Why do I have dark pigmentation around my mouth and lips?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

I understand how distressing pigmentation around the mouth and chin can be, especially when it persists despite treatment. Based on the details you have shared, pigmentation around the mouth angles and below the lower lip is unlikely to improve with prolonged use of Mometasone furoate.

Rather, using a topical steroid on the face for six months can worsen pigmentation, cause skin thinning, steroid-induced dermatitis, or perioral changes, which may actually make the area look darker over time. This type of pigmentation could be due to perioral hyperpigmentation, post-inflammatory pigmentation, lip-licking dermatitis, friction, hormonal factors, or contact reactions (to toothpaste, lip products, or cosmetics).

To understand the exact cause and guide proper treatment, a few details are very important. I would like to ask you some questions:

1. Do you experience itching, redness, burning, or scaling in this area?

2. Do you have a habit of lip licking, rubbing the area, or frequent mask use?

3. Have you noticed darkening after sun exposure?

4. Are your periods regular, and do you have any signs of hormonal imbalance (acne, excess facial hair)?

5. What toothpaste, lip balm, or cosmetics do you use regularly?

6. Did the pigmentation start suddenly or gradually? If possible, please share a clear picture of the affected area (front view, in good lighting).

This will help in identifying whether this is melasma, steroid-induced pigmentation, perioral dermatitis, or another condition and will allow more accurate guidance. For now, I would strongly advise stopping Mometasone on the face without supervision, as it is not meant for long-term facial use.

Use SPF (sun protection factor) 50 sunblock in the morning and afternoon to avoid getting further pigmentation. Please feel free to contact me for proper diagnosis and management.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.