Any way to lighten dark lips?

Question

I have melasma (I'm assuming) on my top lip and corners of my mouth. Is there any way to lighten or even get rid of it? Would lip injections just make it more visible?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

A combination of lasers, peels, skincare possible medical tattooing can help but will need a series of long term treatments for best results. Also fillers like Restylane Silk or Belotero can help as well to slightly plump the skin and make it look more pink. See the link provided that takes you to emeragecosmetics.com where we do free skincare consultations and offer medical grade products.Best, Dr. Emer.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

For dark lips, we recommend Melarase PM twice daily + Q switch laser to lighten the pigmentation. Best, Dr. KaramanoukianLos Angeles

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Melasma needs long term commitment with skin care and avoidance of skin factors such as sun exposure (Spectrase Sun Block) which has wide UV spectrum and SPF 30+ protection. 
Daily good habits with topicals may well help you chieve your goals with a good skin system like the Brightening Kit from KareSkin (see link). You may want to start with Melarase and Pigmentation Correction Complex. Scler-X from another vendor is for PIH relief (see link). 
Melarase AM is non hydroquinone based. 
Clear + Brilliant laser can be added once you start your pretreatment with topicals. Dr Raffy in santa Monica is a melasma expert. 
Best
H Karamanoukian MD FACS

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

Melasma can not be completely cured, however effective treatment are possible. This is because your skin is extremely sensitive to UV and even the smallest amount can stimulate your pigment cells to produce colour. The mainstay of treatment is strict UV protection- hats, sunglasses and SPF every 4 hours
I prefer to use a combination of creams and laser for melasma. Hydroquinone can be used (5-8%), along with vitamin A creams. I usually start my patients on laser (low dose Q switch or Picosure) a few weeks after they commence on creams. Another laser I use is the Clear and Brilliant in the Permea setting combined with creams. 
  
In some cases I combine glycolic AHA peels, and in other cases I use a tablet called Tranexamic acid to help. Melasma treatments should be tailored to each patient. 
  
All the best, Dr Davin Lim. Laser, surgical and aesthetic dermatologist. Brisbane, Australia

Any way to lighten dark lips?

Answers (4)

Answer: Melasma

Answer: Melasma

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Laser Resurfacing

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Any way to lighten dark lips?

Answers (4)

Answer: Melasma

Answer: Melasma

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Laser Resurfacing

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.