We get pimples on our skin, including lips, due to blocked pores under the skin. Pollution, hormonal imbalance, stress, and sweat can clog pores and lead to such conditions. However, you can address the issue fast and treat it without visiting a dermatologist. You can consider some home remedies to have pimple-free lips.
Pimples on your lips might not leave lasting effects, but you might experience discomfort and pain because of the sensitive skin. Also, lip pimples will affect your eating ability, and you might suffer a lot. However, you can avoid lip pimples and treat the condition fast. We will cover the causes, remedies, and preventive tips in the following. Go through the following article to know more about lip pimples.
Why Do You Get Pimples on Lips?
You can get a pimple on your lip due to internal and external factors. It might be due to stress and pollution. Here are the causes of lip pimples you can through to prevent a recurrence.
Diet
Our food determines the quality of our lives. Unhealthy foods can impact both your physical and mental health. However, oily and greasy foods can cause pimple breakouts. You might have noticed pimples on your lip after eating oily foods at night. Excess oil production can cause acne on your face and lips. Also, dairy products can lead to similar conditions. According to study reports, cow's milk causes acne flare-ups, but cheese and yogurt do not lead to such conditions. Hence, you can consider having them when your lip is prone to acne.
Hormonal Imbalances
You might not know that hormonal changes impact you in many ways. These changes affect both your physical and mental health. Your body experiences hormonal fluctuation more during the pregnancy, menopause, and menstrual cycle. Women go through more hormonal changes during puberty, and you might get pimples on your lip and other areas at this time. However, you can talk to a dermatologist and consider some tests and treatments to balance your hormones and prevent a recurrence.
Clogged Pores
You can get pimples on your face or lips when your skin pores get clogged. You might have this condition due to dirt and dust exposure and excess oil production in your skin. Sometimes, sebaceous glands generate more oils. Excessive oil causes skin buildups due to the dirt exposure resulting in clogged pores and blocked pores cause pimples on your lip.
Beauty Products
All your cosmetics will have some impact on your skin. These products will affect the pH balance, oil, and moisture in your skin, and a few might offer adverse results and lead to pimples. You can avoid pimple breakouts and minimize their recurrence by considering non-comedogenic cosmetics.
Also, the lip products use emollients and oils that can cause skin buildups and clogged pores along your lip line, and you might get pimples. Expired products can also have negative impacts, and you might get acne. Besides, excessive petroleum jelly and lip balm usage can develop blisters on your lip and surrounding areas. Hence, you can choose the right lip care products to avoid such a possibility.
Stress
Stress has become a part of modern life. It has impacted our lives adversely, leading to physical and mental ailments. Stress can also cause pimples and other skin conditions. When lip pimples are persistent without any cause, check your mental status. The negativity and stress might be the cause of pimple breakouts. Take care of your stress and practice yoga to relax your mind and develop positivity. A stress-free mind will bring a lot of positivity to your life.
Medications
Some medications can also cause pimple flare-ups and aggravate the existing ones. We can take the example of testosterone and corticosteroids since these compounds can alter skin conditions and clog the pores resulting in pimples. You can consider some alternatives when medicines are the cause of your lip pimples.
These are some possible causes of pimple flare-ups. Once you find the source, you can treat the condition naturally. However, first know it is acne, not a cold sore. You might get confused between acne and cold sores. Cold sores are tender crusts and groups of blisters that you can see on the outer corners of lips. You get cold sores due to simplex virus exposure, not by the bacteria. However, bacteria cause pimples or similar conditions.
Besides, a pimple starts as a reddish and painful bump on your lip line. It might develop into blisters filled with pus due to bacteria exposure. You can prevent further aggravation with immediate treatment. You do not need to visit a dermatologist immediately. Instead, you can try the remedies mentioned below and notice improvements.
Home Remedies for Lip Pimples
Cold or Hot Compress
A cold or hot compress can treat your lip pimple by reducing swelling and minimizing pain. The cold compress will shrink the pores, and the hot compress can make your pimple burst. You can consider either of them instead of trying both. However, you can avoid a hot compress when the pimple has noticeable redness and inflammation. Also, avoid applying it directly to the acne since it can worsen the condition. Keep a cold or hot towel in a ziplock bag and apply that bag to the affected area softly.
Lemon Juice
You can use lemon juice since it is a natural cleaner. It can remove dirt, bacteria, and oil buildup from your skin and treat the condition naturally. Many use lemon juice as the spot treatment and get flawless skin. You can take a small cotton ball, dip it in the lemon juice, and apply it to the lip pimple. Allow it to work for ten minutes, and then you can wash it off. But you can avoid lemon juice when you have sensitive skin since the lemon has high acidic content and might harm sensitive skin.
Turmeric Paste
We use turmeric for different skin conditions. All the credit goes to its anti-inflammatory and natural antiseptic properties that can absorb the excess oil and treat your pimples. You can make turmeric paste with turmeric powder and water and apply it to the affected skin directly. Wait for twenty minutes, and then wash it off. Also, you can use turmeric regularly to address skin impurities and get flawless and acne-free skin.
