HOW TO GET RID OF A PIMPLE ON YOUR LIP

Small, inflamed bumps known as pimples can appear almost anywhere on your skin, and your lip line is no exception. These bumps are caused by inflammation or clogging of your pores. If bacteria enter these pores, a pimple can get infected and fill with pus.

Pimples can range in size and severity and can be a big nuisance when they appear around your lip line or mouth. Popping or squeezing these pimples is no solution either, as it can cause the infection to spread, and lead to acne scars.

There are certain remedies, however, that can help you get rid of these pimples quicker. Keep reading this article to learn what causes a pimple on your lip, and how you can get treat it effectively.

What causes a pimple on lip?

Despite what many people believe, pimples and acne are not the same things. Acne is a skin condition that affects your hair follicles and oil glands, causing a number of skin conditions including blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, as well as pimples.

Pimples are small growths that appear on the surface of your skin and can be caused due to a number of reasons, including:

• Clogged pores. Your skin has tiny openings called pores all over your body that release oil and sweat from your glands. When these pores get clogged due to excess oil production, dead skin cells, debris, or bacteria, it can lead to pimples.
• Hormonal changes. Although hormonal acne and pimples are typically associated with hormone fluctuations during puberty, they are also common during menstruation and menopause in women. These hormonal fluctuations can lead to the development of pimples on the lips.
• Eating sugary foods. Eating lots of sugars and refined carbohydrates can increase your blood sugar levels. This can lead to inflammation, causing your body to produce excess sebum. This clogs your pores and causes breakouts.
• Eating greasy and oily foods. While oily foods might not directly cause pimples, they can do so by contact. When you consume greasy foods, the oil that comes into contact with your lips can physically clog your pores, causing pimples on and around your lips.
• From shaving. One of the most common reasons for men getting pimples on their lip lines is shaving. If you’re impatient, using a dull or unclean razor, you could get acne.
• Hair removal and laser treatment. Pimples after hair removal are a common side effect, especially when you tug your hair from the roots, like waxing or threading.
• From your skin products. If you’re experiencing pimples after a new skin regimen, chances are that they are the result of some new skincare product.
• Allergies. While the evidence for acne caused due to allergies is lacking, there is a connection between the two. Allergies can cause inflammation, which can cause your immune system to overreact and lead to breakouts.

Pimples can be caused due to a number of reasons, including physical hair removal and bad dietary habits. It is always a good idea to rule out the possible causes if you’re experiencing breakouts, and then consult a dermatologist.

10 ways to get rid of a pimple on your lip at home

While you might be tempted to pop your pimple to quickly get rid of it, this will do more harm than good. When you pop a pimple, you’re rupturing your skin, which not only damages it, but exposes it to bacteria, dust particles, and other infection-causing materials.

Popping your pimples can lead to:

• further irritation and inflammation
• risk of infection
• scarring
• worsening of the condition

Here are a few techniques to reduce the damage pimples might cause to your lips and skin, and to treat them safely and effectively.

Cold compress or ice

Ice helps in reducing the inflammation of your pimples by reducing their size. Applying a cold compress or ice on your pimples can also make the pimple less noticeable by reducing redness and swelling, and also helps in relieving pain.

Here’s how you should apply ice on your pimples:

• Wrap the ice in a clean, soft cloth.
• Hold the wrapped ice on the pimple for about a minute.
• Repeat the process as needed with breaks in between.
• After applying the ice, allow the skin to return to room temperature.

Ice is helpful in relieving inflammatory acne, but should still be used with caution. Applying something freezing cold directly to your skin or for extended periods of time can lead to tissue damage and frostbite.

Castor oil

Castor oil has a variety of skin benefits, including the prevention of wrinkles, moisturizing your skin, and yes, getting rid you’re your pimples.

Castor oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains ricinoleic acid, which has a skin-soothing effect and helps it recover from acne and pimples by reducing inflammation.

Neem (Indian lilac)

Neem has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties and is used in several ayurvedic skin and haircare products. While human research on its efficacy for treating acne is limited, it does show some promising results in animal studies.

Studies have found that neem oil has antioxidant properties, and can reduce skin inflammation. Therefore, applying the highest quality of neem oil may help reduce pimples in size and make them less prominent.

Besides its proposed benefits for the skin, neem also contains compounds that show anticancer, antimalarial, antiviral, wound healing, and neuroprotective properties.

Raw honey

Raw honey contains antibacterial properties, which can help in the treatment of inflammatory acne and pimples. People believe that honey can help reduce inflammation and swelling, which could be attributed to its antioxidant compounds.

Here’s how you use honey to treat your pimples:

• Wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove excess oil and dirt.
• Apply a small amount of honey to the affected area with a cotton swab.
• Leave the honey on for about 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
• Repeat the process up to twice a day if needed.

Honey works by removing water from acne, which can help prevent microbial growth and reduce the size and redness of your pimple.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is a popular home remedy used to treat a number of skin conditions, known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

A randomized controlled trial treated patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris with a 5 percent topical tea tree oil gel. The researchers found that tea tree oil was 5.75 times more effective than the placebo in terms of acne severity index (ASI), and 3.55 times more effective in terms of total acne lesions counting (TLC).

