- Published by: Laima Jansons
Black dots on the face - comedones - are an annoying cosmetic defect . It is especially unpleasant when they appear on or around the lips: the skin here is most sensitive, so getting rid of blackheads becomes problematic . Why do comedones appear and how to deal with them?
Photo 1: In the skin of the lips and around them, as in other areas, there are sebaceous glands. When their mouths (pores) become clogged with secretion, which subsequently interacts with atmospheric dust and the sun, black dots appear. Source: flickr (aZc.).
Blackheads around lips
As a rule, comedones on the lips are accompanied by the appearance of blackheads around the mouth. Bacteria, interacting with the secretions of the sebaceous glands, provoke inflammation of sensitive skin and the appearance of blackheads .
Black spots on lips
Comedones on the lips are a rather rare phenomenon; people with oily and mixed skin types are more often susceptible to . But it is necessary to know how to painlessly remove blackheads on the lips, because they can cause inflammation of the skin.
Factors that cause blackheads to form
There are several common causes of comedones on the lips.
Hormonal disorders
If the production of estrogen and progesterone in the body is disrupted, the sebaceous glands begin to work in increased mode. The face becomes oily, pores become clogged, and blackheads appear . In parallel with these signs, the voice becomes rougher, sweating increases, and body hair growth increases.
Cosmetical tools
Oil-based creams, masks, lipsticks and glosses clog pores, preventing the skin from breathing and become one of the reasons for the growth of bacteria. When purchasing cosmetics, you should pay attention to its composition to avoid unnecessary skin problems.
Poor hygiene
The habit of going to bed without removing decorative cosmetics from the face is one of the most common reasons for the appearance of blackheads on the face, inflammation and acne. The immunity of the epidermis decreases very quickly. Hence - skin irritation, a “bruised” face in the morning and acne.
Poor nutrition
If there is not enough fluid in the body, and, on the contrary, there is an excess of fat, comedones are formed , including on the lips. By adjusting your diet and making adjustments to your daily menu, you can achieve a significant improvement in your appearance and overall well-being. After all, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and grains cleanse the intestines and contribute to its normal functioning. And this is the key to healthy facial skin.
Side effects of drugs
Drugs that contain testosterone, estrogen, and steroids often cause a side effect in the form of increased activity of the sebaceous glands.
Smoking, alcohol and caffeine
All this activates the sebaceous glands and leads to clogged pores . As a result, black dots appear in the most unexpected places.
Interesting. Have you ever wondered how many microbes live on the common telephone handset? But modern people cannot imagine themselves without a mobile phone, spending many hours talking on the phone. You can protect yourself from bacteria that live on the surface of your phone and cause skin inflammation and blackheads by regularly using damp antibacterial wipes.
How is it formed
Every person from birth has a genetically determined skin color - the so-called permanent pigment.
When exposed to external and internal factors, an additional one is produced, which can be either a temporary physiological phenomenon (natural tanning) or a pathological one, difficult to remove even with special lasers (lentigo, vitiligo, etc.). The formation mechanism itself occurs in the epidermal layer. Here are located keratinocytes - epidermal cells. Their life cycle is up to 60 days, so they are constantly updated. To protect young and vulnerable cellular structures from sun exposure, melanocytes exist. They belong to the nervous system and are called upon to produce melanin, which absorbs ultraviolet radiation.
If the body is healthy, there is no overdose of solar radiation, melanocytes will produce a sufficient amount of protection. However, if there are failures, the “protectors” begin to be distributed unevenly, which leads to the formation of hyperpigmented areas.
Causes of hyperpigmentation
An increase in melanin production can be associated both with physiological changes occurring in the body and as a result of pathologies. The most well-known factors influencing the occurrence of stains are:
- endocrine diseases;
- hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and adrenal glands;
- metabolic disorder;
- vitamin deficiency or hypervitaminosis;
- helminthic infestations;
- severe intoxication of the body;
- trauma or inflammatory processes;
- prolonged exposure to the sun;
- taking medications - antibiotics of the tetracycline group, gentamicins, erythromycins, as well as some NSAIDs, salicylic acid, antidepressants, diuretics, sleeping pills and sedatives, antihistamines, St. John's wort extract, etc.;
- heredity.
Changes can also appear due to prolonged stress. Since melanocytes belong to the nervous system, any fluctuations and unstable conditions lead to serious pigmentation disorders.
