Ways to lighten dark lips at home
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Some people get darker lips over time due to a variety of medical and lifestyle factors. Smoking, pollution, and sun damage, for instance, can negatively impact the appearance of your lips. Luckily, several remedies can help lighten lips.
What causes dark lips?
Dark lips and their remedies
Darkening of the lips can be due to hyperpigmentation. This is a harmless condition caused by excess production of melanin. Lip hyperpigmentation can be prompted by:
- excessive sun exposure
- lack of hydration
- undergoing chemotherapy
- anemia
- having a vitamin deficiency
- the excessive use of fluoride
- cigarette smoking
- allergic reactions to products like toothpaste, lipstick, etc.
- ingesting too much caffeine
- sucking on your lips
Many of these causes can be fixed by making lifestyle changes, like wearing sunscreen, limiting your caffeine intake, or avoiding allergens like changing toothpaste or lipstick brands.
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How to get rid of dark lips?
Treating hyperpigmentation is mostly for cosmetic reasons. Laser treatments and chemicals like hydroquinone and kojic acid are often used to treat lip hyperpigmentation. Many treatments work by inhibiting an enzyme that makes melanin. You might find a natural lip lightener that satisfies your needs. Here are some to consider.
Lemon
A study conducted in 2002 suggests citrus fruit peel can serve as a melanin inhibitor. Every night before bed cut a lemon and gently rub the juicy part over your lips. Rinse your lips with some cool water in the morning. Repeat this routine every night until you get the desired results. It may take up to 30 days.
Lemon and sugar lip scrub
Before sleeping, cut a lemon wedge and dip it in some sugar. Rub it on your lips in circular motions and rinse it off with lukewarm water in the morning.
Lime
Lime is also a citrus fruit that may have melanin production inhibiting properties. In a small bowl, mix:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 teaspoon of organic honey
- 1 teaspoon of glycerin
Gently apply the mix to your lips before you sleep and clean your lips in the morning.
Turmeric
According to a study, turmeric was found to inhibit melanin production. In a small bowl, combine:
- a tablespoon of milk
- enough turmeric powder to make a paste
With a damp fingertip, spread the paste onto your lips. Leave it on for five minutes then tenderly clean it off with cool water. After your lips dry, apply your favorite moisturizer or lip balm.
Aloe
A compound in aloe vera has been found to inhibit melanin production. Once daily, apply a thin layer of fresh aloe gel on your lips. Once it’s dried, rinse off the gel with warm water.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate extract can lighten skin affected by hyperpigmentation. To make this pomegranate remedy, mix the following ingredients into a paste:
- 1 tablespoon of pomegranate seeds
- 1 teaspoon of rose water
- 1 tablespoon of fresh dairy cream
Gently massage the paste on your lips for around three minutes, then rinse your lips with water. Repeat this process daily.
Pomegranate lip stain
You can combine pomegranate with other fruit juices to create a lip stain. To make it, grind 1 tablespoon of pomegranate seeds. Mix the crushed seeds into equal parts beetroot and carrot juice. Rub the blend on your lips and leave it on as a stain. You could apply a mixture of cranberry and grape juice to stain your lips ruby-red. Repeat as desired to maintain the look.
Other natural remedies
Some use the following remedies to also lighten darker lips. However, more research is needed to examine their effectiveness. Remember this if you try them out:
Coconut oil
Using your index finger, take a small amount of coconut oil and gently apply it evenly over your lips. You can do this many times during the day and also before you sleep.
Rosewater
Mix two drops of rose water with six drops of organic honey. Apply it to your lips three to four times a day. You can also use this mixture before going to bed.
Olive oil
Before bed, rub a few drops of olive oil onto your lips.
Cucumber juice
In a blender, juice half a cucumber. Chill the juice in the refrigerator. Once the juice is chilled, dip a cotton ball into it and gently apply the juice to your lips. Leave the cucumber juice to dry on your lips for about 30 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water.
Strawberry
Make a paste by mixing five crushed, medium-sized strawberries and 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Gently apply it to your lips at night, then rinse off with lukewarm water in the morning.
Almond
In a bowl, blend 1 tablespoon of fresh dairy cream and add enough almond powder to form a paste. Massage the paste on your lips for three to five minutes. Let it dry which normally takes about five minutes. Rinse your lips using lukewarm water. Repeat this process daily.
Almond oil
Every night before bed, massage a few drops of almond oil onto your lips.
Mustard oil
Gently massage a few drops of mustard oil on your lips daily to get rid of dark lips.
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Preventing Lip Darkening
Moisturize your lips
Dry, damaged lips can have a dark look. Use a good quality lip balm to keep them moisturized. Check the ingredients to ensure that it has both a moisturizing agent like shea butter or cocoa butter and a binding agent, like beeswax. Good moisturizing ingredients to keep an eye out for include shea or cocoa butter, and almond oil. Shea butter has been utilized since early times and is known for its antioxidant and moisturizing qualities Cocoa butter is often used to decrease discoloration caused by scarring. Almond oil is regarded as one of the best oils to improve the health and look of skin.
Use sunscreen
Guard your lips against the effects of the sun as you would protect the rest of your skin. Lips don’t get tan, but they can burn and get very dry which will make them look darker. Ensure your lip balm has sun blocking ingredients of SPF 20 or higher. Also, use lipsticks with SPF 20 and above.
Stop smoking
Smoking can stain your lips, as tobacco, nicotine, and tar can all cause dark lips. Also, the heat from cigarettes may cause your lips to produce more melanin which darkens your lips. Quitting is difficult. Consult your doctor about medications that can assist you in quitting, as well as nicotine gum or patches.
Massaging and Exfoliating
Massage your lips
Massages can boost blood flow and lighten your lips. Massaging your lips with lightening treatments every night before you sleep will give the best results.
Exfoliate your lips
There are various ways to exfoliate your lips. You can opt to use an exfoliating scrub, or buff them with your toothbrush. Make a lip sugar scrub by mixing a tablespoon of white or brown sugar with enough honey or olive oil to form a paste. Rub the mixture firmly over your lips and wipe it off after a minute with a damp washcloth.Alternatively, you could use a dry, soft-bristled toothbrush to brush away the dry skin. Using minimal pressure on the toothbrush, work the bristles in a circular motion. Follow up with a soothing lip balm. Repeat this process about twice a week. If irritation occurs, reduce the number of frequency or rub more gently.
Use a pomegranate lip scrub
Pomegranates can make your lips look pinker. Crush 1 tablespoon of pomegranate seeds, and mix the powder with some milk to form a paste. Rub this paste onto your lips and rinse it off after about 2-3 minutes. Repeat this procedure as desired and discontinue if any irritation occurs.
Lightening with Food
Use potato slices
Potatoes have been used to lighten skin for a long time, including decreasing the appearance of scars. They contain “catecholase,” an enzyme that is best known for reducing skin darkness. Slice a potato and use it on your lips before bed, without rinsing after. Wash your lips with some warm water in the morning.
Use beetroot juice for lush, pink lips
Although it will not lighten your lips, beet juice can provide your lips with a pink stain that might improve their appearance, depending on your preferences. Apply 2-3 drops of juice from beetroot to your lips daily, and don’t wipe it off. As an alternative, grind a piece of beetroot into a fine paste using a blender and apply the beetroot paste to your lips. Leave in on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse it off. Once they are clean and dry, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to keep them moisturized.Repeat as desired to maintain the look.
Warnings: Keep allergies in mind when using any of these methods. If irritation happens, discontinue and seek medical attention if needed.
