Perioral Pigmentation: Home Remedies & Clinical Treatment

Updated on: 21st June, 2022

While home remedies are more accessible and often softer ways that use natural substances, clinical treatments are more sophisticated and, in some cases, faster since they are provided by specialists. The choice between the two is determined by the degree of the pigmentation and the individual’s preferences for efficiently controlling this skin condition.

The term perioral refers to tissues around the mouth. Perioral pigmentation can be described as skin discolouration around the lips and mouth. So, what is perioral hyperpigmentation? This condition leads to darkening skin in the lips and mouth region and is caused by excess generation of melanin.

The causes of perioral pigmentation include

• Acne
• Pregnancy
• Razor bumps
• Insect bites
• Hormonal fluctuations

Heredity could also be a reason for this skin condition. Perioral pigmentation results from melasma and sun spots caused by sun exposure in the lips and mouth region of the skin.

• A cream that contains hydroquinone works well as a perioral pigmentation treatment. Use one prescribed by a dermatologist.
• Another effective perioral pigmentation treatment is over-the-counter skin-brightening creams. Applying them leads to a significant reduction in discoloration of the skin.
• Acid peels are a good clinical treatment for perioral pigmentation. A dermatologist uses glycolic acid or salicylic acid to reduce dark patches in the lips and mouth region. It is not a permanent solution to hyperpigmentation around the mouth, and after the treatment, you must protect the treated skin from the sun.
• Chemical peel treatment works well to remove skin discoloration in the perioral region. Strong concentrations of acids are used to remove the upper or upper and middle layer of the skin, thus removing dark patches. This procedure should be guided by a dermatologist.
• Laser therapy works well to reduce hyperpigmentation. In laser treatment for perioral pigmentation, the generation of elastin and collagen is promoted, which leads to removal of dark spots on the skin. This treatment breaks down melanin-generating cells which leads to lightening of the lips.

This was an overview of perioral pigmentation home remedies and clinical treatment, along with the causes and symptoms of this skin condition. While natural perioral pigmentation home remedies could be effective, it is always advisable to get medical advice on this or any other skin disease. Perioral pigmentation treatment would also vary based on its cause, which is also why you should get the condition diagnosed from a dermatology expert.