so in the summer I notice that the skin above my top lip gets darker, I think from the sun. I think because my sunscreen probably sweats off there?
does anyone else get this? is there anything I can do, should I use a stronger sunscreen on that area or a special sunscreen or something?
It's hormonal. Look up "mask of pregnancy". I get it, too. However, since I have been off estrogen-based BC, it's gotten 10 times better.
We rub our noses hundreds of times per day. Keep a tub of lip balm or a tube of something with sunscreen in it and apply it several times per day, or even when you are in the car our outside.
Melasma. It is triggered by the sun, even after pregnancy. If it really bothers you, you'll need to get with a dermatologist there is medication you can take.
other than that, you may need to get a better sunscreen for that area of your face and wear protection (hat, visor) when out "in" the sun (not just running errands, etc - but at the pool, ball games, etc).
I had this and had to use sunscreen, etc. It took about three years before it didn't come back. . .
My moisturizer has SPF 25 (Clinqiue), that seems to stay on. I prefer that to sunblock becuase it is made specifically designed for your face.
I get this, too. I wear a lot of sunscreen- I have liked Kiss My Face brand because of its light scent and it is not greasy. My friend is an esthetician and used some sort of lightening agent on it once which lightened it up for about a month. She also suggested that I not wax upper lip as the newly waxed area of skin will be especially sensitive to sun exposure. Thanks for asking this question; the answers you have received have been really helpful to me! My mom has melasma all over her face (big patches) but she has fair skin, while I have a darker olive tone, and it never registered with me that my upper lip thing could be melasma too, since that is the only place I have it, but I just looked it up and am pretty sure that is what it is. She wears a lot of big hats when out gardening or at the lake and has tried chemical peels without a lot of success but covers it pretty well with makeup.
Hi AK,
I would also apply any sunblock on 1/2 hour before going out. the research says that it takes 20 minutes for sunblock to start protecting.
in addition, i would probably add a layer of face powder with spf 15 on top of the sunblock. just to seal it in.
best of luck,
jilly
