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How to Treat Pimples on the Lips?
Have pimples on your lips and wondering why they occur? You’re not alone! It’s not unusual to get pimples on your lips – like other pimples or acne, clogged pores can cause lip pimples too. While some disappear on their own, some can get severe and leave scars. This article will discuss lip pimples, their causes and treatment.
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What are Lip Pimples?
Lip pimples are small, inflamed red bumps on the lip line or around the lips. They can be tender and painful to the touch and hurt more than other kinds of pimples because of the delicate and thinner skin on the lips. They can also get itchy and inflamed when filled with pus.
What Causes Pimple on Lip?
Lips pimples primarily occur due to clogged pores resulting from a build-up of dead skin cells, excessive oil, residue of oil-based makeup, and acne-causing bacteria. The area around the lips contains plenty of oil glands and leads to inflammation and pus-filled bumps. Hormonal fluctuations, stress and certain medications can also cause lip pimples.
How to Get Rid of Pimples On The Lips?
Lip pimples can be painful. Some of the treatments include:
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Topical Medication:
The dermatologist may also recommend topical retinoids or products containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Plus, using these products may help prevent future breakouts and scarring. We recommend consulting a doctor before using any medication to avoid side effects like skin discolouration.
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Oral Medication:
A dermatologist may recommend oral antibiotics targeting the acne-causing bacteria based on the severity of pimples, skin type, and cause. They may recommend medications for underlying hormonal conditions that may be causing lip pimples. Please consult a doctor before consuming oral medication to avoid antibiotic resistance and severe side effects.
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Extraction:
If your pimples are blackheads or whiteheads, then the doctors use specialised tools to extract and thus eliminate them. This results in clear and pimple-free skin.
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Chemical Peels:
Chemical peels contain plant extracts in specific concentrations that help remove the skin’s upper and damaged layer through mild exfoliation. Lip peels gently remove the dead skin cells and clear away any pimples and pigmentation.
Watch this video to understand how chemical peels work:
NOTE:
Some of these treatments aren’t for all skin types or pimples, so we highly recommend a consultation with a dermatologist to identify the underlying cause and treat them.
Must Read: Advanced Acne Treatment
How to Prevent Pimples On Lips?
As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure, and some of these tips can reduce the likelihood of lip pimples:
- Cleanse your face properly with a gentle cleanser twice a day.
- Be gentle while removing makeup from your lips. Also, don’t sleep with makeup or lipstick.
- Avoid comedogenic and oily products in your skincare.
- Avoid dairy consumption as it can trigger pimples.
- Manage your stress levels. Excessive stress due to a hectic lifestyle causes pimples.
- Use sunscreen suitable for your skin with SPF above 30 every day.
- Avoid eating oily foods that lead to acne.
- Avoid using greasy lip balms as they may clog the pores around your lips.
- Avoid touching or popping pimples on lips, as they may worsen or leave scars.
- Don’t touch your face with dirty hands, especially around the lips.
Takeaway
Lip pimples are usually painful. Some of them may persist and thus require customised treatment. Many confuse lip pimples with cold sores, but they are different. We recommend visiting a dermatologist if you experience frequent breakouts on lips – especially with pus, as proper treatment is necessary to treat this recurrent concern. For a customised acne treatment plan by expert dermatologists, Click Here or Call us on 📞82978 82978.
Frequently Asked Questions On Pimple On The Lips
The skin around the lips is susceptible and thin, containing several nerve endings. The resulting inflammation from bacterial infection often leads to pus, which is why lip pimples hurt so much.
Mild lip pimples should go away in two to four weeks.
Yes, moderate to severe pimples around the lip line may lead to swelling and pain.
No, you should refrain from popping a pimple as it may worsen or spread bacterial infection to the surrounding areas. In some cases, it may cause scarring.
Sometimes, pimples or bumps on lips are an allergic reaction to a particular type of food, insect bites, or pollen. But, it’s best to visit a dermatologist to identify the right cause and treat it accordingly.
It’s natural to confuse a lip pimple with a cold sore, but both are different. A bacterial infection causes the former, whereas the latter is a viral infection. Please visit a dermatologist for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Tea tree oil is the main ingredient of several face cleansers but it offers temporary relief. Plus, tea tree oil may not get the desired results for all, so we recommend visiting a dermatologist for a customised treatment based on the cause and severity of acne.
Putting toothpaste on lip pimples isn’t a good idea as it’s primarily used for dental hygiene and doesn’t cure pimples. Visiting a trusted dermatologist will help prevent recurrence and scarring.
Our certified subject matter experts do extensive research and collate facts from reputed scientific journals and international studies to create informative and engaging articles related to all your dermatology concerns. They strive to help you decipher medical jargon, distinguish fact from fiction and overcome paranoia. Our qualified medical board or expert panel goes a step further to verify these facts based on their rich academic knowledge, vast clinical experience and critical industry insights to ensure you consume only medically accurate content that empowers you to make informed decisions about your hair and skin-care treatments and weight management. Check out our Editorial policy for further details.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8510514/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459173/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7577330/
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