Dark pigmentation around mouth surely is an uncomfortable condition, especially if you're a woman and it makes you appear as if you have a mustache. And sometimes even a concealer cannot hide it. In this condition, you might want to consider taking different methods that actually work to deal with this problem.

Causes of Hyperpigmentation Around Mouth

Dark pigmentation can be caused by three different factors:

1. Sun Exposure

It usually takes up to a few years for dark spots to appear on the sun-exposed areas of the skin. After their appearance, the probability of them fading away without a proper treatment is small; however, considering the fact that a changed pigment stays just beneath the surface of your skin, the condition can be treated with the aid of various scrubs and creams. It is highly recommended you use a sunscreen as a prophylactic method, and as a way to keep your hyperpigmentation from darkening any further.

2. Melasma (Chloasma)

These murky spots start appearing on the upper lip as a product of hormone changes that occur during pregnancy (or consumption of birth-control pills). Even though they are highly treatable, they may reappear.

3. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Dark skinned people could develop some dark spots that might stay there for a while after a pimple or a burn has healed. But there is no need to worry! The skin will regain its normal color within three to six months.

Medical Treatments for Hyperpigmentation Around Mouth

1. Use a Mild Facial Scrub for a Day-to-Day Exfoliation

This method can help get rid of dead skin cells, thus making it possible for darkness to gradually fade.

• First, put a pea-sized amount of the scrub to a previously dampened towel.
• Rub your face with it, and make sure you are rubbing hard enough to remove dead cells without irritating your skin. Repeat daily.

Facial scrubs can be found in both drug stores and grocery stores, but it's recommended you read some reviews before purchasing so you can choose the right one.

2. Apply Some Non-Prescription Skin-Brightening Cream

There is a wide range of drug stores that sell various skin brightening creams. You should opt for the one that contains some of the following ingredients: vitamin C, arbutin, niacinamide, kojic acid, azelaic acid, licorice extract, or grapeseed extract. These ingredients possess the ability to block the enzyme called tyrosinase that human skin cells need for the production of melanin.

• Just apply a thin coat of the cream on the hyperpigmented areas around the mouth.
• Make sure you closely follow the given instructions and avoid using the cream for more than three weeks.
• Don't buy a product that contains kojic acid if your skin is sensitive since it can cause irritation.

3. Use a Prescription Cream

If nothing else works, consider asking your dermatologist to prescribe you a cream, such as hydroquinone. This cream slows down the synthesis of tyrosinase which is needed for the production of melanin. As this pigment starts being produced more slowly, the darkening area will fade gradually.

You can see the results after a couple of days of using. Once you stop this treatment, you can continue using some non-prescription cream.

4. Consider Undergoing a Laser Treatment

Laser treatment has proven to be the most effective method of treating the dark pigmentation around mouth. Even though its effects are not always permanent due to the genetics and the skincare routine, it definitely is the most lasting one. 

5. Try a Glycolic or a Salicylic Acid Peel

Acid peel has the ability to reach and repair the damaged cells that are deep beneath the surface of your skin. This one isn't permanent; however, it can last longer if you choose to stay clear of the sun and start treating your dark spots early. Otherwise, hyperpigmentation will probably return within a couple of weeks to a couple of years.

Natural Remedies for Hyperpigmentation Around Mouth

1. Avoid Direct Sunlight

Avoiding the direct sunlight is one of the best ways to deal with this condition. However, in case you have to go out, remember to bring a sunscreen with you and apply it as often as possible. To further protect your skin from UV rays, make sure that a sunscreen you are using has an SPF factor of at least 30. It is even better if it contains ingredients such as zinc, titanium, and avobenzone since they effectively block both UVA and UVB rays.

2. Try Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is super-efficient when it comes to lightening dark patches caused by melasma as it has natural bleaching property. You can massage the dark pigmented areas with some lemon juice on a daily basis.

3. Use Coconut Oil and Coconut Water

Another natural remedy for getting rid of the blackness around mouth is using coconut oil and coconut water.

• You just have to put a little bit of coconut oil on the dark pigmented areas every night before bed, and wash your face in the morning.
• As for coconut water, use it to wash your face at least two times a day to see the best results.

4. Apply Lime Juice with Grated Tomato

• Mix 3-4 drops of lime juice with a grated tomato.
• Apply the mixture to the skin around your mouth and leave it for 20 minutes before washing it off.

In addition to lightening hyperpigmentation around mouth, this mixture can also help lighten your under eye circles.

5. Try Cucumber and Lime Juice

Mix a grated cucumber with some lime juice and apply the mixture to the areas you wish to lighten. Leave it for 20 minutes before you rinse it off using warm water.

6. Use Oatmeal, Curd and Tomato Juice

• Make a mixture of oatmeal, curd, and tomato juice and apply it to the dark pigmented areas of the skin around your mouth.
• Leave it for a couple of minutes, and then wash it off.

Not only is this remedy great for lightening hyperpigmentation, but it also works wonders to help get rid of wrinkles around lips.