Black pimple on lip. Causes of internal acne on the lip
If a pimple on your lip pops up just once, then most likely there is nothing to worry about. Poor-quality lipstick, draft, touching lips - all this can lead to similar phenomena. If acne occurs regularly, then you should approach this issue more seriously, because the reason for their appearance may already be associated with serious diseases of the internal organs. So, the main causes of internal acne on the lips include:
— sweat, pollution, cosmetics, draft, hypothermia and other external reasons; - allergic reactions to any products; — sluggish colds; — diseases of an infectious nature, in which acne is one of the symptoms; - poisoning with food, medicine or alcohol, intoxication of the body, as a result of which harmful substances come out through the skin; - unhealthy diet; - gastrointestinal disorders, which are usually a consequence of poor nutrition; — diseases of the digestive system, abnormal secretions, acute inflammation, etc.; - weak immunity, as a result of which viruses can multiply, for example, the herpes virus, which is very fond of the skin around the lips and the lips themselves; - problems with the liver, heart, kidneys, etc. As you can see, in some cases, a pimple is not a simple one-time inflammation, but a manifestation of a serious internal disorder. In this case, it is better not to delay going to the doctor.
Internal pimple on the lip, what to do first?
As mentioned earlier, if this inflammatory process reappears, the first thing you should do is make an appointment with a specialist. At the same time, it is worth completely (at least temporarily) giving up cosmetics, which very often acts as a catalyst for this process.
As soon as you notice the first signs of a pimple, the main thing to remember is that you should not touch it with your hands! If you start licking your lips, touching the pimple with your hands, and even more so trying to squeeze it out, the infection can quickly spread to healthy tissue.
If you feel that an internal pimple has appeared on your lip, which resembles a subcutaneous ball, you should act immediately, since most likely it is herpes. If left untreated, this small ball can develop into an unaesthetic and painful purulent pimple, which, among other things, will take a very long time to heal.
It is better to attack incipient herpes with a special ointment, for example, Zovirax. The proven old-fashioned method has also proven itself to be excellent - earwax, which works no worse than pharmaceutical products. You can also use fir oil, which is best applied every two hours.
You need to understand that if you managed to get rid of a herpes germ on your lips, this does not mean that you have completely overcome the infection. Herpes is a disease that can lie dormant in the body for many years, and then come out at a very inopportune time.
Quite often there are cases when internal inflammation is caused by ordinary lipsticks. It doesn’t matter what company they are or how much they cost. If your lips are excessively sensitive, then it is better not to use any cosmetic products. Healthy, beautiful lips do not need additional decoration.
Localization of spots
They can have different sizes, both with clear contours and blurry ones, merge together or not grow at all. Depending on the differential diagnosis and the type of hypermelanosis, they can be located both in certain areas and without specific boundaries, covering absolutely any area of the body.
On the face
One of the most common sites of localization of many hyperpigmentations. This is due to the fact that the skin here is thin enough so that negative factors can attack them faster. Among the common phenomena are freckles, which can decorate the face all year round and also appear and disappear after exposure to the sun. They are also localized over the entire surface or located pointwise in the area of the cheeks, eyes, and forehead.
Anti-age drugs
Bb Laboratories – Delicate oil for deep cleansing
Laennec – solution for injection
Bb Laboratories – Two-phase serum concentrate
Two-phase placental serum concentrate
On the body
Namely on the arms, shoulders, chest, back, groin area. For each individual disease, there are areas where pigment accumulation is observed. For example, senile hyperpigmentation is typically located on the hands, forearms, and upper back.
Types and symptoms of age spots
Let's consider the most characteristic signs of hypermelanosis, as well as control methods that are relevant for each specific type of pathology.
Freckles
The most common type of melanin accumulation. They are mainly located on the face, in the cheek area. In advanced cases, they can completely cover the entire surface of the skin with small distances between the spots. And also have a round or oval shape, small diameter, clear contours.
Genetic predisposition plays a major role, so freckles can appear in childhood. People with red and blond hair are most susceptible to them. This is due to the need for high melanin production to protect the skin.
Freckles can be easily distinguished from other types of spots by the complete disappearance of pigmentation in cold weather, and the appearance of a whole scattering on the face with the arrival of warmth. Therefore, to combat them, creams with maximum sun filters are used throughout the year, as well as lightening cosmetics.
