Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTreatmentPreventionWhen to Seek HealthcareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Treatment
Prevention
When to Seek Healthcare
Frequently Asked Questions
Your skin, eyes, and hair get their color from a substance in your body called melanin. The amount of melanin in your skin and these other parts of the body creates your naturalpigmentationor skin color.
Although genetics and other factors play roles in pigmentation, there are other things that can change the balance of melanin in your body. This can include hormones, infections, and environmental changes.
This article will explore what can cause your skin to grow darker, or become hyperpigmented—especially around the mouth—and what you can do about it.
FreshSplash / Getty Images
Skin Discoloration Causes and Treatments
Causes of Hyperpigmentation Around the Mouth
Melanin is a primitive black or dark brown pigment that exists at some level in most living things. Its ability to absorb a variety of radiation types gives melanin a protective quality, but there are times when your body can produce too much of it.
Melasma
Hormones can trigger melanin production, especially during pregnancy.Melasmais the name of this condition, which occurs in pregnancy—mostly in women who already have darker skin. In fact, melasma is so common in pregnancy, it’s often referred to as the “mask of pregnancy.”
About a third of all pregnant women develop this condition, which causes splotchy areas of dark patches primarily on the face, such as the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip. However, as many as 10% of women also go on to develop this condition after another major hormonal change—menopause.
Melasma: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Certain Medications
All kinds of chemicals and medications can alter the cells that produce melanin in your body. In some cases, these substances can damage melanin production, resulting in lighter areas of skin.
When medications cause hyperpigmentation, they usually cause areas of your skin to turn darker. Some examples of medications that have been linked to hyperpigmentation include:
Sun Exposure
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is also a common cause of increased melanin resulting in hyperpigmentation. Although there are many sources of ultraviolet light, exposure to the sun is one of the most commonly encountered sources, and hyperpigmentation is often found in areas of the skin that are exposed to sunlight. Tanning beds can also increase your risk of dark spots as you age.
4 Dermatologists Share Tips for Preventing Skin Cancer Year-Round
Trauma to the Skin
Injuries are another possible cause of hyperpigmentation. Called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, darker areas that appear after injury or irritation can take a long time to resolve.
In addition to injuries, this type of hyperpigmentation can also develop from other sources of inflammation, includingautoimmune disordersand infections.Acneis one of the most common causes of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in people with darker skin colors, developing in about 65% of people of color with acne.
Some possible sources of hyperpigmentation that can result from inflammatory conditions like:
In and around the mouth in particular, the following can contribute to hyperpigmentation problems:
Vitamin Deficiencies
Metabolic disorders and imbalances are other common causes of hyperpigmentation. This can include diseases likeAddison’s disease, which affects the adrenal glands, as well as vitamin deficiencies and other metabolic issues.
In addition to diseases and hormone imbalances, deficiencies in the following can also lead to hyperpigmentation:
Hyperpigmentation on Skin: Causes and Treatments
In many cases, time is the best healer of hyperpigmentation. Especially for dark spots that form as a result of injury or inflammation, hyperpigmentation will usually fade in time, although it can take months to years.
If you are looking for a topical treatment that can even skin tone to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmented areas, you can look for skin care products that contain the following ingredients:
If the topical products you are using are not helping your hyperpigmentation, your doctor or dermatologist can offer you other prescription-strength options.
Avoid skin care products that use bleaches and steroids to lighten the skin because these can have other negative side effects.
The best way to prevent hyperpigmentation is to protect your skin from what you can. Though you really can’t avoid every cause of hyperpigmentation, avoiding excessive sun exposure can help ward off dark spots.
In particular, dermatologists recommend the following tips to prevent hyperpigmentation:
When choosing a sunscreen, the following types offer the best protection to avoid developing areas of hyperpigmentation:
The Proper Way to Apply Sunscreen
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See your doctor if you have an area of hyperpigmentation that is not going away with treatment from over-the-counter products. Prescription-strength formulas can give you the same ingredients, like retinoids, at stronger doses.
