Right above my upper lip won\'t tan!?!?!?

[Cheryl]

Anyone ever heard of this?? Right where a man would have a mustache (I am female) won't tan. No, I do not have a problem with facial hair. This has only been a problem for me during the last 5 years or so and I really want to start a tan this year but haven't gone back to the tanning salon because of this problem. I have no idea why this is happening. When I tan, I have a total untanned area there, almost like having a white mustache. I was searching the internet for help and came across this forum, and I am hoping someone can help me.
Thanks!
Cheryl

[njchica]

I've never heard of that before.... hopefully the pros will have some advice for you. you can always a bronzing lotion (one that contains sunless tanner) on that area to help it match the rest of your body.

[Anya1976]

wow good question. yea use a self tanner or some bronzing powder to even things out. hopefully a pro wanders around here soon for that answer

[Cheryl]

Thanks for the replies. I have been so anxiously waiting for someone to come along and have an answer but still nothing. I know I can't be the only one who has had this problem. Please, if you have any knowledge on what I can do, or maybe another site that I can go to that might have an answer for me, please let me know. I have in the past tried using makeup and color to try to blend in this area but it really doesn't work, but thank you for the suggestion. Please, any help or direction is so appreciated! Thank you!

[njchica]

our pros are currently very busy as it is the tanning "busy season".... their salons are like Macy's on Christmas Eve. I'm sure they will pop in when they get a minute.

[MoraBella30]

Do you wax, or use a creme bleach in that area? Maybe its from lip balm with a spf bleeding up a bit ????

[MoraBella30]

Do you wax, or use a creme bleach in that area? Maybe its from lip balm with a spf bleeding up a bit ????

[Cheryl]

No, I do not wax or use anything different in that area than I do anywhere else on my face. I use a simple moisturizer and sometimes a foundation makeup on my entire face. I do not bleach, I do not use lip balms, just sometime a lipstick and I never where any makeup or lipstick at all on my face or lips when tanning. I am so hoping someone here can help! Thanks!

[Jungle Kitty]

Hmm, I have never heard of this personally. You might want to try a tanning lotion made specifically for the face such as Saving Face by Designer Skin or Illuminate by California Tan. These might help to bring up the melanin in that area.

[Cheryl]

Ok, I guess I will try the lotion specifically for the face and see how it goes. Thanks for the 2 recommendations, are either of them better or not for people who freckle easily? Thanks again!

[sherlynn 01]

Cheryl , i would try putting a self tanner on your lips. Theyhave some real good ones out there. good luck with your tanning.

[Cheryl]

Thanks for the suggestion! I had my second tanning session today. Yesterday they had me do 6 minutes and today 8 and all seems ok so far. I can notice a slight color and my face looks even so far so I am hoping for the best. They (the salon) recommended Frosted Hemp for my body and face so that is what I have been using. I am going to order the Illuminate for my face though, hope to have it ordered and here next week. Thanks again for all of the suggestions and help!

[RayP]

aggggh!!! i have the same problem! i looks almost like i have a milk mustache!

[Cheryl]

FINALLY!!! Someone else! Now I don't feel so lonely!! I asked the salon yesterday before I started tanning and she said that as we get older (I am 39) our faces become harder to tan but with the beds they have and with the lotions that are out now it shouldn't be a problem. So I am waiting, although as the day is going by, in just 2 sessions I have really gotten some color, especially on my face and I am fairly even including above my lip!

[sarah29]

this might be a stupid suggestion but usually a place that won't tan is because maybe you have a sun spot there. try wipe out by body drench and see if that might help clear it up. also don't use tingles on your face because on me they make white spots.

[Laurel]

Quote:
On 2003-06-13 01:38, sarah29 wrote:
also don't use tingles on your face because on me they make white spots.


Yes, please don't ever use tingles on your face. When I use a tingle I do so on my body and then use a browning lotion on my face.

[RayP]

my lips kind of come out of my face i wonder if thats whats happening? hmm.. silly visual - ill put a pic of myself in my gallery.

[meltdbutta]

Is a salon OWNER going to answer this....

melty

[TikiTan]

1) Let me ask is this a new problem or has it always been this way?
2) Tell me specifically what you use on your face?

"There are various reasons why we lose the ability to tan especially as we age. Generally speaking we naturally we lose approximately 6-8% melanocyte density per decade as we age. This is a natural process and occurs both in uv-exposed and non-exposed skin, but is most common on the head, face and forearms (which by the way at birth have the greatest density of melanocytes). "

"Mock-like hypo-pigmentation can also be caused by use of OTC skin lightening creams, (here is the take home interesting point to remember) many of which are not directly labeled as skin lighteners."

"A few of the ingredients that have been shown to lighten the skin are Diacetyl Benzoyl Lathyrol, Hydroquinone (most common), Triticum Vulgare (wheat) Germ Extract. "

Remember "facial lotions and body washes sold in the salon environment are not the same as products purchased over the counter at your standard food and drug retail outlet." They are designed with tanning in mind...

[star]

are you using a lip balm? most have spf in them. if you use one and you put it on a little bit outside the lip area that could be it.

[Cheryl]

Thanks again for the help. When I posted this question it was because I had been avoiding the sun because above my lip would stay completely white but after hearing about all the new products here on this board and talking to a salon here in my area I went ahead and started tanning at the salon and my face is tanning fairly evenly. I had been having the problem for about 5 years and I do not use any thing on this area that is different from anywhere else on my face, and no, I do not use lip balms. I have now had my sixth session and there is only a very slight difference in color in this area than the rest of my face and is probably only noticed by me. I am using Frosted Hemp on my face and body though I am waiting for Illuminate in the mail as my salon does not carry it and I can't wait to try it since it is specifically for the face. Again, thank you all so much for all of your suggestions and help! I really enjoy reading and learning from this board!

[TikiTan]

Cheryl.. May I suggest 2 things if this problem continues... 1) Matahari Lustrous (bronzer in it would even out the tone) and 2) California Tans Suddenly Sun Powder (apply over foundation or in place of foundation~ works great)

[Cheryl]

Regarding a bronzer, when can someone start using a bronzing lotion? I think I might be to new to start using one. Do I have to have a good tan first? Today was only my 7th session but I do have the starting of a tan, everyone keeps asking me if I have been out in the sun. They should know I haven't because summer STILL hasn't shown up here!

[laubro2002]

I have a similar problem that maybe someone can help me with. I used a wax on my upper lip a year ago and a few hours later went to the pool, needless to say, that skin burnt a bit due to the wax. That summer I endured a tan mustache (i'm female) Learning my lesson, I have not waxed since but alas, this year I again have the tan mustache...the upperlip is tanning a different color than the rest of my face. any suggestions?

[Mrc4608]

Sounds like it's a harmone problem to me. Are you on birth control or harmones?
Also if you bleach or wax this area it will become difficult to tan.