Castor Oil
You can also use castor oil to treat pimples and address many other skin conditions. Castor oil has azelaic acid that can prevent pimple formation and treat the existing ones. First, use warm water to wash your face and open up the clogged pores, and then you can use castor oil on the affected skin. It will penetrate and clean the pores and treat your acne. However, this remedy might not be ideal for oily skin.
Honey
Honey has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and it can treat your acne and remove blemishes and scars. You can directly apply honey to the pimple on your lip to get the desired benefits.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is also effective in treating lip pimples. You can apply it to the affected area to unclog pores and remove grime and dirt. Moreover, it will kill bacteria, and you can expect fast and visible results. Instead of using tea tree oil only, you can mix it with coconut oil. Mix coconut and tea tree oil and apply the blend to your lip pimples using a cotton swab. Wait for twenty minutes, and then rinse it off with water.
Tomato
Tomato has natural antioxidant lycopene that can clean and heal your skin while balancing oil production. You can have moisturized skin without clogged pores. Make tomato paste, apply it directly to your face and lip, and rinse it off after twenty minutes. You can notice visible differences.
OTC Cleansers & Creams
Apart from all these natural remedies, you can consider using OTC products. Find ones with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to treat pimples fast. Moreover, you might not require a prescription for OTC products, but check the ingredients since some might affect your sensitive lip negatively.
You can try any of these to treat your lip pimples. But you can talk to an experienced dermatologist if you do not find them helpful.
Treatments for Lip Pimples
Your dermatologist might prescribe you any of the following treatments.
Topical Medications
Most will prescribe lotions and ointments for your persistent acne, and these medications will contain azelaic acid, salicylic acid, and retinoids. The dermatologist will prescribe the therapy based on the severity of your acne. However, many lotions will have antibiotics to address the condition fast and more effectively.
Oral Medications
Your dermatologist might prescribe some oral antibiotics when your lip acne is severe. However, the medical professional will prescribe antibiotics based on the cause. You will get hormonal therapy when caused by hormonal imbalance. Some might prescribe oral contraceptive pills, but you can consider this if suggested by your dermatologist.
Other Treatments
Your dermatologist might suggest acne extraction, a chemical peeling procedure, or laser therapy when none of the above prove effective. Talk to an experienced dermatologist and find a solution based on the severity of your lip pimples.
Do I Need to Pop Lip Pimples?
You can avoid popping your pimple no matter how tempting it is. It might cause scaring and get infected if you pop it. The healing will take time in both these conditions. Hence, avoid doing this regardless of the severity of your pimples. You can talk to your dermatologist when it is painful and requires physical extraction. The experienced medical professional can do this job safely by using sterile instruments.
Why Are Lip Pimples So Painful?
You might not find much difference between your lip and other pimples. However, lip pimples are more painful since the lip is the most sensitive area and will hurt more than other parts of your body.
How to Prevent a Lip Acne
Now, you know the causes of pimple breakouts on your lip. It might be easier to prevent pimples if you focus on the root cause. Here are a few ways to avoid breakouts or minimize recurrence.
- Clean your face in the morning and before bed
- Use mild and natural cleansers
- Exfoliate your face skin every week
- Avoid sharing your cosmetics
- Focus on a good hygiene
- Avoid harsh cleaning products
- Focus on non-comedogenic cosmetics
- Remove your makeup and clean your lip before retiring to the bed
- Avoid touching your lip and face more often
- Address your stress with yoga
- Avoid squeezing your pimples
- Focus on a healthy diet
As stated earlier, you can get acne on your lips and face due to hormonal imbalance, stress, poor diet, and clogged pores. You can address all these conditions to prevent acne breakouts on your face and lips. However, you can treat the existing ones with some natural remedies, including honey, cold or hot compress, turmeric paste, castor oil, or lemon juice. Most can be effective in managing symptoms and healing painful lip pimples. But you can consult an experienced dermatologist if lip pimples are not improving and all home remedies are ineffective. A certified dermatologist will prescribe oral or topical medications based on the severity of your condition. However, you should avoid popping since popping can aggravate your lip pimples, delay healing, and cause scarring. Follow a healthy diet, manage stress, and choose the right skincare products to avoid pimple flare-ups.
FAQs
Do Lip Pimples Last for Weeks?
Yes, a lip pimple will take two to four weeks to disappear. However, some might take more or less time based on the skin condition, cause, and treatments.
Can Kissing Cause Lip Pimples?
Pimples are not contagious, and kissing will not cause acne.
What Are Those White Blisters on Lips?
The white blisters or whiteheads are a type of pimples, but they might also be Fordyce spots and canker sores.
Key Takeaways
- Stress, hormonal changes, some medications, and clogged pores are the leading causes of lip pimples.
- Lemon juice, castor oil, turmeric paste, honey, and tomatoes are some effective home remedies to treat lip pimples.
- Oral antibiotics and topical retinoids can treat lip pimples and other skin issues.
