concern!