Talk with your provider if you have other symptoms that could signal the presence of a body-wide condition that is causing hyperpigmentation, such as Addison’s disease or a vitamin deficiency. Finally, if the dark area includes a mole or freckle with a concerning shape or pain, talk to your doctor about screening for skin cancer or other dermatological problems.
When to See a Dermatologist
Summary
There are many reasons you could develop dark spots on your skin, especially around the mouth. In many cases, these dark spots will fade with time, but there are also over-the-counter and prescription skin care products that can help fade areas of hyperpigmentation. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist to figure out your diagnosis and the best treatment plan.
Skin Lightening Cream: How Does It Work?
A Word From Verywell
Dark spots on your skin can develop for a number of reasons, and most are not serious. Protecting your skin from the sun can go a long way toward preventing areas of hyperpigmentation, and if these spots do develop, most will fade with time.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have dark areas of skin that are getting worse or appear with pain and other symptoms.
Pigmentation is the natural coloring of your skin. Hyperpigmentation occurs when the substances that give your skin its color, like melanin, are overproduced.Learn MoreWhat Is Skin Pigmentation?
Pigmentation is the natural coloring of your skin. Hyperpigmentation occurs when the substances that give your skin its color, like melanin, are overproduced.
Learn MoreWhat Is Skin Pigmentation?
Many areas of hyperpigmentation will fade with time as long as they are not the result of an underlying chronic condition, such as Addison’s disease. It’s important to resolve any underlying issues that are contributing to hyperpigmentation before you can clear up any dark areas.Learn MoreWhat Are Skin Pigmentation Disorders?
Many areas of hyperpigmentation will fade with time as long as they are not the result of an underlying chronic condition, such as Addison’s disease. It’s important to resolve any underlying issues that are contributing to hyperpigmentation before you can clear up any dark areas.
Learn MoreWhat Are Skin Pigmentation Disorders?
Learn MoreSkin Discoloration: Causes and Treatments
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Skin pigmentation disorders.Tran-Ly AN, Reyes C, Schwarze FWMR, et al.Microbial production of melanin and its various applications.World J Microbiol Biotechnol.July 2020;36(170). doi: 10.1007/s11274-020-02941-zAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: Overview.Passeron T, Picardo M.Melasma: A photo-aging disorder.Pigment Cell Melanoma Res.December 2017;31(4):461-465. doi:10.1111/pcmr.12684.Giménez García RM, Carrasco Molina S.Drug-induced hyperpigmentation: Review and case studies.JABFMI.July 2019;32(4):628-638. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2019.04.180212.Fatima S, Braunberger T, Mohammad TF, Kohli I, Hamzavi IH.The role of sunscreen in melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.Indian J Dermatol. February 2020;65(1):5-10. doi:10.4103/ijd.IJD_295_18Davis EC, Callender VD.A review of acne in ethnic skin.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010;3(4):24-38.Davis EC, Callender VD.Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010;3(7):20-31.Sreeja C, Ramakrishnan K, Vijayalakshmi D, Devi M, Aesha I, Vijayabanu B.Oral pigmentation: A review.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. August 2015;7(Suppl 2):S403-S408. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.163471Desai SR.Hyperpigmentation therapy: a review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(8):13-17.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.Plensdorf S, Livieratos M, Dada N.Pigmentation disorders: Diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. December 2017;96(12):797-804.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Skin pigmentation disorders.Tran-Ly AN, Reyes C, Schwarze FWMR, et al.Microbial production of melanin and its various applications.World J Microbiol Biotechnol.July 2020;36(170). doi: 10.1007/s11274-020-02941-zAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: Overview.Passeron T, Picardo M.Melasma: A photo-aging disorder.Pigment Cell Melanoma Res.December 2017;31(4):461-465. doi:10.1111/pcmr.12684.Giménez García RM, Carrasco Molina S.Drug-induced hyperpigmentation: Review and case studies.JABFMI.July 2019;32(4):628-638. