We all have different lip tones and colors, and no shade of lip skin is healthier than the other. However, we might notice some changes in lip colors which is an indicator that we need to take care of our lips. But, as we pointed out, this is not always a reason to worry; you just need to take more care of your lips and make some changes. In this article, we will be looking at some of the causes of dark lips, and we will be giving professional advice on how to prevent these dark lips.
What Causes Dark Lips?
When the lip skin becomes darker than usual, it is known as hyperpigmentation. So, what are the causes of hyperpigmentation? Let’s take a look at them:
- Excessive exposure to the Sun
If you constantly expose yourself to sunlight, this is a major reason you have dark lips. This happens because when you are exposed to the ultraviolet rays from the sun, the body produces melanin for protection and this causes darker lips.
Preventive Measure
When going into the sun, use a lip balm with a protection factor of 30 and above to protect your skin from any form of damage that causes the skin to get darker.
- Smoking Tobacco
Smoking causes your lips to darken gradually. This is because tobacco contains benzpyrene and Nicotine, which promotes melanin production on the lips. Therefore, every smoker goes through the gradual darkening of their lips.
Preventive Measure
Professional advice kicks against smoking not only because it darkens the lips but also causes other health conditions like cancer. So, one of the best ways to prevent lip-darkening as a result of smoking is by quitting altogether.
- Medications
Certain everyday medications like oral antibiotics and anti-malaria tablets cause hyperpigmentation of the lip skin. These are important medications that help the immune system fight diseases, and we understand why you need to take them.
Preventive Measure
If you have certain medications causing your lips to get darker, you do not need to do anything. Once you are done with the medication, things will go back to normal.
- Pregnancy
Most pregnant women tend to notice darker skin pigmentation during their pregnancies, which is due to a lot of hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. The areas most affected by the hormonal changes which become darker are the cheeks, the lips, and the nose depending on the woman. So, if you are pregnant and notice your skin getting darker, it’s only normal.
Preventive Measure
You do not need to do anything to lighten the color of your lips. Once you conceive, things would go back to normal, including your lips.
- Medical conditions
Some medical conditions like hemochromatosis, hyperthyroidism, or Addison’s disease cause the skin to get darker. The lips get darker alongside other symptoms like mood swings, general body weakness, and low energy levels.
Preventive Measure
If you experience any form of difficulty breathing alongside your dark lips, you need to seek medical help immediately because it could be a sign of other complicated health conditions.
Bottom Line
These are some of the reasons why we have darker lips. If you feel the situation is more complicated than simple hyperpigmentation, seek professional advice immediately.
