Dark top lip - not a 'tache (believe me I've scrutinised!) so what the hell is it?

[MrsMeow]

It seems to have appeared over the last 3/4 weeks and looks just like I've been reading a newspaper and rubbed my finger across my top lip! I've looked in all kinds of light and it's definitely not hairs as those are fine & blonde in that area, but what else can it be?

It seems slightly more noticeable when I'm wearing face powder or foundation, but it's the same stuff I've used for years so don't think it's a reaction or the wrong shade?

Is it a melasma? Sometimes called pregnancy mask but not confined to pregnant women. It's a harmless skin discolouration but that's all I know!

Melasma. Have you started new medication e.g. Contraceptive pill?

My cousin thinks that using hair removal creams made her lip darker over time. She stopped using them but the skin stayed darker.

Pigmentation. Usually caused by sun, skin damage, allergic reaction. Best you can do is wear a high SPF and perhaps ask a good beautician/dermatologist to recommend a skin brighter. However it it looks like patches that are brown/blackish you may want to check with doc. Just to ensure nothing to worry about.

I get this. It went when I was ttc and pregnant, I use touché éclat on it every morning.

I recently realised that I've been putting on my face cream in the morning, than brushing my teeth, after which I wipe my mouth on the towel which wipes off the cream. So no SPF above my top lip, which then went darker in the sun. Maybe this? (Or maybe you're less daft than me )

Thanks very much everyone, I appreciate it :)

I'm not on any new meds and don't think it's melasma as my friend has that and mine is more subtle. It looks exactly like a faint bruise or a shadow, kind of a bluey grey colour? I've never used hair removal creams on my face so can't be that either...it literally came from nowhere and I didn't realise until my (D?!)H pointed it out.

I think sun damage might be the reason then. It's appeared since our two day summer so would make sense, better up the SPF I suppose! Dustyhouse I did laugh at that!! I brush my teeth first so don't think it's that but it's DEFINITELY something I would do haha!

I have this. Horrible!
I do try to use a high factor sun block, but often forget. (Or wipe it off.)

I wonder if there's a laser treatment?

I have this. Horrible!
I do try to use a high factor sun block, but often forget. (Or wipe it off.)

I wonder if there's a laser treatment?

You could try Peptabright which you can get from Boots. I'm trying it for some sun spots on my nose - only just started so no results yet but seen quite a few good reviews of it. It won't work on hormonal patches but if it's sun damage then you may have some luck. It doesn't contain bleachy stuff.

This might sound odd, but when my Ds was little, he used to get a faint bruise like mark on his upper lip when he had trapped wind. Could your digestive system be a bit unhappy?

I had this a while back and googled.
I remember vaguely reading that mineral deficiencies (possibly zinc) could be a factor. I can't find the related info at the mo but I remember specifically taking a supplement for it.