Melasma
Spots without clear boundaries and endings, varying in shade from bronze to dark brown. They have the ability to stretch, grow, and merge with each other into huge pigmented areas that occupy a large surface of the body. The main provoking factor is considered to be hormonal disorders caused by menopause, pregnancy, and the use of oral contraceptives. Treatments include peeling methods and procedures that promote cell renewal. When the root causes are eliminated, the stains quickly disappear.
Melasma
The second name is melanosis. It can be acquired or hereditary, manifests itself in the form of an accumulation of melanin with uneven but clear boundaries and localization in open areas of the body. May occur as a result of Addison's disease, hemochromatosis, due to sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, anthracene or acridine substances, diseases of the pituitary gland, ovaries, adrenal glands, syphilis, tuberculosis, malaria, treatment with hormones. Pigmentation is accompanied by redness, itching, peeling, and roughening of the skin.
To prevent progress, sunscreens are used, drug therapy is prescribed with steroid groups, retinoids, hydroacids, and vitamins B (1.6) and C are additionally used.
Becker's nevus
A characteristic defect in men, it is much less common in women. The first manifestations can be as early as 10 years of age. It is a hyperpigmented area protruding above the surface of the skin, on which dark long hairs grow. It occurs both as a result of genetic factors and can appear after sun exposure, changes in hormonal levels, in particular androgens. The location most often is the upper back and chest; it is not often found on the legs, groin, or head. It has a warty surface on which acne or comedones can be seen. Does not respond well to any cosmetic procedures or medications. An argon laser is used to minimize the aesthetic defect.
Secondary
Occurs at the site of mechanical damage. They can be either deep cuts, scratches, or acne, comedones, ulcers and other superficial causes that trigger the inflammatory process in the skin cells. There is an excess of melanin, resulting in staining. They are localized where the damage was and go away after the area returns to normal and the inflammation disappears. To speed up the lightening process, you can use special lightening creams or cosmetic procedures aimed at renewing the epidermal layer.
Age
As we age, the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation lead to increased melanin production in certain areas of the body. These are usually open areas that have been exposed to a lot of sunlight during their lifetime. With age, spots appear with a diameter of 1 to 5 cm, which are darker in color than the entire surface of the skin.
Berlocc's dermatitis
Refers to contact types of immune response to irritants. Usually due to contact with perfumes, colognes, and deodorants. It is located where the skin came into contact with the substance. Symptoms may include not only a change in the color of the dermal layer, but also itching, peeling, and swelling. It disappears quickly, just stop using perfume and in a few days everything will return to normal.
Chloasma
Large spots can merge into one large skin defect. They do not have a clear contour or boundaries and can grow and increase in size throughout life. Among the provoking factors are pregnancy and lactation, menopause, changes in hormonal levels due to diseases, stress, taking oral contraceptives, steroids, the use of hormone-containing ointments and some cosmetics.
Cosmetic procedures
To look attractive and restore healthy skin, you need to find the root cause of blackheads. A doctor who deals with skin diseases is called a dermatologist. You may need to visit an endocrinologist, gynecologist and gastroenterologist.
Special cosmetic procedures help effectively remove blackheads. They can be used as an independent method of treatment or as a method that complements the main therapy.
People with problem skin first try to squeeze out comedones on their own. But it is better to consult a cosmetologist. This procedure in professional language is called mechanical cleaning. The face is first steamed, spots are removed with special tools, after which anti-inflammatory and pore-narrowing agents are applied.
In beauty salons, comedones are removed using phototherapy. The procedure is so called because of the use of short flashes of light that destroy pathogenic bacteria and regulate the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Phototherapy removes spots on the face, as well as freckles on the nose and rosacea on the cheeks in a course of 5-7 procedures.
Chemical peeling also helps get rid of comedones. To carry it out, substances are used that soften the horny scales and help open the skin pores. After application and light rubbing, you can reduce greasiness and get rid of rashes.
You can remove spots on your face using the biodermabrasion procedure. For it, several types of peeling are taken, which prepares the epidermis for mechanical stress. Biodermabrasion removes superficial and deep blackheads, relieves inflammation and oily skin.
What causes pigment spots to appear on the face after sunbathing?
Most manifestations of hyperpigmentation occur after the negative effects of ultraviolet rays. Among those that immediately appear are freckles, various melasma and chloasma. There are also those that have a cumulative effect, for example, lentigo.