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2019.04.180212.Fatima S, Braunberger T, Mohammad TF, Kohli I, Hamzavi IH.The role of sunscreen in melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.Indian J Dermatol. February 2020;65(1):5-10. doi:10.4103/ijd.IJD_295_18Davis EC, Callender VD.A review of acne in ethnic skin.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010;3(4):24-38.Davis EC, Callender VD.Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010;3(7):20-31.Sreeja C, Ramakrishnan K, Vijayalakshmi D, Devi M, Aesha I, Vijayabanu B.Oral pigmentation: A review.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. August 2015;7(Suppl 2):S403-S408. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.163471Desai SR.Hyperpigmentation therapy: a review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(8):13-17.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.Plensdorf S, Livieratos M, Dada N.Pigmentation disorders: Diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. December 2017;96(12):797-804.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Skin pigmentation disorders.Tran-Ly AN, Reyes C, Schwarze FWMR, et al.Microbial production of melanin and its various applications.World J Microbiol Biotechnol.July 2020;36(170). doi: 10.1007/s11274-020-02941-zAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: Overview.Passeron T, Picardo M.Melasma: A photo-aging disorder.Pigment Cell Melanoma Res.December 2017;31(4):461-465. doi:10.1111/pcmr.12684.Giménez García RM, Carrasco Molina S.Drug-induced hyperpigmentation: Review and case studies.JABFMI.July 2019;32(4):628-638. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2019.04.180212.Fatima S, Braunberger T, Mohammad TF, Kohli I, Hamzavi IH.The role of sunscreen in melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.Indian J Dermatol. February 2020;65(1):5-10. doi:10.4103/ijd.IJD_295_18Davis EC, Callender VD.A review of acne in ethnic skin.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010;3(4):24-38.Davis EC, Callender VD.Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010;3(7):20-31.Sreeja C, Ramakrishnan K, Vijayalakshmi D, Devi M, Aesha I, Vijayabanu B.Oral pigmentation: A review.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. August 2015;7(Suppl 2):S403-S408. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.163471Desai SR.Hyperpigmentation therapy: a review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(8):13-17.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.Plensdorf S, Livieratos M, Dada N.Pigmentation disorders: Diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. December 2017;96(12):797-804.
MedlinePlus.Skin pigmentation disorders.
Tran-Ly AN, Reyes C, Schwarze FWMR, et al.Microbial production of melanin and its various applications.World J Microbiol Biotechnol.July 2020;36(170). doi: 10.1007/s11274-020-02941-z
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Melasma: Overview.
Passeron T, Picardo M.Melasma: A photo-aging disorder.Pigment Cell Melanoma Res.December 2017;31(4):461-465. doi:10.1111/pcmr.12684.
Giménez García RM, Carrasco Molina S.Drug-induced hyperpigmentation: Review and case studies.JABFMI.July 2019;32(4):628-638. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2019.04.180212.
Fatima S, Braunberger T, Mohammad TF, Kohli I, Hamzavi IH.The role of sunscreen in melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.Indian J Dermatol. February 2020;65(1):5-10. doi:10.4103/ijd.IJD_295_18
Davis EC, Callender VD.A review of acne in ethnic skin.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010;3(4):24-38.
Davis EC, Callender VD.Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010;3(7):20-31.
Sreeja C, Ramakrishnan K, Vijayalakshmi D, Devi M, Aesha I, Vijayabanu B.Oral pigmentation: A review.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. August 2015;7(Suppl 2):S403-S408. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.163471
Desai SR.Hyperpigmentation therapy: a review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(8):13-17.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.
Plensdorf S, Livieratos M, Dada N.Pigmentation disorders: Diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. December 2017;96(12):797-804.
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