Dark Spots on Lips

Dark spots on lips is not an uncommon condition among today's youngsters and older citizens. Lip discoloration is mostly contributed by eating habits, modern lifestyles and certain other medications. Black and/or dark spots on lips affect the physical appearance significantly, especially for women. On the brighter side, women have the option of applying lipstick to hide the unpleasant spots on the lips. Let's discuss about the possible causes of dark spots on lips and the effective home remedies to get rid of them.

Dark Spots on Lips: Causes

Dark spots on lips can be caused due to several reasons, out of which the most common is smoking for a prolonged duration. Following is a list of the probable causes of developing dark spots on lips:

• High intake of tea, coffee and other caffeinated hot beverages can cause dark spots on lips.
• Habits like frequent lip licking and lip biting can also contribute to development of dark spots on lips.
• If there is significant rise in the iron levels of the body, then the lips may turn dark or discolored.
• Deficiency of vitamin B and change in the levels of hormones is also a common reason for dark lips and/or lip discoloration.
• At times, usage of specific brands of toothpaste and administration of certain lip medications can lead to development of dark spots on lips.
• Very rarely, dark spots on lips is developed due to improper dental fixtures.

Dark Spots on Lips: Home Remedies

Dark spots on lips usually show good responses with the usual lip caring tips. Similar to skin sunburn, the lips may become dark, rough and dry after exposure to harsh sun rays. To avoid such a situation, it is advisable to use lip balms with recommended sun protective factor, when you step out in the outdoors, especially on sunny days. Following are some of the effective home remedies for dark spots on lips:

Avoid Hot Foods
Consuming hot foods is strictly not recommended for people who have dark spots on lips. Allow the food to cool down properly and then eat. Otherwise, high temperature may exacerbate the color of the dark spots on lips.

Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking ample amounts of water everyday keeps the body as well as the lips hydrated, thus preventing dry lips. In addition, one should avoid licking of lips to avoid drying of lips. Always remember that dry condition worsens the discoloration of the lips.

Lifestyle Changes
If dark spots on lips is resulted due to prolonged smoking or drinking excess amounts of tea and coffee, then the best home remedy is to abstain from such habits. No doubt, you will notice significant improvement in the color of the lips over a period of time.

Lemon Juice
Lemon juice, due to its natural bleaching ability, helps to lighten the color of the dark spots on lips. For better effectiveness, mix equal amounts of lemon juice and honey and apply the mixture several times a day. By doing so, the discoloration of the lips will fade away within a few days.

Lip Care
Speaking about lip care, extra efforts should be taken in order to get rid of dark spots on lips. While using any lip products, make sure you use reliable brands and avoid expired products. Keep your lips soft and moisturized by applying thick cold creams, homemade lip gloss or clarified butter.

In case, the dark spots on lips do not improve after following the above tips, you can consult a qualified dermatologist or a skin specialist. The doctor may conduct certain tests in order to rule out any possible health problems that might be causing this skin discoloration condition. Though, dark spots on lips rarely pose health risks, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Right?