Dark color on upper lip...Anyone have this?

[phantine]

I've recently noticed the skin above my lip is much darker than the rest of my face, giving me a "mustached" appearance. I know it's not stubble, because I don't have dark hair there. I've noticed this more now that my skin is a little more tan. Does anyone know what this is? And how to minimize/get rid of this?

Forgive me if this has been posted before...I searched but couldn't find anything on it. Thanks in advance.

[Echobelly]

It's possible that it could be acanthosis nigicrans.

This happens to people who are insulin resistant (quite common with PCOS). The excess insulin "spills" over onto the skin, and creates dark spots. The skin is velvety and "thick" to touch. Often, it affects areas such as the groin, back of neck, elbows, armpits, and even the face.

Take heart, that these symptoms do improve when your body starts to use insulin more effectively - with exercise and diet.

I hope this helps.

[deelish]

I know this post is 5 years old but PLEASE, someone has to have a better solution than just diet and exercise and sit tight? I already lost 20lbs and am continuing to be healthy but that took 3 months and I'm seriously SICK of always looking like i have a mustache. PLEASE HELP.

I tried porcelana which was recommended by a PA I had seen at Kaiser and it heavily irritated my skin.

Anyone? Anything?

[MintChai]

I developed hyper pigmentation (excess melanin) above my upper lip last summer. I believe it may have been caused by a combination of plucking (irritation to the skin), medication that may have caused sensitivity to the sun (further irritating the area), and hormonal changes. I've been using over the counter fade cream (NeoStrata HQ Plus) it contains Hydroquinone and that's suppose to help lighten the pigment. It hasn't worked wonders but I've begun laser treatment and that seems to be helping more than the cream.

Good luck!

[deelish]

Is your laser treatment for hair removal or is it to do with removing the pigmentation?

I appreciate your reply but am still eager to hear how others are combatting this issue. Cysters, please let me know what you are doing.

THANK YOU!

[nemesis_divina]

I use ambi fade cream for my upper lip. Birth control pills can cause melasma, which is what I'm guessing I have. The most common symptom is dark skin on the upper lip. Not sure if the fade cream is working, I've only been using it for 2 weeks, but hey it can't hurt

[deelish]

Thank you ladies for your posts.

So, sadly...I did some research on here, specifically with regard to AN, which I'm positive is why I have the darkness pretty much everywhere, and I realize that I'm going to have to continue attacking the problem, which is IR. It just sucks because weight loss is slow and my perceived quality of life is really deteriorating, not to mention my self esteem, by these awful physical problems.

Here are the solutions I have come up with based on a lot of research on this site.

Low carb diet
Body for Life workouts (weight lifting and interval cardio)
300 mins of exercise a week
Fish oil (for AN)
Sage (to reduce sweating)
Coconut oil (for sebbhoreic dermatitis)

I will post back with results in a month.

[Shell26]

I have the same issue, and have for years, and I am not IR. I have just started using the porcelania fade cream and can't tell that it's doing anything. One thing to be sure of is use a very high spf sun block on that area. I have a lip gloss type that is 75spf. Sun exposure makes it much worse. Mine gets a lot darker in the summer...so I'm being sure to use the sun block stick every day..even when I'm inside all day, just to get in the habit of putting it on. Maybe try to find a fade cream for sensitive skin and that will help you. It's a pain in the butt, I know!

[Boardmeeting]

@deelish Please do keep us posted! I have been having this problem for forever (I had eczema as a child) and I have been recently applying cucumber juice daily. So far it hasn't really been working, but I think that is because my skin is severely damaged.

[deelish]

@deelish Please do keep us posted! I have been having this problem for forever (I had eczema as a child) and I have been recently applying cucumber juice daily. So far it hasn't really been working, but I think that is because my skin is severely damaged.

I wish I had good news, but I don't. I have been using fish oil for 2 months now and while it has helped greatly with my dry heels, it hasn't changed anything with regards to my AN. I haven't been successful with consistently getting 300 minutes of exercise but I am still striving for it.

I have faith that low carb will be the best way to combat the darkness. I will let you know when I see results