Blackheads can appear on any part of the body, including sensitive areas like the skin around the lips. This area is quite sensitive; hence, blackheads, besides being unsightly, are considerably painful. If you usually have blackheads around your lips and wonder how and why this happens to you, this article will be helpful for you in treatments and preventive measures against blackheads around the lips.
What Are Blackheads?
The small bump usually has a black dot in the center and can also appear on the lips. They form when pores become clogged with impurities such as environmental pollutants, dirt, dead skin cells, excess oil, makeup, and airborne microbes.
Pores may become blocked but remain open, allowing impurities to accumulate. To begin with, the impurities that have been trapped are light-colored but darken over time as the skin continues to produce oils that push the contents of the clogged pores to the surface.
Consequently, blackheads can occur on any part of the body with pores. Though a mild acne type that mainly occurs on the face, it can also be found on one's back, chest, neck, arms, and even shoulders. For many people, blackhead removal can improve the appearance of their skin and reduce the risk of breakouts.
What Causes Blackheads to Form Around My Lips?
Skin disorders: Acne and some other skin disorders increase oil production in the skin, which leads to blockage of pores. Irritations around the mouth could lead to more oil being produced, thus giving rise to blackheads. Treatment of these skin disorders reduces blackhead incidence.
Skincare practices: Your skin should be appropriately cleaned. Sometimes, the skin around the mouth is often not properly cleaned during washing, leading to a buildup of dirt and oil. In addition, it is best for you to avoid skincare products that pose heavy oils or strong fragrances because, in doing so, it can block pores.
Lifestyle and hygiene: Your daily life greatly influences your skin. Pollution, dirtied pillowcases, and sweaty masks are culprits that come up when looking at blackheads. Somewhat similarly, the overkill of greasy fast food and the lack of cleaning items such as the phone make your skin even worse. Keeping clean and making healthy choices can keep your skin clear.
Blackheads also break out due to greasiness, which comes along with hormonal changes in conditions such as puberty, pregnancy, or perhaps even PCOS. Sometimes, medication may be needed to curb these hormonal changes.
Weather: Humidity and hot weather will definitely make your skin oilier, and that surely means more blackheads. Adjust the skincare routine according to the weather; this will help in keeping at bay oiliness.
How to Get Rid of Blackheads Around My Lips?
At-Home Blackhead Remedies
Salicylic acid: This is essential to enable the breakdown of dirt, excessive oils, and dead skin cells, causing blackhead development.
Benzoyl peroxide: An exfoliating ingredient that removes dead skin and prevents blackheads.
Sulfur: Like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, sulfur also has the added benefit of being antimicrobial to clear blackheads.
Retinoids: These help in reducing the size of the pores and prevent clogging.
Topical antibiotics: These decrease the inflammation and visible blackhead appearance.
Natural Ingredients
Honey: Hydrates skin while having anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Lemon juice: This acts like a watered-down solution that combats antimicrobials and is also an astringent agent that shrinks pores.
Tea tree oil: An irritating astringent that needs to be diluted for that reason.
Micellar water wipes: Micellar water wipes are effective for gently removing makeup that can clog pores, particularly around the mouth.
Always patch test natural remedies like lemon juice or tea tree oil, as they may irritate sensitive skin.
Professional Cures for Obstinant Blackheads
Chemical peels: In this chemical peel treatment procedure, the top layer of your skin, which consists of dead skin cells and dirt particles, is removed, thereby showing a much smoother layer of skin underneath.
Microdermabrasion: This is a non-invasive process in which the application of microcrystals resurfaces the skin, unclogs pores, and erodes blackheads for a blemish-free complexion.
Light therapy: Although the idea isn't directly used on blackheads, blue light therapy does help to reduce the blemishes and scars of acne, which helps in the improvement of skin texture overall.
How Can I Stop Blackheads From Forming Around My Lips?
Keep your skin clean: Always remember it is necessary to render your skin clean. Dirt, oil, and dead skin cells can trigger breakouts, especially around the mouth, leading to blackheads. Clear well around the mouth area, as this is the region where impurities are more likely to be collected.
Exfoliate: Whereas regular washing removes just the superficial layer of dirt and oil, it doesn't remove dead skin cells and other deeper impurities. Employ various chemical or physical exfoliants, which will help to clear these out of the pores and avoid blackheads.
Improve your skincare routine: The way to reduce blackheads is through improving your skin care. Lightweight and non-irritating cleansers are best. Go fragrance-free, and make sure the products are labeled as non-comedogenic because those do not clog pores. Use quick-drying, oil-free items on the lips and around the mouth when applying makeup. Take measures to wash off makeup before bedtime, especially around the mouth, and avoid touching your face or picking at blackheads since this will only aggravate further and damage your skin.
Healthier lifestyle: Healthy lifestyle changes can also help in bringing improvement within your skin. Drink plenty of water and fresh juices, avoiding sugary and chemical-based cold drinks. Wash your face after every workout and heavy sweating. Say no to fast foods and drinks; keep a limited amount of alcohol consumption, and quit smoking as far as possible. Let your makeup brushes be washed from time to time, and close the skincare items after use.
If you consult a dermatologist, you can assure yourself that your skin is at its best. You will be able to avoid the red look of blackheads appearing around your mouth, and this will keep your skin clearer and definitely healthier.
Conclusion
Blackheads around the lips could be due to clogged pores because of undesirable living and skin care habits, skin conditions, hormonal changes, and high humidity. Such products contain effective ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, retinoids, honey, lemon juice, and tea tree oil to dissolve the impurities and dead skin cells covering the pores in treating such blackheads. However, if the blackheads are ineffective and do not respond to this remedy or other skincare products, then the treatment for professionals will necessarily use light therapy, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.