Oftentimes we notice that our lips have become darker than their usual pinkish tone. This is what is termed lip pigmentation and falls under the umbrella of hyperpigmentation where certain parts of skin get darker than others. Lip hyperpigmentation is caused by an array of reasons such as bad lifestyle choices, allergic reactions, environmental factors, et al.

Lip pigmentation occurs when there is excess melanin development in the lips, giving the lips a brown-greyish tone. 

What Causes Lip Pigmentation? 

Lip pigmentation can be caused by the same factors that result in hyperpigmentation, such as over-exposure to harmful rays of the sun, allergic reactions to certain products, et al. some common reasons behind the darkening of lips are: 

• Smoking: one of the most common reasons for lip pigmentation is smoking. Smoking also results in skin ageing as it contains nicotine. As a result, the skin develops wrinkles and lines much faster than usual. Further, as per studies, smoking develops melanin, making the lips appear darker. Studies suggest that after giving up smoking, people see a reduction in the appearance of “smoker’s lips.”
• Lack of Sun Protection: this is a no-brainer, over-exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun can lead to lip pigmentation.
• Allergic Reactions: well, it can’t be stressed enough that skincare is not a “one shoe fits all” category, what works wonders for others may not work for you. 
• Harsh makeup removal products: makeup removal products are something which we use directly over our lips to remove lipsticks and glosses. While they are great for cleaning makeup from the surface, some of them contain harsh chemicals that can cause the lips to darken. 

  How to take care of Lip Pigmentation? 

  Lip pigmentation can be treated with ease by using the right products, adjusting your lifestyle, as well as using some easy home remedies.

• Exfoliation: exfoliation helps remove dead cells from the surface of the skin and reveals healthy and fresh skin. There are several lip exfoliators and scrubs available in the market for you to try out. If you are looking for a quick home remedy for lip exfoliation, the answer is sugar. Sugar is a natural exfoliant and all you need to do is mix sugar with an emollient into a paste and rub it all over your lips. 

• Pro tip: use sugar with lemon juice as lemon juice can help reduce melanin production.