The mustache shadow is the dark appearance of your upper lip area that usually occurs when you have shaved, waxed, or removed your upper lip hair in some way. It gives women a rather masculine appearance that is uncomfortable and unattractive to most women.
That is why it is important to address this problem and find solutions to nip the evil in the bud so that no one is ashamed of their appearance and every woman can go out with confidence.
So are you ready to find the solution to your problem?
Table of contents:- Part 1: Why do I have a mustache shadow?
- Part 2: How to get rid of the mustache shadow naturally and professionally
- Part 3: How to Get Rid of Mustache Shadow Naturally
- Part 4: How to get rid of female mustache shadow with a lifestyle change
- Part 5: Make-up and concealer techniques
- Part 6: Conclusion
Why do I have a mustache shadow?
Dark hair follicles
Some people have thicker hair follicles than others. When upper lip hair is trimmed above the surface, the underlying hairline appears dark, giving it the appearance of a mustache shadow.
Hyperpigmentation
When you are often in the sun, the sun's rays trigger the excessive production of melanin. The upper lip is the area most at risk because most people either don't apply sunscreen there or it is easily wiped off.
This overproduction of melanin leads to hyperpigmentation, or a darkening of the skin on the upper lip that looks like a mustache shadow.
Shaving techniques
The wrong shaving technique can also lead to a mustache shadow. For example, when dry shaving, you avoid bringing the blade too close to the skin to avoid cuts. This leaves some hairs behind that grow back during the day and look like a mustache shadow.
How to get rid of the mustache shadow naturally and professionally
IPL hair removal
The most efficient method is to use IPL hair removal devices such as the Ulike Sapphire Air 3 IPL device that allows you to remove hair and eliminate moustache shadow from the comfort of your own home. This device is so small that it can be easily used on your upper lip and it has a soft mode that allows you to treat moustache shadow without any hassle.
Chemical peels
If the mustache shadow is due to hyperpigmentation, you can try chemical peels to get rid of it. The chemical peels peel off the top dark layer of skin and reveal the new skin without excess melanin.
These peels usually contain glycolic acid, salicylic acid or another acid that will eliminate hyperpigmentation and leave your skin looking fresh and healthy. The effectiveness of peels can vary from person to person, so you should consult a dermatologist before purchasing a peel.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure in which a specialist removes the top layer of skin to treat acne, scars, hyperpigmentation and dark spots on the skin, revealing a new, healthy layer of skin.
This is a minimally invasive and painless procedure that you can try to get rid of your mustache shadow.
Dermatological treatments
There are various other dermatological treatments to get rid of mustache shadow. For example, a dermatologist may recommend oral medications such as tranexamic acid to interrupt the excess melanin production and treat the dark spots on your upper lip area.
In addition, dermatologists can also offer you micro-needling and laser treatments to solve your mustache shadow problems.
Consultation with a dermatologist or skin care specialist
There are various methods to get rid of mustache shadow at home or in the clinic, but it is best to consult a specialist before starting any treatment. Skin care specialists or dermatologists pay attention to your skin type, the main reason for the mustache shadow, and then recommend something based on their observations.
This can help you solve your problem without wasting time, effort and money on various ineffective methods.
How to get rid of mustache shadow naturally
Wondering how to get rid of moustache shadow after shaving? Then look no further because we have the answer.
Mask made from lemon juice and honey
A lemon and honey face mask is one of the best ways to treat hyperpigmentation and lighten the hair on your upper lip. Honey moisturizes the skin while the vitamin C in the lemon lightens it. Also, honey is a moisturizer while the lemon acts as a bleaching agent and lightens your hair.
All you have to do is mix 2 spoons of honey with a little lemon juice, apply it on the area above the upper lip and leave it for 15 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water and repeat once a week.
Turmeric paste
Turmeric inhibits melanin synthesis, thus preventing hyperpigmentation and dark spots, which are the main cause of mustache shadows. It also lightens your skin tone.
Make a paste of turmeric and milk and apply it on the upper lip area. Wait for some time and then wash it off. Repeating this several times can give good results.
