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Are your lips getting darker? You may find the reasons here

Are you wondering why your lips are turning darker day by day? Well, Jaishree Sharad weighs down on reasons that are causing dark lips.
your lip balm can cause dark lips
An expert lists the factors that may be causing dark lips! Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Published by Shifa Khan
Updated On: 5 Jan 2022, 12:35 pm IST
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Just like our skin, our lips too need regular pampering. Because just like your under eyes, the skin on your lips is too thin and it even has no sweat glands! This makes it more prone to dryness and getting chapped. Although, chapping is not the only concern that we face with our lips. Dark or pigmented lips are also one of the problems you may be dealing with.

Well your lips may get pigmented and lose their natural pink flush due to many reasons. The colour of your lips may also vary depending on your lifestyle habits and also medical factors. Jaishree Sharad, a certified Dermatologist, recently took to Instagram to share a reel about the causes of dark lips.

In her informative video, Sharad lists following reasons that may cause your lips to darken:

  1. Smoking

Well, smoking doesn’t just harm your lungs. If you smoke, you may have darker lips than your non-smoking friends!

side-effects of smoking
Stay away from smoking as much as possible. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

2. Allergy to lipsticks

Using lip cosmetics like lipsticks, gloss and balms may do more bad than good. Lipsticks may contain some chemicals that you may be allergic to. These chemicals may be responsible for causing hyperpigmentation on your lips.

3. Allergy to toothpastes containing menthol or cloves

Well everything that comes in contact with your lips may have an adverse effect on the skin tone of your lips. If you’re not addicted to cigarettes or don’t apply lipstick often, You might be allergic to some ingredient in your toothpaste.

4. Pursing, biting or licking the lips

So ladies! Your lips are fragile and go through major wear and tear on their own. Licking your lips, biting them or pressing them may worsen the situation and cause hyper-pigmented lips. In addition to this, lip licking is also a major reason for dry and chapped lips.

5. Fragrance based lip balms

While your cherry bomb lippie might taste amazing, opting for fragrance-free lip balm is a good idea. Especially, if you have pigmented lips.

pigmented lips
Keep an eye on reasons that may be causing dark lips! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

8. Poor quality lip products, dark coloured lipsticks or matte lipsticks

Matte lipsticks can further dry out your lips because they can absorb the natural oil around your mouth. Using poorly made products on our lips may also worsen the situation.

9. Drug allergy

Dark lips may also be caused by an allergic reaction from a medicine. Stop using the medication and consult your doctor if your lips look pigmented than before.

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10. Conditions like lichen planus

It is a skin condition that can cause swelling, inflammation and irritation in the skin. If your lips appear purple or have tiny bumps, it is better to consult a doctor for advice and treatment.

Your lips need a separate care routine and that extra attention because let’s face it, who doesn’t want that perfect pout?

Here are a few simple tips to lighten your dark lips

1. Keep yourself hydrated

Conditions like environmental pollution and dehydration can result in dry, chapped, pigmented and dark lips. That’s why it’s important to drink as much water as you can. Especially in winter, make a conscious effort to have at least 8 glasses of water every day.

2. Quit smoking

Smoking is gross for your health! You need to drop that cigarette for the sake of your lips if not for your respiratory health.

3. Eat a lot of fresh fruits

Eat both fresh fruits and veggies with high water content like watermelon, tomato, and cucumber, in order to moisten your lips and to improve the tone.

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Eat the right food! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

4. Do not pluck or chew the lips

When our lips are dry, we tend to lick, pluck or chew them. It may cause harm, so don’t do that.

5. Apply moisturisers

The expert suggests applying moisturisers like ghee or almond oil may help improve the skin tone of your lips.

6. Saffron or beetroot extracts

Saffron or beetroot extract can be used as natural lip colours. This will keep lips healthy and fuller and will improve the lip colour.

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About The Author
Shifa Khan
Shifa Khan

An aesthete and a skincare junkie, Shifa spends most of her time cooking delish food while wearing a sheet mask. At HealthShots, she creates high-octane content that can leave you all a little intrigued!

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