Also, if during the summer vacation there were inflammatory processes in open areas of the body, most likely after they heal, a change in shade can be clearly observed.
Prolonged exposure to the hot sun with the presence of existing tumors and increased pigmentation can be fraught with the degeneration of harmless spots into aggressive cancer - melanoma. Therefore, you should limit your tanning time and use special cosmetics for protection.
Age spots and peeling
Melanin accumulation occurs in the upper layers of the epidermis. In order to remove unaesthetic problems, products that stimulate the renewal of the dermis are used. The most effective peelings are: chemical, mechanical, laser. They promote the regeneration of epidermal cells, forcing keratinocytes to produce new ones as quickly as possible, which will not have a large accumulation of coloring pigment. When eliminating the root causes of hyperpigmentation, there is a chance that you will forget about various spots for a long time.
How to remove blackheads from the lips
If you act in the old fashioned way - squeezing out comedones, then such a procedure can only aggravate the problem. Firstly, it is quite painful. Secondly, an infection can get into the wounds, after which inflammation will begin. Its consequences are difficult to remove.
There are several ways to help remove blackheads painlessly. Moreover, these do not require visiting specialists. They are as effective as expensive salon treatments.
Home remedies are good if comedones appear in small quantities.
Causeless manifestations
It happens that people try to protect their skin, use special sunscreens, but hyperpigmented areas still appear. It's like it happens for no apparent reason. However, for melanocytes to malfunction, even a small but prolonged stress or temporary hormonal imbalance is enough.
It is also worth noting the cumulative negative effect of ultraviolet radiation, which can manifest itself over the years on areas of the body that received sunburn in early childhood. Therefore, only at first glance it seems that hypermelanosis arose without provoking factors. In fact, he has hidden reasons.
Liver pigment spots
Deterioration in the functionality of internal organs can also lead to the formation of aesthetic defects. The liver plays the role of a filter, retaining and processing all dangerous substances, and then removing them from the body. In cases where she fails to cope with her duties, slow but sure intoxication occurs, which is manifested not only by internal, but also by external pathologies.
Metabolic processes in tissues are disrupted, including the normal distribution of melanin; it accumulates in certain areas. Most often it appears on the face. The contours of such spots are not uniform, they do not have a clear boundary. The color can also vary from light to dark brown.
Stages
There are four stages of lip cancer.
- The size of the neoplasm is small and does not exceed 2 centimeters; the malignant tissue is concentrated within the lip. Lymph nodes are not affected, there are no metastases.
- The pathological tissue increases in size up to 4 centimeters, but the lymph nodes are not affected and there are no metastases.
- The tumor exceeds 4 centimeters in diameter and affects one or two regional lymph nodes.
- Malignant tissue spreads to the jaw bones, tongue, maxillary sinus, or penetrates the masticatory muscles and pterygoid process, reaches the carotid artery and grows into the base of the skull.
Lentigo
The phenomenon is popularly known as “senile ripples.” Appears in older people in areas of the body that have been exposed to intense ultraviolet rays throughout their lives. The pigment usually appears on the arms from the hands to the top of the shoulders, upper back, décolleté, and face. It is distinguished by its small size, different diameters and chaotic arrangement of spots.
The first manifestations can be noticed after 40 years; they noticeably age the appearance, so many people at this stage turn to cosmetologists to eliminate the defect. During menopause, hormonal changes lead to an increase in the amount of pigment. Chemical, mechanical and laser peels are used for treatment. Cosmetics and whitening creams will not cope with the problem.
Let's look at the main types of comedones
Open comedones are the so-called blackheads. They are pores clogged with oxidized sebum and keratinized cells with melanin particles. Because of this, they have a dark shade and dense structure.
Closed comedones are small white subcutaneous nodules. They are formed when the sebaceous ducts are blocked by dead skin cells and sebum. Unlike blackheads, in closed comedones the plug is formed subcutaneously, and the duct does not have an exit to the outside. Papules quite often become inflamed, also cause pain, and a reddish tint appears around them.
Both types of comedones spoil the appearance, form irregularities, pigment spots, and depressions (as a consequence), and improper treatment and removal can cause the appearance of new lesions.
Many comedones form acne - a disease of skin rashes.
