Why Do Lip Pimples Even Happen?
For men, very often its due to shaving, says Dr. Howe. Acne is inflammatory in nature and can be caused by irritation. If youre sloppy, impatient, too fast or using a dull razor, the reaction can be acne . It could also be that you used something different like a borrowed razor or a new product. Another culprit could be if youve been touching the area more frequently, like if you have a cold or runny nose.
What About Lip Balm?
If its a heavy one, yes it could be to blame, he says, but youd have to be putting it far past your lip line where it could clog pores.
How Can I Tell If I Have a Pimple or a Cold Sore?
Its easier to tell if something is a cold sore, says Dr. Howe. Repetition is key. If youve had similar blemishes before in the exact same spot, its likely its a cold sore. If you felt tingling, numbness, or pain before you saw a spot on your lip, thats another sign it is a cold sore, he says. Finally, if there is blister, especially a broken one or one that is not a perfect circle, youre likely dealing with a cold sore. A unique thing about a cold sore blister is that rather than it being circular, it will have intersectional circles, he says. The herpes virus makes multiple little blisters break out, so the border is not a perfect circle.
Unless what youre seeing is a blackhead (a dark colored clogged pore which is also common in the lip area), telling the difference can be tricky. Sometimes people will get a deeper pimple thats raised red and has a white head, says Dr. Howe. Thats where it gets tricky whether its a deep-seeded cold sore or a pimple, because they can look pretty darn similar. When it doubt, its best to ask your dermatologist.
How Do I Get Rid of It?
If you come to me to treat it, well inject it with cortisone, whether its a pimple or a cold sore, says Dr. Howe. An injection can take a four to seven day healing process down to one to two days, depending on how far along it is.
At home, Dr. Howe recommends spot treating with drying agents like or an acne cream that contains benzoyl peroxide. Use a heavier application than usual which will have a drying effect and help shrink it down, he says.
If its a blackhead, squeezing it out yourself can cause more zits to form. Dr. Howe advises getting it professionally extracted. Our fingers are blunt instruments and the point of contact is larger than the instrument I use, he says. People often get a ring of other pimples, because they push the surrounding pores together with their fingers.
How Can I Prevent Lip Pimples?
The most important thing is to cultivate good shaving habits. Shave carefully after a hot shower, says Dr. Howe. Maybe use a hot towel before you shave, use a good quality shave gel, and go slow-dont rush!. Gently exfoliate your skin before shaving and use an aftershave to prevent ingrown hairs, too.