What can cause hyperpigmentation of lips despite smoking and drinking?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I have reviewed your pictures (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). Hyperpigmentation of the lips can occur due to multiple factors like genetic, dietary, melanin production due to sun exposure, dehydration, salivary accumulation, frequent allergies, frequent habitual licking of lips, vitamin deficiencies, hormonal fluctuations, and dryness. Medications need to be used consistently for a long duration as the disappearance of hyperpigmentation requires time. Also, medications have limitations. So instead, dermatological procedures are more beneficial and show faster results.

I suggest the below treatment:

• Kojivit Plus cream (Kojic Acid Dipalmitate, Arbutin, Mulberry seed extract, Grape seed extract, Allantoin, and Octinoxate) to be applied to the affected area in very small quantities at night.
• Sebamed lip defense balm with SPF 30 to be applied as two layers on the lips twice daily.
• Dermaco vitamin C serum may be applied on your lips in the morning before applying Sebamed lip defense lip balm. However, wait for at least five mins after applying the serum to use the lip balm.
• Limcee 500 mg (Vitamin C) chewable tablets after dinner for two months.
• Capsule Evion 400 mg (Vitamin E) once daily at night for two months.
• Capsule Becosules Z (Multivitamins and Zinc) once daily in the morning after breakfast for one month.
• Avoid red meat, oily foods, dairy products, and sweets.
• Consume more fruits, vegetables, and at least ten glasses of water daily to keep your skin and lips hydrated.

Consult a specialist doctor, talk to him or her, and start the medicines with their consent).

In case of family history, it can be considered a normal pigmentation and usually does not fade away. However, using creams, medications, and procedures will help lessen the pigmentation. Dermatological procedures include chemical peels containing glycolic acid, kojic acid, and azelaic acid every two weeks to one month on the face and lips for at least six sessions and laser therapy, where a laser beam penetrates the skin and helps in breaking down the melanin pigment leading to hyperpigmentation. This is done every month. I suggest you consult a dermatologist to get these procedures done. Lip pigmentation procedures are also available. It is a single-session procedure that helps achieve the desired lip pigmentation. However, it requires post-procedure maintenance and care and can be done only if the patient is 18 years old.

If medications alone are used, it may take a few months to show the results. However, a combination therapy of medications and procedures helps achieve results faster.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.