LIP CARE

 

Dark upper lip treatment using lemon juice

Considering that almost every individual today is excessively obsessed with our own appearances, we offer very little consideration to the state and beauty of one of the most sensuous parts of the human body – the lips. While our skin and hair are always treated with a number of different procedures, lotions and creams to enhance their grandeur, the lips are often simply forgotten about. The cells present in the lips are the same as the ones that are present in the skin and react exactly the same way to environmental as well as habitual factors. For example, when exposed to high amounts of sunlight, the skin will start to darken its pigmentation in order to beat off the harmful effects of the ultra violet rays. The cells in the lips react exactly the same way to exposure to the sun and are as likely to suffer from hyper-pigmentation – where any excess melanin starts to collect at certain locations making it appear as though certain parts are darker than others. Habitual factors that contribute to the darkening of the skin include excessive smoking, drinking large amounts of coffee or tea or even the use o cheap lipsticks or chemicals that react negatively to your skin.

If the primary cause of the darkened lips is any one or a combination of the habitual factors, the best and most obvious course of action would be to significantly cut down or completely avoid the causes. If it is a result of hyper-pigmentation, you should avoid going out in the sun as much as possible and also making sure that you apply some good quality lip balm at all times. It would be advisable to use one that has an SPF of no less than 30.  Regular exfoliation of your lips will help in removing any dead skin cells that may still be stuck to the upper layers of your lips – causing them to appear darker. Try using a very soft toothbrush to brush away any of these dead layers of skin and expose the newer, lighter layer of skin cells underneath. You must, however, make sure that you do not apply too much pressure as this may damage your lips even further.  If you sleep in an air conditioned room, you should also make it a habit to apply some petroleum jelly over your lips in the night, before you go to bed. Lime juice is considered to be a natural bleaching agent and should work wonders in reducing the darkness of your lips if regularly applied to them over a period of time.

After you brush your teeth every morning, try using your toothbrush to 'exfoliate' your lips too! It should brush off some dead cells and promote the growth of new ones. Also, do not forget that lip balm! Are your lips chapped and dehydrated? Fix what you already have by first using an old toothbrush and brushing your lips with Vaseline (do this every other day).

Then you need to use Vaseline or your favorite lip balm on your lips every night before you go to bed. Make sure to pile it on at night (do this every night). Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Remember to wear a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher to protect them. After a few days you'll notice a dramatic difference. Keep this up, and make it an everyday habit.

Try to apply concealer over your entire lip. Then use your favorite lipstick and you'll look prettier and healthier. For best results, use a lip liner before applying lipstick. Some lipstick contain materials which actually make your lips darker after regular use (a high percentage of lead or something). So, use only mild varieties of lipstick, lipliner, pencils and glosses. Drink more water, it really helps to pump up the lips.

Every night before going to bed, apply vaseline petroleum jelly on the lips with your fingers (they come in a small bottle as well) if you sleep with the AC on every night. The next day, use a toothbrush to brush away the leftover vaseline and dead skin on the lips (very effective for cracked lips) after your normal brushing. You will see your lips getting redder and 'more pumped up'.

This also helps if you have recurring problems of cracked lips or peeling skin that stays on your lips (and you tend to bite them away). Vaseline deals with uneven lips and helps in having a healthy smile. Your lipsticks may not be suitable for you. Care for your lips. It does have something to do with metabolism. Dark lips may be due to an unhealthy diet and unsuitable lipsticks.

You have to be careful when choosing a brand that is suitable for you. Stop it immediately when you notice changes with your natural lip colour. As for a healthy diet, try to eat more fruits and avoid caffeine and smoking. Another method that can help is to drink more red dates water. Put about 6 dates in a cup and pour hot water on it. Wait about 1/2 hr or 45 minutes before you drink it.

It is convenient, easy to prepare and good for your blood circulation. Try it a few times a week. Apply a thin layer of toothpaste to your lips before you go to sleep. Your lips in the morning will be redder and cleaner. Your lip colour might have to do with what you eat because it is vital to have a balanced diet. If you don't have a balanced 

diet, then eat more healthy food.

Lip care for dark lips

Lady with dark lip tends to use lipstick more than others. Dark lips can be a natural color of one’s lip or can result due to smoking, drinking tea or coffee in excess or sometimes it may be your natural color. Here are some tips for people with dark lips.