Papaya and milk mask
The papaya and milk mask also helps to brighten the skin, eliminate wrinkles and improve collagen production to make your skin look radiant and fresh. It also has an exfoliating effect so you can get rid of dark spots above your upper lip and reduce the appearance of mustache shadows.
Mash four cubes of papaya and add them to 4 tablespoons of milk. Mix them, apply the paste and leave it for 15 minutes. Repeat this application twice a week to get good results.
Natural remedies for skin lightening
There are some foods like potatoes, lemons, papaya, turmeric and honey that act as natural skin lighteners. Their topical application helps in skin lightening. There is also kojic acid, a derivative of mushrooms that inhibits melanin production, thus reducing hyperpigmentation.
Over-the-counter topical creams and serums
Finally, there are some over-the-counter creams and serums to remove the mustache shadow. The creams and serums enriched with azelaic acid, retinol, kojic acid and hydroquinone are useful against mustache shadow.
How to get rid of female mustache shadow with a lifestyle change
Some changes in your lifestyle can also help prevent and get rid of the mustache shadow. Let's get to know them.
Sun protection
The sun is one of the main causes of mustache shadows because it causes hyperpigmentation and dark spots above your upper lip, so make sure you apply sunscreen with SPF 50 or more before you go out. Since the upper lip area can easily get wiped away, you should reapply every 2-3 hours.
Avoid excessive shaving
Excessive shaving causes skin discoloration because the razor blades constantly rub against your skin. It also makes your skin sensitive and vulnerable to free radical damage, which eventually leads to hyperpigmentation.
Also, shaving makes your hair ends look dark and thick, which can look like a mustache shadow, so avoid over-shaving and moisturize your skin after shaving.
Peeling and skin care routine
Adding some skin lightening agents like kojic acid, vitamin C, lactic acid, niacinamide, arbutin and hydroquinone to your skin care routine can help you treat mustache shadow.
In addition, regular cleansing, exfoliation and moisturizing of the skin can help get rid of hyperpigmented and dead skin cells and maintain the skin's protective barrier to fight the sun.
Nutritional considerations
An unhealthy diet can make your hyperpigmentation worse. Zinc deficiency, for example, causes excess melanin production. That's why you should eat green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, zucchini and peas. Also, including meat, fresh fruit and fish in your diet can help improve your skin.
Make-up and covering techniques
Color correction
You can use a color corrector to conceal your mustache shadow. An orange color corrector can hide hyperpigmentation very well in people with dark skin tones, while a peach color corrector is useful for people with lighter skin tones.
If you don't have a color corrector, you can use a red lipstick or blush and concealer instead.
Tips for applying foundation and concealer
You can also add an orange concealer to your makeup to completely cover the mustache shadow. To apply the concealer, take it on your finger and dab it around your upper lip area. Then apply the foundation with a medium to high coverage.
Choosing the right products for a natural look
When choosing make-up to hide and conceal moustache shadows, it is recommended to use products in orange/peach tones for light to medium skin tones.
Additionally, if you use a cream product instead of powder makeup products, the shadow of the mustache will be less visible, making your skin look smoother and giving an overall natural look.
Mixed techniques
To reduce the appearance of mustache shadow, it's important to moisturize your skin before applying foundation and apply a primer to help it blend easily. If your primer or skin is too dry, your makeup brush won't sit flat on your skin, making it appear uneven and increasing the appearance of your mustache shadow.
To blend, choose a flat brush that glides smoothly over your skin and applies the foundation evenly to achieve an even skin tone.
Conclusion
Mustache shadow is mostly caused by improper shaving, dark hair follicles and hyperpigmentation. However, it can be combated with IPL devices or procedures such as microdermabrasion, micro-needling or laser, as well as by changing your lifestyle and diet. But first, you should consult a dermatologist to find a solution that is suitable for your skin.
Since different methods work for different people, you should keep searching until you find the right answer to your problem. This requires accepting yourself without exception so that you remain confident and less vulnerable on your journey to healthy and flawless skin.
