By Laura
August 25, 2023
7 minutes
Mustache shadow is the dark appearance of your upper lip area that usually appears after you shaved, waxed, or removed your upper lip hair in any way. It gives women more of a masculine look that feels embarrassing and discouraging for most females.
Therefore, it is necessary to address this issue and find some solutions to nip the evil in the bud so that no one ever feels ashamed of their appearance and every woman can go out confidently.
So, are you ready to find the solution to your problem?
Why Do I Have a Mustache Shadow?
Dark Hair Follicles
Some people have thicker hair follicles than others. When the upper lip hair is trimmed above the surface, the underlying hair edges appear dark which makes it look like a mustache shadow.
Hyperpigmentation
When you are frequently exposed to the sun, the sun’s rays trigger the excess production of melanin. The upper lip is the area that is most at risk of exposure because most people either do not apply sunscreen there or it gets wiped off easily.
This overproduction of melanin leads to hyperpigmentation or dark skin appearance on the upper lip that appears like a mustache shadow.
Shaving techniques
The wrong shaving technique can also result in an upper lip mustache shadow. For example, While dry shaving, people avoid taking the blade too close to the skin to prevent any cuts. As a result, some of your hair is left behind that grows during the day and feels like a mustache shadow.
How to Get Rid of Mustache Shadow Naturally Professionally
IPL Hair Removal
The most efficient method is using IPL hair removal devices like the Ulike Sapphire Air 3 handset that allows hair removal and eradication of mustache shadow at the convenience of your house. This device is small enough to be easily used on your upper lip and has a soft mode to treat the mustache shadow without any discomfort.
Chemical Peels
If the mustache shadow is due to hyperpigmentation, you can try chemical peels to get rid of it. The chemical peels exfoliate the upper dark skin layer and resurface the new skin with no excess melanin.
These peels usually have glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or another acid that gets rid of hyperpigmentation and makes your skin look fresh and healthy. The efficacy of peels can vary from person to person so it is best to contact a dermatologist before buying one.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure done by a professional in which he removes the upper layer of skin to treat acne, scars, hyperpigmentation, and any dark patches on the skin. As a result, a new healthy skin layer resurfaces.
This is a minimally invasive and nearly painless procedure so you can try it to get rid of your mustache shadow.
Dermatological Treatments
There are various other dermatological treatments to get rid of mustache shadow. For instance, a dermatologist can recommend oral medications like tranexamic acid to interrupt excess melanin production and treat the dark patches on your upper lips.
Moreover, dermatologists can also offer you micro-needling, and laser treatments for solving your concerns regarding mustache shadow.
Consultation with a Dermatologist or Skin Care Specialist
There are various at-home and in-office methods for getting rid of mustache shadow but the best way is to consult a professional before starting any treatment. Skincare specialists or dermatologists take notice of your skin type, the main reason behind mustache shadow, and then recommend something based on their observations.
This can help you solve your problem without wasting your time, effort, and money on various ineffective methods.
How to Get Rid of Mustache Shadow Naturally
Wondering how to get rid of mustache shadow after shaving? Well, go no further because we have the answer.
Lemon Juice and Honey Mask
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 Vitamin C in lemon brightens it. Moreover, honey is a humectant while lemon acts as a bleaching agent to lighten your hair.
All you need to do is mix 2 spoons of honey in some lemon juice and apply it on the upper lip area for 15 minutes. Rinse it with cold water and repeat this once every week.
Turmeric Paste
Turmeric inhibits the synthesis of melanin thus preventing hyperpigmentation and dark spots that are the main cause of mustache shadow. Moreover, it also lightens your skin tone.
Make a paste of turmeric and milk, and apply it on the upper lip. Wait for some time and wash it. Repeating this several times can show you effective results.
Papaya and Milk Mask
Papaya and milk mask also help in skin lightening, getting rid of wrinkles, and improving collagen production for your skin to look bright and fresh. It also has some exfoliating properties so you can get rid of dark spots above your upper lip and reduce the appearance of mustache shadow.
Mash four cubes of papaya and add them to 4 spoons of milk. Mix and apply the paste for 15 minutes. Repeat this twice a week for useful results.
Natural Skin-lightening Agents
There are some food items like potato, lemon, papaya, turmeric, and honey, that act as natural skin-lightening agents. Their topical application helps in skin-lightening. There is also kojic acid, the derivative of fungi that can aid in inhibiting melanin production and thus reduce hyperpigmentation.
Over-the-counter Topical Creams and Serums
Lastly, there are some over-the-counter topical creams and serums available to get eliminate the mustache shadow. The creams and serums enriched in azelaic acid, retinol, kojic acid, and hydroquinone are useful against mustache shadows.
How to Get Rid of Female Mustache Shadow with Lifestyle Changes
Some changes in your lifestyle can also help prevent and remove the mustache shadow. Let’s get to know them.
Sun Protection
Sun is one of the main reasons behind mustache shadow as it causes hyperpigmentation and dark spots above your upper lip. So, make sure you are wearing sunscreen with SPF 50 or more before going out. As the upper lip area can be easily wiped off, apply it after every 2-3 hours.
Avoiding Excessive Shaving
Excessive shaving causes skin discoloration due to continuous abrasion of shaving razors against the skin. It also makes your skin sensitive and prone to free-radical damage that eventually leads to hyperpigmentation.
Moreover, shaving makes your hair edges look dark and thick which might feel like mustache shadow. So, avoid excessive shaving, and moisturize your skin after shaving.
Exfoliation and Skincare Routine
Adding some skin-lightening agents like kojic acid, vitamin C, Lactic acid, niacinamide, arbutin, and hydroquinone to your skin care can help you treat the mustache shadow.
Moreover, cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing the skin regularly can help get rid of hyperpigmented and dead skin cells, and retain the protective barrier of the skin to fight against the sun.
Dietary Considerations
An unhealthy diet can worsen your hyperpigmentation. For example, zinc deficiency causes excess melanin production. So, eat green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, zucchini, and peas. Additionally, adding meat, fresh fruits, and fish to your diet can help clear up your skin.
Makeup and Concealing Techniques
Color Correction
You can use a color corrector to conceal your mustache shadow. An orange color corrector can hide the hyperpigmentation very well in those with dark skin tones while a peach color corrector is useful for those with lighter skin tones.
If you don’t have a color corrector, use can use red lipstick or blush and concealer instead.
Foundation and Concealer Application Tips
You can also add an orange concealer to your makeup to make sure the mustache shadow hides completely. To apply the concealer, put 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 makeup for hiding and concealing mustache shadow, it is recommended to use orange/peachy-toned products for fair to medium skin tones.
Moreover, using a cream product instead of powder makeup products will decrease the appearance of a mustache shadow. This will leave your skin looking smoother and create an overall natural appeal.
Blending Techniques
To reduce the appearance of a mustache shadow it is important to moisturize and apply primer to your skin before using foundation for easy blending. If your skin primer or if your skin is too dry, your makeup brush will not lay flat on your skin, making it appear uneven and increasing the appearance of your mustache shadow.
When blending, choose a flat brush to smoothly glide over your skin and evenly apply foundation for an even skin tone.
Conclusion
Mustache shadow is mostly caused by improper shaving, dark hair follicles, and hyperpigmentation. But, it can be tackled by using IPL devices or undergoing procedures like microdermabrasion, micro-needling, or laser and changing your lifestyle and diet. But before that consult a dermatologist to find a solution that is suitable for your skin.
As different methods work for different people so keep exploring until you find the right answer to your problem. To do this, you need to accept yourself without any exceptions so that you can stay confident and least vulnerable throughout your journey of healthy and flawless skin.
