Do you have a black or dark line running across the bridge of your nose? If so, you may be wondering where the line came from, if it’s a sign of something serious, and what you can do to get rid of it. We have all the answers you’re looking for about a black line across your nose. Read on to learn what is a black line across nose, what causes it, a description of what a black line across the nose looks like, and how to get rid of the line on nose permanently.
What Is the Black Line Across Your Nose?
What exactly is that black line across your nose? A black line across nose is usually the result of hyperpigmentation which is when certain parts of the skin become darker than other areas.
The technical term for a dark horizontal line on nose is “hyperpigmented horizontal nasal crease” or “transverse nasal crease.” In the next sections we’ll explain what this line looks like and what causes it to appear.
What Does a Black Line Across Nose Look Like?
How the black line looks can vary from person to person, depending on their skin tone, how long they’ve had the line, and if they have particularly sensitive skin. The line typically runs horizontally across the bridge of the nose. It may be a thin or thick line, and it can range in darkness from barely noticeable to much darker than the rest of your skin.
For some people, the line may be white or lighter than the rest of their skin. Oftentimes there is also a crease or indentation across the nose along with the line, but this isn’t always the case.
What Causes a Dark Horizontal Line on Nose?
What causes a black line across nose? Is it a serious problem? There are several reasons you may have a hyperpigmented horizontal nasal crease, and fortunately none of them are serious.
The most common cause of a black line across your nose is allergies. Common allergy complaints include a runny nose, an itchy nose, and general irritation. To relieve these symptoms, allergy sufferers will often rub their nose to either get rid of mucus or try to alleviate the itching. This pushes the nose upward and is sometimes known as the “allergy salute”.
As the nose is pushed upward repeatedly, sebum, an oil produced by skin glands, begins to accumulate on the bridge of the nose. After a while, the sebum begins to darken as it is exposed to oxygen. This is what causes the dark line to appear on the bridge of your nose. Less common causes for a dark line across the nose include an injury to the area or a family history of hyperpigmentation.
How Can You Get Rid of a Black Line on Your Nose?
Not sure how to get rid of line on nose? Unfortunately, there usually isn’t an easy fix for getting rid of a black line across nose. Sometimes the line will fade or disappear on its own, especially if it was light to begin with, but this is pretty rare. Don’t despair though! There are things you can do to get rid of the line. Below are three steps to follow.
#1: Stop the Line From Getting Darker
Before you begin treatment options, you want to stop or reduce any habits you have that will cause the line to come back or make it darker. If you often push up your nose because it’s itching or to wipe away mucus, stop doing this! Many people do this without realizing it, so pay close attention, and if you notice your hand straying towards your nose, stop!
If you’re struggling with allergies, use these two methods instead of pushing up your nose:
- Take antihistamines to reduce nasal itching and congestion.
- Blow your nose instead of wiping it.
You can also talk to an allergist to see if they have other suggestions for medication you can take to alleviate your symptoms. Additionally, you should always regularly apply sunscreen to the area to prevent the line from becoming darker due to sun damage.
#2: Lighten the Black Line on Nose
The most common treatment option to get rid of the black line is to lighten the skin on the nose that has turned dark. There are lots of ways this can be done, both at home and at a doctor’s office.
There are many at-home treatments for dark lines on the nose but, some of these are more effective than others, and they may not get you the results you want or as quickly as you want. However, many people prefer to start with at-home treatments and see if they work since they’re usually cheaper and easier to do than treatments by a doctor. Below are some common at home treatments for lightening the dark line on your nose.
- Purchase a 3% hydroquinone bleaching agent, along with a 1% hydrocortisone cream at your local drugstore, and apply both to the dark line across nose twice daily.
- Apply lemon juice, or a combination of lemon juice and honey, to the line twice daily.
- Apply aloe vera to the line twice daily.
- Apply Vitamin A cream to the line twice daily.
A dermatologist is the best person to discuss your options with if you want a stronger treatment. In order to lighten the dark line they may recommend a chemical peel, laser resurfacing, or a topical bleaching cream. Some of these treatments may need to be repeated, but they’re generally faster and more effective than at-home treatments.
#3: Fill in the Crease on the Nose (If Needed)
If you have a crease on the bridge of your nose, the indentation may actually be causing a shadow effect that makes the line look darker and more noticeable. Filling in the crease can reduce the appearance of the line or even get rid of it all together.
Talk to a dermatologist to learn what your treatment options are. A common solution is to inject a filler, like Juvederm or Restylane, into the crease to smooth it out. These options only last about a year or two before you need to do them again, but they can virtually eliminate the crease and the dark line it causes.
Conclusion: Black Line Across Nose
A dark horizontal line on nose is typically due to allergies. By repeatedly pushing your nose up because of itchiness or to wipe it, you cause sebum to build up on the bridge of the nose. The sebum eventually turns dark after it’s been exposed to oxygen. Even though it isn’t a serious medical problem, line across nose can be embarrassing and unsightly.
How to get rid of line on nose? If you want to get rid of the line or make it less noticeable, there are several things you can do. You can try a home remedy or an over-the-counter cream to try and repair the damage. You can also speak to a dermatologist about other options such as fillers to smooth out any lines and methods for lightening the line. Although multiple treatments are often needed, these can often be very effective.