Most forms of PIH are temporary and treatable easily; to reduce its appearance further, however, you should consult with an expert practitioner in laser treatments such as eyelash enhancement.
As part of your consultation, ask the practitioner what type of laser they use and their qualifications. If they cannot respond adequately, consider seeking a different practitioner.
Causes
Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic procedure to reduce unwanted body hair. A beam of light attracted by pigment destroys hair follicles responsible for hair growth. Although laser treatments tend to be safe and effective, some individuals may experience hyperpigmentation following laser hair removal treatment. In this blog post, we will investigate why upper lip hyperpigmentation occurs following laser hair removal treatments as well as treatments available and prevention tips.
Laser hair removal often results in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), commonly referred to as melasma. These dark spots develop due to inflammation or injury and typically appear on sun-exposed areas or those with darker skin tones. Other triggers for PIH could include sun exposure, acne breakouts, rashes infections as well as certain medications and hormones.
Melasma is a common skin condition characterized by small, dark spots on the cheeks and forehead that often form redness, dryness, blotching and dull complexion. While melasma typically lasts only temporarily and can usually be reversed with proper care, some individuals may be more vulnerable than others to developing it – worsening it even further with certain lifestyle habits.
Melasma is caused by sun exposure, leading to discolored patches on the face. Other contributors include stress, hormonal fluctuations and diet; waxing or shaving hair removal methods may also exacerbate symptoms.
Laser hair reduction is a safe and effective solution for eliminating unwanted hair, and may also help lessen age spots and sun damage. However, sensitive skin types may experience hyperpigmentation after receiving laser treatments.
Over-the-counter skin lightening products are readily available, and some are specifically formulated to target dark pigment in the lip area. When selecting one for yourself, be sure to select something gentle enough for use around delicate upper lip skin areas – if in doubt about which to select consult your dermatologist about what might work best in this instance.
Treatment
Laser treatment can be very successful for treating many skin conditions, but it may sometimes result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). PIH occurs as the result of laser light activating melanin pigment in skin during hair removal sessions causing darkening above lips.
PIH typically occurs among darker skin tones, as laser treatment can agitate these areas and increase inflammation. Hormones or UV exposure may be responsible, particularly among pregnant or taking birth control pill women; in rare instances it can even trigger “melasma mustaches.”
Other potential causes of PIH include shaving, waxing and depilatories that disturb hair follicles; it is wise to forgoing these methods of hair removal before laser therapy in order to minimize risk of PIH above the lip.
In most cases, PIH will clear up within days or months when treated with topical creams such as hydroquinone and kojic acid. A dermatologist can also perform chemical peels such as Cosmelan, Mesopeels or Dermamelan Intimate to lighten the skin further.
Laser toning is another approach to pigmentation reduction. Utilizing the heat energy of laser light, this procedure uses laser heat energy to lighten pigmentation above lips without any downtime involved – producing similar results to chemical peels while eliminating downtime!
If other treatments fail, your doctor can perform a hydration infusion which injects water and oxygen directly into the deep layers of skin where pigmentation exists, helping lighten it and potentially lightening pigmentation over multiple sessions. This method may take some time before seeing results.
No matter the cause or treatment options of discoloration, protecting yourself from sunlight is paramount to successful care. This includes wearing high SPF sunscreen every day, covering your face with a hat when possible and seeking shade when possible. Furthermore, picking at or trying home remedies that could worsen conditions are best avoided; consult a dermatologist instead for guidance and tailored advice about finding solutions tailored specifically to you; Nao Medical can offer expert guidance and personalized treatment recommendations so contact us now for a consultation appointment!
Prevention
If hyperpigmentation following laser hair removal concerns you, rest assured that it should resolve on its own over time. Hyperpigmentation usually fades one to two months post session; if time constraints or other concerns make that impossible to wait for, there are treatments available to lighten dark spots on the skin immediately – in some cases dermatologists may suggest over-the-counter creams containing hydroquinone, retinoids or kojic acid to lighten skin tone and reduce pigmentation; during your consultation session your doctor will recommend what would work best suit both your skin type and aesthetic goals based on consultation results and recommendations provided during consultation session.
Conventional hair removal methods may lead to upper lip skin darkening. Because upper lips contain very delicate and thin skin, repeated waxing or shaving may result in darkening over time. Furthermore, using an electric razor may irritate and darken the skin further when used on dry or inflamed lips.
Melasma is another common cause of darkening skin above the lip. Melasma can be brought on by hormones and UV exposure; although chronic cases usually persist, hyperpigmentation may be corrected with topical brighteners or in-office treatments such as microneedling or chemical peels.
Hyperpigmentation can be avoided through a proactive skincare routine. Begin with using gentle cleansers, moisturizing products that contain sunscreen, and when necessary avoid sun exposure if possible; otherwise use broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen as needed.
Follow your doctor’s post-treatment care instructions closely as this will reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation and other side effects from laser hair removal, including hyperpigmentation. This means avoiding other methods of hair removal like tweezing the treated area as well as exfoliation. In addition, make sure that you wear a hat, seek shade when possible and keep the area cool and moisturized throughout treatment.
Hyperpigmentation caused by laser treatments can sometimes be severe enough to require more intensive approaches to recovery. Your dermatologist may suggest hydroquinone-based products or more intensive approaches such as chemical peels or Cosmelan peels in order to lighten the skin; depending on the color of your complexion, this may take multiple sessions until its original tone has been restored.
Consultation
Laser hair removal is an efficient and cost-effective solution to remove unwanted body hairs, including upper lip hairs. While shaving or waxing may lead to darkening and discoloration of surrounding skin, lasers such as diode, alexandrite or Nd:YAG lasers remove hair follicles responsible for hair growth – leaving surrounding skin unaffected by discoloration or dark spots.
What can you do if your skin does not return to normal after laser treatments? If your complexion has darkened or shows signs of hyperpigmentation, make an appointment with a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist immediately; an experienced physician can advise on which treatments might work for your unique situation.
Dependent upon the severity of your hyperpigmentation, laser treatment, chemical peels or topical brighteners may be necessary in order to eliminate it. Laser treatments like COSMELAN and VERIFY laser can significantly reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation around lips while lightening any melasma caused by hormonal fluctuations or UV radiation exposure.
Keep this in mind when dealing with hyperpigmentation: many cases are temporary and treatable with proper sun protection, hydration and using products containing bleaching agents such as hydroquinone and Retin-A. By doing this you can effectively manage pigmentation issues on your skin.
Finding an experienced laser professional that specializes in facial rejuvenation treatments is of equal importance. Be wary of clinics offering cheap deals or offering “back door” services; and research the credentials and experience of your physician thoroughly before making your choice. Ideally, an expert dermatologist with in-depth knowledge about how different lasers affect different patients can recommend the optimal course of action to ensure safe and successful cosmetic results – get in touch with Nao Medical today to request an initial consultation with Dr. Michele Green and start on the road towards clearer skin!
