Why is the hair above my lip getting darker?
William Rodriguez
Published Jan 23, 2026
Darkening above the upper lip is super common after hair removal—and not just from shaving. Waxing and depilatories can also sometimes cause irritation and darkening of the skin.
Why is the hair on my upper lip getting darker?
Here's why you have more of it than you did when you were 20: hormones. Though a significant minority of women of all ages have coarse dark hair growing on their chin and upper lip because of a genetic predisposition, most women who have excess facial hair have an underlying hormonal issue, says Doris J.
Is dark hair above the lip normal?
Most people have facial hair above their lip—sometimes it's peach fuzz and sometimes it's darker. No matter the shade or the thickness, keeping it or shaving it is totally up to you!
How do I get rid of a dark shadow above my lip?
Dark skin on the upper lip is caused by excess melanin in the skin. You can reduce the appearance of this dark pigmentation by using an over-the-counter or prescription skin lightening cream. Hydroquinone is a very effective bleaching product for dark skin.
How do you get rid of a female mustache shadow?
Apply sunscreen at least half an hour before you step out. Avoid waxing the area and choose threading instead. - Dermatologist Geeta Oberoi suggests a few other options. “Skin lightening creams, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing are other alternatives,” she ends.
30 related questions foundWhy am I getting a mustache shadow?
Many women have a dark shadow on their upper lip, otherwise known as a mustache shadow. This skin blemish may appear temporarily or as a constant feature. Sun, hormonal changes or pregnancy can all cause the appearance of a mustache shadow above a woman's lip.
How can I stop my upper lip hair from growing?
Laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is an effective way to get rid of upper lip hair. During this procedure, a dermatologist directs a concentrated beam of light at the hair follicle to destroy the hair. Laser hair removal is not a permanent method, but its results can last for up to several months.
How can I reduce my upper lip hair naturally?
How to remove upper lip hair with honey
- Combine 1 tablespoon of honey and ½ tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Apply the mixture to your upper lip skin.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Soak a washcloth in warm water. Wring out excess water.
- Gently wipe off the honey-lemon paste and rinse the area with cool water.
What causes female Moustache?
Women develop excessive body or facial hair due to higher-than-normal levels of androgens, including testosterone. All females produce androgens, but the levels typically remain low. Certain medical conditions can cause a woman to produce too many androgens.
Will shaving upper lip make it darker?
No — shaving hair doesn't change its thickness, color or rate of growth. Shaving facial or body hair gives the hair a blunt tip. The tip might feel coarse or "stubbly" for a time as it grows out. During this phase, the hair might be more noticeable and perhaps appear darker or thicker.
Is it normal for a girl to have hair on her upper lip?
It is most common or normal for women to have fine facial hair on the outer corners of the upper lip and also on the chin. This normal facial hair is best described as peach fuzz.
What vitamins help reduce facial hair?
Magnesium, Zinc, and Copper: Magnesium, zinc, and copper can also help in the prevention of facial hair by decreasing the effect of testosterone. Magnesium can be taken in through foods like soybeans, whole grains, seeds, nuts etc. Zinc is found in pumpkin seeds, peanuts, dark chocolate etc.
How common is female facial hair?
Hirsutism, a condition when women have an excess of male hormones (and the facial hair that comes with it), is fairly common and affects approximately 7 percent of women in the US.
Does plucking upper lip hair make it darker?
However, repeated ripping of the hair from its follicle via waxing or plucking (which is essentially the same thing, when you think about it) will make hair grow back thicker, darker and coarser… and frequently, more plentiful and faster to re-grow.
Does hair grow back thicker after threading upper lip?
No, your hair will never grow thicker or darker after threading. Since threading removes the hair from the root, your hair will become finer over time.
Do guys notice upper lip?
Well, the answer is that a large number of men first notice a woman's fine soft hair (lanugo). But many men also said they pretend not to notice anything. ... However, about 40% of men said they would never remark on it to their wife, girlfriend or crush.
How do you get rid of a female Moustache or upper lip shadow?
A moustache shadow is a visible dark and thick layer of hair on your upper lip. You can overcome this issue by starting laser hair removal treatment, which is a safe, virtually painless method of removing unwanted hair.
How do I get rid of melasma mustache?
Dr. Akhtar suggests a multi-modal approach to successfully treat this skin condition. Treatment regimens usually include sun avoidance, one or more topical agents, oral medications and light or laser therapy. Limiting sun exposure and wearing sunscreen, especially on your face, can also help prevent melasma mustaches.
How can I get rid of dark skin above my upper lip home remedies?
Keep this in mind if you try them out:
- Coconut oil. Using your fingertip, take a very small amount of coconut oil and gently apply it evenly over your lips. ...
- Rose water. Mix together two drops of rose water to six drops of honey. ...
- Olive oil. ...
- Cucumber juice. ...
- Strawberry. ...
- Almond. ...
- Almond oil. ...
- Sugar.
Do guys notice facial hair?
Meanwhile, 40% of men answered that when getting intimate, a woman's facial hair is the first thing they noticed. However, about 40% of men said they would never remark on it to their wife, girlfriend or crush.
Why am I getting hair on my upper lip?
Hirsutism is excess hair growth on the body or face. It's caused by excess hormones called androgens. For women, the hair may grow in places where men often have a lot of hair, but women often don't. This includes the upper lip, chin, chest, and back.
What can a woman do with a mustache?
Common treatments include bleaching, waxing, and depilation. Others might prefer a more permanent laser or electrolysis treatment. The chosen method will often depend on how thick the female mustache is, how quickly it grows in, and how regularly a woman wants to address the issue.
How can a female stop facial hair growth?
Treatments for hirsutism
- losing weight if you're overweight – this can help control hormone levels.
- things you can do at home to remove or lighten the hair – such as shaving, waxing, plucking, hair removal creams or bleaching.
- a prescription cream to slow hair growth on your face (eflornithine cream)
What foods stop facial hair growth?
The traditional mixture of gram flour, turmeric and curd is said to marginally reduce hair growth. Apply this mixture on your face and rinse it once it dries. A mixture of papaya and turmeric helps contain hair growth, and what's more, it also exfoliates the skin.
What foods help get rid of facial hair?
If you find it tedious to visit a salon every few weeks, here are some simple and effective home remedies to remove your facial hair naturally.
- Sugar and Lemon Juice. ...
- Lemon and Honey. ...
- Oatmeal and Banana. ...
- Potato and Lentil. ...
- Egg White and Cornstarch.