There may be a variety of reasons due to which lips turn black. And it often gives a very odd look to the affected person. If you have a naturally dark complexion, then it’s absolutely fine; however, if you do not have a naturally dark complexion and only your lips have suddenly grown dark, it does look very odd indeed. The common causes of dark lips are: smoking (the most common of all), use of improper cosmetics (like cheap lipsticks), excessive consumption of tea or coffee, exposure to sun’s rays, dryness of skin, and allergy.
Most often dark lips are a result of smoking. So, to treat your dark lips completely, you will have to quit smoking. Smoking burns and discolors the lips and makes the lips dark. Also, avoid using cosmetics if you find them to be the reason behind dark lips. Whenever you have to buy cosmetics, choose a reputed brand. Also, before applying any cosmetics on your lips, you can test it on your skin to check if it might be allergic to your body. Similarly, cut down on caffeinated drinks like tea or coffee if they are responsible for your dark lips. Excessive consumption of these drinks can make your skin darker. If sunlight, dryness, or allergy is causing dark lips, try and avoid going out in the sun without protecting your face. Use proper UV-protective sunscreen lotion to protect your skin and lips before going out in the sun. And most importantly, drink plenty of water so that the skin is not dehydrated.
To remedy dark lips there are a number of home remedies to choose from. You can apply a natural bleach like lime juice to lighten the darkness of lips. Applying banana paste, honey, yoghurt, and glycerin can also help your lips regain its color. You can leave them applied on your lips overnight for best results. To exfoliate the dark skin on your lips, you can also brush your lips gently with a mild toothbrush in the morning. However, be extremely careful so that you do not hurt the skin on your lips in any way. Besides trying out these remedies, you should also take care to follow a healthy and nutritious diet. Include a lot of fresh green vegetables and fruits in your daily diet. Whole grains, sprouts, cereals, milk products can also be included. However, do avoid spicy foods, processed foods, and other ready-to-eat items. A regular routine of daily exercise may also keep your body fit and healthy and bring back natural color to your lips.