It is important not to confuse closed comedones with milia (epidermal cystic formations), sebaceous adenomas (benign skin formations characteristic of adulthood) and allergic rashes. Getting rid of these types of skin diseases is possible only in a beauty salon, under the supervision of a doctor.
Solarium - is it harmful?
It is also a mistake to think that sun tanning is harmful, and nothing will happen in specialized salons in a few minutes. On the beach, the skin gets a lot of heat, but this happens gradually. In the booths, a loading dose of ultraviolet radiation is given in a few minutes, which is difficult to obtain outdoors even in a whole day.
People with a fair skin type, with the presence of moles and nevi, freckles, existing aesthetic defects in the form of increased melanin production, need to get rid of the habit of visiting a solarium. The consequences can be expressed both in the progression of unsightly changes in the epidermal layer, and in their degeneration into malignant neoplasms.
Cosmetic and therapeutic methods for eliminating blackheads around the mouth
After conducting a series of tests, the doctor prescribes various medications:
- Zinc ointment dries out inflammation, narrows pores, and prevents them from clogging.
- Salicylic gel as an antiseptic removes inflammation of the epidermis.
- Thanks to special components (retinoic acid), Differin cream dries out comedones.
- Skinoren gel (azelaic acid) has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. It dries the skin very much, it should be used with moisturizing creams.
Medications that help get rid of blackheads around the lips can cause allergies. Therefore, you should not use them without consulting a specialist.
In specialized stores and pharmacies there are cosmetics for the face that help cope with cosmetic defects:
- Fabric masks contain a concentrate of medicinal plants that can penetrate deep into the pores.
- Clay-based masks remove excess sebum and tighten pores, thereby preventing them from clogging.
- Gel applicators with salicylic acid have an exfoliating and anti-inflammatory effect.
These drugs are used in accordance with the instructions.
Diagnostics
To accurately determine the type of hypermelanosis, as well as to identify effective means of control, you need to contact a dermatologist. At the initial visit, the doctor will collect the patient's medical history to determine the most likely internal and external factors that will indicate a certain type of disorder. He will examine the skin and also prescribe a number of tests:
- AOK and OAM;
- blood biochemistry;
- Wood's lamp tests;
- scraping;
- biopsy.
If a malignant neoplasm or fungal infection is suspected, referrals will be given for the last two procedures on the list. As a result, the specialist will be able to accurately determine the type of illness and prescribe therapeutic or cosmetic procedures.
Anti-age drugs
Bb Laboratories – Hyaluron-elastin-collagen extract
Laennec – solution for injection
Curacen Essence (20 fl x 2 ml)
Two-phase placental serum concentrate
Diagnosis and treatment of lip cancer in Moscow
If you find signs of lip cancer, contact the Meditsina clinic for a comprehensive examination and confirmation or refutation of suspicions. At your service:
- exclusive diagnostic equipment;
- own laboratory performing all types of analyses;
- oncologists of the highest category who will conduct treatment;
- a well-equipped inpatient department;
- medical service of international level.
Call us to find out the details you are interested in and schedule a consultation.
How to fight
Among the modern and effective methods of struggle, it is worth highlighting:
- cosmetic preparations;
- laser peeling;
- phototherapy.
Depending on the variety, medications may be prescribed to address the underlying causes. However, to remove an aesthetic defect, it will be necessary to wait for the cell surface to renew itself, or to help it renew itself faster with the help of additional deep peeling and cosmetic photorejuvenation procedures.
Cosmetic preparations
Among the popular drugs that give noticeable results in the fight against hyperpigmentation are placental products with a high content of natural peptides, amino acids and hyaluronic acid, as well as vitamins, micro- and macroelements. Injection product Curacen (Curasen) and non-injection drug Curacen Essence (Curasen Essence) are the ideal choice of cosmetologists for triple action: brightening, moisturizing and eliminating wrinkles. You can also use specialized cosmetics from the Laennec Skincare brand - LNC. This line offers to transform the skin at the cellular level, eliminating and preventing hyperpigmentation.
Now you know about the main causes of pigmentation, as well as what causes the appearance of age spots on the face, and you can easily answer the question - what to do when pigments have already appeared. Dermatologists recommend not only limiting time spent on the beach and using sunscreen in summer, but also year-round use of skin protection from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation. It is this that becomes the main catalyst, and in combination with internal disorders of the body can lead to serious changes in the epidermal layer.
