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 allergy.
Drinking green tea that contains nickel may also cause an allergic reaction.
- Melasma- It is the development of brown colored 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 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 the 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 absorb too much iron from the food you eat. Excess iron gets stored in organs causing skin discoloration. 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 the lips, face, neck, forearms, and ears.
- Dehydration– Too much exposure to the 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, antimalarial, anticonvulsants, and cytotoxic drugs may cause the color 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 guards, and braces dont 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 color, shape, and size of the spots may vary, but in most cases, they are wart-like and dark red to black. Angiokeratoma of Fordyce is 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 mold or bacteria grow on them. Thus, they may cause a reaction leading to dark-colored 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-colored 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.
- Lip cancer – A rare type of skin cancer that may cause black spots on lips and is accompanied by lumps. Often, the cause behind this is extensive exposure to the sun.
- Lip Biting – Are you are in the habit of biting your lips when in deep thinking or stressed. Biting lips causes the skin to break and bleed. This predisposes the skin to fungal infections and dark spots. Black or brown marks on the lips is also common in people who are in the habit of licking their lips respectively.
As you can see in most of the cases, you dont 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 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 oil- Turmeric oil and nutmeg both are antibacterial and have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Nutmeg not just removes dark spots but also helps you to get rid of acne and pimples.
What To Do
- Take a drop of turmeric oil or 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.
7. Glycerine and Rose Petals – Glycerine hydrates our skin and improves elasticity. It is the best home remedy for chapped lips, skin irritation, and black spots on lips. On the other hand, rose petals are rich in antioxidants and Vitamin E and give you glowing skin.
What to do
Crush a few rose petals and add them to a teaspoon of glycerine. Apply it to your lips. After 10 minutes, rinse it off. Repeat this at least once in a day.
8. Almond Oil – Almond oil contains healthy fats that not only keeps the lips hydrated but also lightens the spots due to its mild bleaching property.
What to do
Massage your lips with almond oil every night before sleeping.
9. Cucumber Juice – Cucumber juice has cooling and hydrating properties. Also it acts as mild bleach and lightens the dark spot.
What to do
To crush few slices of cucumber to extract cucumber juice. Applying the juice you on your lips. Leave it for 15 minutes and then rinse it off.
10. Increase the Intake of Vitamin C Rich Foods – Vitamin C increases the level of glutathione in the blood. Glutathione balances lighter pigments and darker pigment of our skin. In addition, Vitamin C is antioxidant and fights free radical damage.
What to do
Include food sources rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, guava and Indian gooseberry in your diet.
11. Vitamin E oil – Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant. It nourishes the skin and makes it look healthy and soft.
What to do
Applying Vitamin E oil at least two times in a day to the dark spots on your lips for at least a month to get the desired result.
Vitamin E oil – Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant. It nourishes the skin and makes it look healthy and soft.
What to do
Applying Vitamin-E oil at least two times a day to the dark spots on your lips for at least a month to get the desired result.
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. Limit the intake of caffeine. 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 captivate pink lips.
*Despite the vast choice of home remedies to get rid of dark spots on your lips if you are allergic to any of the product mentioned above, it may cause a side effect. This is why it is advised to make at least one appointment to your dermatologist who is expertise in skin treatment and can precisely examine your medical condition.