1. A simple method is to use Vaseline, but this is a temporary cure and need to be applied everyday.

2. If you smoke, please stop it, since this will worsen the lip color and your health.

3. Applying ghee is very usefull to bring back the lip color alive.

4. For a lady with dark skin and lips it is best to go with plum or wine lipstick. It is best to avoid bright reds and pinks shades.

5. Use good quality lipstick, and check for expiry date. When at home try to remove the lipstick coat from your lips.

6. Apply lip balm or lipstick with sunblock.

7. Before sleeping massage your lips with 2 drops of a mixture of honey, lime juice and glycerin.

8. Almond oil can also be used, this helps to cure discoloration in any part of the body.

9. Apply a mixture of glycerin, saffron and rose flower leaf at night before sleeping.

10. Apply a mixture of milk and saffron and apply it at night.

We all face the problem of dark lips at some point. This could occur if they are subject to sunlight and or if they are not exfoliated appropriately. During such times, dead skin accumulates around our lips making them a shade darker than our natural skin tone. Some women naturally have darker lips. Subtle shades like pink or peach, especially in a light glossy texture do not suit such lips. Their color gets masked behind the natural color of our lips.

The trick to wearing the right lipstick is to go for shades that have a deeper concentration. For instance, you can choose pink or peach, but only if they are have a more intense and opaque texture. If the consistency of these shades is transparent or translucent, then they will look more like a smudge on your face. Or worse, it might look like you are not wearing any lipstick at all. All colors in metallic or shimmery tones suit darker lips. Some colors that look fabulous on dark lips are reds, purples, and browns. However, while choosing these colors be careful about their undertones.

         

While choosing purple, make sure that it is a dark shade. This can be berry, blackberry, violet, mauve, plum, as a deeper purple compliments warmer tone of the dark skin perfectly. Copper is a great choice to jazz up an evening look, especially if your dress is in a darker color like black or red. Whereas brown and chocolate colored lipsticks are better during the daytime. A few more shades of brown that flatter darker lips are, mahogany, walnut and caramel. Reds can be worn during the day as well as night. But opt for a deeper shade of red, like wine, burgundy, fuchsia, maroon and rose red. If you have an olive complexion, the red shade of the fire engine would look best on you. Rust color is also a good choice for daywear, you can also just mix your red and brown lipstick to get this shade.

Some people are born with naturally dark lips whereas others may develop a dark upper lip or lower lip or both on account of various factors such as exposure to sun, excessive application of lipstick, allergies, smoking, using lip products of cheap brands, dryness, excessive intake of tea and coffee. An effective dark lips remedy is to drink plenty of milk on a regular basis as the lactic acid present in milk is known to have highly potent whitening properties. Additionally, milk is also known to accelerate the dead skin removal process. A home remedy for dark lips treatment is to use beeswax which is considered to be a highly dependable emulsifier and is also known for its ability to moisturize, protect, seal and help whiten the skin because of which it is used in many lip care and skin care products. Cocoa butter is also effective in lightening dark lips as it is rich in antioxidants that soften and protect the skin and are also excellent emollient. Additionally, cocoa butter is also known to relive irritation and diminish wrinkles and stretch marks. Another natural dark lips remedyis to increase the intake of Vitamin C rich foods. 

Vitamin C tends to restrict the production of melanin which is the pigment that gives the skin its dark color. It is also essential to exfoliate the skin on a regular basis so that the dead skin cells are removed thereby allowing the new skin to develop. One can also gently massage the lips every night with a lip balm. Additionally, to keep the skin naturally hydrated and supple one should drink at least eight glasses of water every day. It is essential to check the expiry dates of all lip products before continuing to use them or else they may cause darkening of the lips. One should also remove all remnants of lipstick before going to bed every night so as to allow the skin to breathe. It is also advisable to avoid using lip care products that contain hydroquinone or other such harmful chemicals as they may cause the lips to darken over a period of time. Another home remedy for dark lips is to apply a fine paste of sour cream, a ripe banana and some honey on ones lips every day and allowing it to remain for at least 10 minutes before washing it off. One can also dab some apple cider vinegar on dark lips twice a day so as to lighten them naturally.