Although dark spots on lips is common in teens and elderly still noticing them becomes a matter of concern. It affects your looks. You may find yourself unattractive, and embarrassed.
Home remedies can help you to get rid of black spots on the lips, but the treatment and the result depend on the cause. So first let us acknowledge the causes behind a dark spot on lips.
What Causes Black Or Brown Spots On Lips
Below are the reasons behind the development of these spots on the lips:
- Allergic reaction– Appearance of brown or black spots on lips after using a new cosmetic may be a sign of an allergic
Drinking green tea that contains nickel may also cause an allergic reaction.
- Melasma- It is the development of brown coloured patches on, the area above lips, chin, forehead, nose bridge and chin. It is more common in pregnant females due to hormonal changes. In most of the cases, it fades with time.
- Deficiency of vitamin B12- Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause black or brown spots on lips.
- Smoking- Cigarette smoking can directly cause burning of the skin on your lips. Smoking delays healing of the wound and leads to the formation of the scar. Also, there may be post-inflammatory pigmentation that after healing leaves spots.
- Too Much Iron- There is hereditary disease hemochromatosis that makes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you eat. Excess of iron gets stored in organs causing skin discolouration. Also, if you have received a blood transfusion, have taken lots of iron supplements or got iron shots your body may be overloaded with iron.
*Iron overload may make your skin appear grey-green or bronze.
- Sunspots– Sunspots are tiny brown or tan spots not more than an inch. They may be raised or flat and makes your skin scaly, dry and crusty. They appear on the area exposed to the sun such as lips, face, neck, forearms and ears.
- Dehydration- Too much exposure to sun, hot-dry summer winds and not drinking enough water leave your lips chapped and dry. Chapped skin starts peeling. If you bite pieces of skin to get rid of peeling skin injury may be caused that leads to scar, scabs and dark spots on lips.
- Certain Medications- Some medicines such as antipsychotic drugs, antimalarials, anticonvulsants and cytotoxic drugs may cause the colour of your skin (Including your lip skin) change. In most such cases, the spots fade as you stop taking the drugs.
- Hormonal Imbalance– Hypothyroidism (Low level of thyroid hormone) may be a cause of melasma. Even hyperthyroid (High level of thyroid hormone) may cause skin darkening.
- Fixtures or Dental Treatments– If dentures, mouth guard and braces don’t fit you properly, they may lead to pressure sores on your lips and gums. And there are chances of post-inflammatory pigmentation.
- Angiokeratoma of Fordyce– Black spots in lips may be due to angiokeratoma of Fordyce. The colour, shape and size of the spots may vary, but in most of the cases, they are wart-like and dark red to black. Angiokeratoma of Fordyce are harmless spots that are found on mucous producing skin areas such as lips. This skin condition is common in the elderly. There is no treatment for angiokeratomas and are usually left alone. But, these spots are similar to cancer growths so always consult your physician.
- Using Old Lip Cosmetics– Old and expired lipstick or lip balms break down, or mould or bacteria grow on them. Thus, they may cause a reaction leading to dark-coloured spots on your lips. Always check the expiry date of the cosmetics before using them.
- Excessive Alcohol Consumption- Excessive consumption of alcohol disturbs the normal functioning of our body and causes dark spots on the lips.
- Venous Lake– Single, dark purple coloured raised spot on the lips that is little raised and feels soft on touching is known as a venous lake. It varies in size and may also appear on ears. Although the direct cause of the venous lake is not known it can be associated with sun exposure.
As you can see in most of the cases, you don’t need to worry much about the dark spot on the lips, and simple home remedies are enough to diminish the appearance of these spots.
Now let’s delve into the home remedies for dark spots on lips.
Home Remedies For Dark Spot On Lips
- Beetroot-Beetroot is a vegetable rich in antioxidants. It hydrated the skin and eliminates dark dead skin cells. Being rich in antioxidants it promotes the regeneration of new skin cells and also alleviates oxidative damage.
What To Do
- Refrigerate a slice of beetroot in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
- Rub the refrigerated beetroot slice on your lips for 2 minutes.
- After five more minutes wash it off.
- Do this every day.
- Apple Cider Vinegar– Apple cider vinegar fights infection and also lightens the skin tone. It is rich in acetic acid that exfoliates dark skin and thus can reduce dark spot on lips.
What To Do
- With the help of a cotton ball apply apple cider vinegar to your
- After a few minutes wash it off.
- Repeat this 2-3 times in a day.
- Honey And Lemon– Lemon is acidic and has bleaching It is antiseptic. Honey, on the other hand, hydrates the skin and is antimicrobial. It removes dry and flaky skin.
What To Do
- To one-fourth teaspoon, lemon juice add a few drops of honey.
- With the help of a cotton ball apply honey and lemon to your lips.
- After 10 minutes wash it off.
- Repeat this two times in a day.
- Nutmeg And Turmeric- Turmeric and nutmeg both are antibacterial and have healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
What To Do
- Take a pinch of turmeric powder and a pinch of nutmeg powder.
- Add sufficient water to make a paste.
- Apply the paste to your lips
- When the paste dries, wash it off.
- Apply lip balm
- Repeat this once every day.
- Pomegranates- Pomegranates not only hydrates skin but also promotes the regeneration of skin cells. It improves blood circulation and aids healing.
What To Do
- Mash a tablespoon of pomegranate seeds.
- Add a few drops of rose water to it and make a paste.
- Apply the paste to your lips and rub gently for a few minutes.
- Rinse it off.
- Repeat this three times a week.
*You may also use milk cream instead of rose water.
- Sugar Scrub– Sugar scrub removes dead skin cells, promotes the growth of new cells and render lips pink and fresh
What To Do
- Take a teaspoon sugar
- Add one-fourth teaspoon lemon juice to it
- Scrub your lips with lemon and sugar scrub for 2-3 minutes.
- Rinse it off
- Repeat this 2-3 times in a day.
How To Prevent Dark spot On Lips
To prevent the appearance of black or brown spots on lips use a lip balm that contains SPF before stepping out in the sun. Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated. Refrain yourself from biting lips. Do not use expired cosmetics. Eat green leafy vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and include sources of vitamin B12 in your diets such as egg, milk, fish, meat and fortified breakfast cereals.
No need to be ashamed of the dark spot on lips anymore. Try the above-mentioned home remedies and follow the preventive measure to get seductive and capitative pink lips.