Lighten UP!
This new year is the ideal time to lighten up your spirits and upper lip with our expert advice and effective products. So many people are embarrassed by pigment above their lip, humorously called Melasma Mustache or Sun Mustache. A darkened upper lip is not painful but can make you self-conscious and emotionally upset. it’s time to speak with our professional staff, who will assist you with treating this issue.
Several Causes of Dark Pigment
There are several causes for dark pigment above your lip. Certain medications can trigger the skin to darken. For example, one of the treatments for acne and rosacea is minocycline which can set off excess pigment resulting in dark skin above your upper lip. Trauma to your skin, such as acne, can also make your skin darken. Inflammation from acne can initiate your pigment cells to increase activity, which results in hyperpigmentation.
Melasma is the most common cause of dark pigmentation, hence the nickname, Melasma Mustache. An increase or fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone can trigger pigment-producing cells that heighten melanin in areas like your face exposed to the sun. The variability of these hormones may lead to the formation of melasma patches on your upper lip. People with darker skin are more apt to develop melasma due to extra active pigment-producing cells than those with lighter skin.
…Inflammation from acne can initiate your pigment cells to increase activity, which results in hyperpigmentation.
Several Causes of Dark Pigment
There are several causes for dark pigment above your lip. Certain medications can trigger the skin to darken. For example, one of the treatments for acne and rosacea is minocycline which can set off excess pigment resulting in dark skin above your upper lip. Trauma to your skin, such as acne, can also make your skin darken. Inflammation from acne can initiate your pigment cells to increase activity, which results in hyperpigmentation.
…Inflammation from acne can initiate your pigment cells to increase activity, which results in hyperpigmentation.
Melasma is the most common cause of dark pigmentation, hence the nickname, Melasma Mustache. An increase or fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone can trigger pigment-producing cells that heighten melanin in areas like your face exposed to the sun. The variability of these hormones may lead to the formation of melasma patches on your upper lip. People with darker skin are more apt to develop melasma due to extra active pigment-producing cells than those with lighter skin.
Using hormone therapy, such as birth control pills, as well as pregnancy may cause melasma. Heat and sun exposure can also induce this dark skin condition. A phototoxic reaction from certain cosmetics, perfumes, and creams activated by exposure to sunlight can trigger melasma too.
When you meet with our professional staff, they will diagnose the severity of your condition and recommend a personalized regiment to eliminate the triggers that may cause the melasma patches. Lifestyle changes such as using sunblock, avoiding high heat over the stove, and wearing sun hats are easy to initiate and inexpensive.
Changing your birth control from certain hormonal contraceptives to copper IUDs will eliminate extra hormones. We also advise patients to avoid phototoxic reactions that may trigger melasma by checking the ingredients in the perfumes, serums, creams, and cosmetics they use.
Topical treatments such as Retin-A and hydroquinone are also effective treatments for the melanin in your skin. Obagi products are our staff’s favorite for this issue because they are packed with powerful ingredients and do not oxidize easily. Obagi Nu-Derm Clear is a skin brightening cream specially formulated with 4% hydroquinone, a skin lightening agent that treats melasma and hyperpigmentation. Obagi Nu-Derm Clear improves how your skin looks, creating an even and healthier-looking complexion.
…Obagi products are our staff’s favorite for this issue because they are packed with powerful ingredients and do not oxidize easily.
You can trust Obagi products to reduce melasma patches above the lip because the company has over three decades of proven results from people just like yourself using their products. Obagi Medical offers science-backed skincare products formulated to minimize signs of skin aging, address dark spots, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles, and protect and enhance skin tone and texture.
Chemical peels are another method to treat dark pigment above the lip. Clinical studies have shown that glycolic chemical peels aid with diminishing melasma patches. Lasers are another treatment to lessen dark pigment. However, I have tried every type of laser without much success in reducing melasma.
Tranexamic acid is an oral medication that has shown promising results for fading dark spots. Our staff closely monitors clinical studies to see if this treatment is more efficacious than other therapies.
When we consult with patients to treat dark pigment above the lip, we tell them that whichever treatment best suits their skin type, they need to be patient, waiting for results. The bottom line is, for most people suffering from Melasma Moustache, a third of the dark patch will improve, a third will stay the same, and a third will get worse after treatment.
Our goal is to help lighten your upper lip and your spirits with appropriate treatments, so you can feel happy and confident to show your beautiful face to the world. But remember, if you sport a Melasma Moustache, we recommend that you avoid direct sunlight, wear sunscreen every day, and if you must be in the sun, wear a protective hat and try to move to a shaded area.
…But remember, if you sport a Melasma Moustache, we recommend that you avoid direct sunlight, wear sunscreen every day, and if you must be in the sun…
Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is a terrific and powerful sunscreen that combines UVB and UVA protection in an elegant, matte finish that is non-comedogenic and dermatologist tested. This sunscreen has many key benefits that make it superior to other products. It is appropriate for all skin types, allergy tested and approved, fragrance-free, contains no parabens, and dries with a sheer matte finish, so no weird ghost face!
Our best advice to lighten up the pigment above your lip is to use the Obagi Nu-Derm Kit containing Obagi Nu-Derm Clear. The amazing and potent products in the kit are packed with 4% hydroquinone and Retin-A. Let Obagi’s effective products be your superpower to brighten your skin, fade dark spots and illuminate your complexion.
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