To use tea tree oil to treat pimples:

• Wash your face with a gentle cleanser.
• Dilute 2 drops of tea tree oil with a few drops of carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil.
• Apply the diluted tea tree oil to the acne with a cotton swab.
• Leave for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.

It is important to know that tea tree oil might not be suitable for everyone, and you should always take the proper precautions to reduce the risk of potential side effects.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera has been popularly known as a medicinal plant, known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and skin protective properties.

Aloe vera has both moisturizing and skin-soothing properties, which can help in the treatment of lip pimples and relieve their symptoms. Aloe vera also rarely causes any adverse side effects, making it one of the safest known home remedies.

Lemon juice

While lemons and lemon juice have not directly been studied for treating acne, they contain abundant amounts of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds that could help in treating pimples.

Citrus fruit juices are a good source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. A study found that the topical application of essential oils extracted from lemon peels had the potential to prevent inflammation-linked skin diseases.

However, applying lemons on the skin may have some potential risks, including itchiness, redness, a stinging sensation, or increased sensitivity. The best way to use lemon juice for pimples is to apply it on the pimple-affected area, and leave it on for about 10 minutes, followed by washing it off.

Turmeric

Turmeric contains a bioactive compound called curcumin, which boasts potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Studies have found that ingestion, as well as topical application of turmeric, can significantly improve the severity of skin conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.

To use turmeric for pimples, make a paste by adding some water to turmeric powder or use a mortar and pestle to turn freshly crushed turmeric root into a paste. Apply it over the pimple, leaving it on for a few minutes, or until the paste dries up. Afterward, rinse with lukewarm water.

Yogurt

Yogurt is full of probiotics and is not only great for your gut, but for your skin as well.

Probiotics are healthy bacteria that live in your digestive tract and on your skin. These beneficial bacteria seem to have an anti-inflammatory effect, although the exact cause of this is still not known. By reducing inflammation in the body, they can also reduce the risk of pimples.

A 2015 research even suggested that the probiotics in yogurt can improve skin health by fighting acne and reducing the signs of aging. You can also combine your yogurt mixture with turmeric or aloe vera for a face mask.

Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most well-known and widely used acne treatments and is available in several over-the-counter cleansers, gels, and facial wipes. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is the most effective acne treatment you can get without a prescription.

It works by killing the bacteria underneath the skin, as well as removing excess sebum (oil) and dead skin cells from your pores. Benzoyl peroxide products are available in different strengths, from 2.25 percent up to 10 percent.

Benzoyl peroxide products should be used as directed, and you should be especially careful when applying them on sensitive areas like your lip. If you swallow benzoyl peroxide, call emergency medical assistance immediately.

Medical treatments for pimple on lip

If you experience acne breakouts or pimples on your lip frequently, they may be caused due to some underlying condition. In these cases, you should speak to a dermatologist, who may recommend medical treatments such as:

• Antibiotics. Antibiotics for acne are commonly used when topical medication alone isn’t getting the work done. These work by killing the bacteria causing the infection.
• Birth control pills. Hormonal fluctuations are a common cause of acne, especially in women. Therefore, some doctors might recommend birth control pills for some women to help regulate hormone levels and improve acne. However, these should not be used during pregnancy.
• Laser therapy. Laser therapy works by killing off the bacteria on your skin that might be causing acne, leading to fewer infections.
• Azelaic acid. A common treatment for fighting acne, azelaic acid is found in prescription-only creams and gels. It works by killing bacteria and reducing inflammation and is designed to be applied all over the face.
• Retinoids. Topical retinoids work by removing dead skin cells to prevent them from clogging up your hair follicles. It is important that you use retinoids as directed and avoid excessive exposure to sunlight.

It is always important to speak with a doctor to decide whether you require any medical treatment for your pimples. You should always follow their directions, and never overuse the medications or other treatments.

Preventing pimples on your lips

Pimples can be caused due to a number of reasons, but there are certain lifestyle changes that might help reduce the chances of you getting them. These include:

• Using a mild facial cleanser twice per day.
• Using a moisturizer to avoid excess oil production.
• Do not touch, pick, or pop your pimples.
• Avoiding irritants, harsh facial products, or excessive use of treatments.
• Wash off any makeup before going to bed.
• Avoid over-exfoliating.
• Follow a healthy diet rich in fermented foods, and low in unhealthy fats (refined oils).

While these lifestyle changes can reduce your chances of getting pimples. they cannot prevent them altogether. If you still experience severe breakouts, you should talk to a dermatologist about your skin condition.

In a nutshell

Whenever you get a pimple on your lip or anywhere else, the first thing you need to do is resist the urge to squeeze or pop it. This will only spread the infection, and lead to scarring.

An occasional pimple can easily be taken care of by home treatment, keeping your skin clean, and avoiding anything that might irritate the red bump. You can follow this up by taking certain measures such as a healthier diet and avoiding harsh facial products to prevent further breakouts.

If you experience frequent breakouts or experience symptoms such as fever or pain along with pimples, you should see a doctor. This might be a sign of something serious or you might need to have your acne treated medically.