What is the discolor above my lip and how do i get rid of it?

After I had my child four years ago, I noticed the color above my lip was getting darker and it looked like dirt or a mustache. I have tried several different things to get rid of it but it won't go away. It seems to get darker. In the mornings it is not that noticeable but as the day goes on it gets worse. I know it is not a mustache because I have no hair on my lip.
How do I treat this to get rid of it, and what could it possibly be?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to hyperpigmentation skin or melasma. Topical treatments with acids and chemical peels can be effective but can take a while for the skin to totally revert to its normal color.  Microdermabrasion can also be done, but this might require several sessions.  Skin resurfacing using lasers is also an option.  

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[coachws]

I often get cold sore or fever blisters when I was young.  As an adult, I changed my diet to keep from having them.  When I do get it, it leaves my skin around my mouth and on my lip a light blemish.  When I was younger, it would leave a dark blemish, but it would fade away.  The light blemish is still here. Is there anything I can use to darken the light blemishes.