Uneven skin tone can happen anywhere in the body. more and more we are seeing people experience uneven skin tone on the lips ( hyperpigmentation). There are many factors that can contribute to uneven skin tone on the lips. For example, Exposure to UV light from the sun, or from tanning beds, can result in skin discolouration. Smoking, Medical conditions, and genetics can also be a contributors to lip discolouration or uneven skin tone.
Melasma, is a common and harmless skin issue.
Melasma occurs when patches of skin become discolored and appear brown or greyish. These can appear anywhere, including the lips. Melasma is normally caused by hormonal changes in the skin. another health contributor to lip pigmentation is the level of thyroid hormone that are either low or high and can cause hyperpigmentation to occur on the body including the lips. Pregnant women, women going through menopause and any experiencing major hormonal changes are often affected.
A main cause of hyper pigmentation ( uneven tone and discolouration) in the skin is sun damage. most people under stand the importance of protecting the skin on our face and body from the skin. Not everyone thinks to include lips in their routine when applying sunscreen. Sun is the number one cause for premature aging and a cause of pigmentation on the skin. these effects seen on the skin from the sun can also be seen on the lips. more and more we are seeing companies see the value in adding SPF to their lip care products making it easier for people to protect their lips from the sun. if you do not have lip care the incorporates SPF in its formulation you can also apply your regular face sunscreen to the lips.
another cause of discolouration on the lips is smoking and drinking. there are many harmful chemicals and toxins in tobacco products that can cause damage to the lips. these harmful toxins can cause the lips to experience pigmentation on the lips. smoking Can also cause the lips to age faster as the sucking motion of smoking causes dynamic wrinkles(wrinkles created from movement in the skin) to appear sooner than someone who does not smoke regularly or at all. Drinking to much alcohol can also cause a build up of toxins in the body that can cause the lips to become darker in colour.
one of the best treatments for pigmentation in the lips is laser therapy. Lasers can help fade the discolouration. This skin condition can come back especially in people that have hormonal issues, not wearing SPF or anyone with unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking.
PicoSure laser is health Canada approved. Many people need an average of 3 treatments to see pigmentation dramatically lighten or completely disappear. However it depends on each individuals reaction to the laser. Some people may need more, some may need less.
- Picosecond Technology: The PicoSure laser delivers ultra-short pulses of energy (picoseconds) to the skin. These pulses are extremely fast, much quicker than traditional lasers, and which typically use nanosecond pulses.
- Targeting Pigmentation: The PicoSure laser selectively targets pigmentation in the lips to breakdown hyperpigmentation. Once pigmentation is broken down the body has an easier time to get rid of the build up of pigmentation through its natural processes.
- Texture: PicoSure laser will also target the collagen found within the lips to help prevent wrinkling and help with overall appearance of the lips.
The PicoSure laser is designed to be precise, targeting only the pigmented areas without causing significant damage to the surrounding skin. This precision helps minimize the risk of side effects like scarring or changes in skin texture. Depending on the severity of the pigmentation and individual response to treatment, multiple sessions may be required to achieve optimal results. Typically, treatments are spaced several weeks apart to allow
after treatment some things you can do to prevent the return of pigmentation is
- quitting smoking, if relevant
- protecting the lips from UV light damage by limiting sun exposure and wearing lip balm with SPF
- avoiding tanning beds
- eating a balanced, nutritious diet
- practicing oral hygiene
