- Fordyce spots are small, pale bumps on the lips – often appearing in clusters – that are harmless and do not require medical intervention.
- Treatment options for Fordyce spots include home remedies (topical creams, exfoliation, and cool compresses), lasers and cryotherapy, dental fillers, and prescription medications.
- Self-care tips such as avoiding over-exfoliation, practicing good hygiene, and eating a healthy diet are also crucial for reducing the risk and visibility of Fordyce spots.
Fordyce spots are small, pale bumps on the lips, often appearing in clusters. They may be found on the inside of the cheeks or around the border of the lips. While they may look unattractive, Fordyce spots are harmless and do not cause health issues. However, if you’re worried about their appearance, treatments can reduce their size or remove them altogether. Read on to learn more about Fordyce spots and how to treat them.
What Causes Fordyce Spots?
Fordyce spots get their name from John Addison Fordyce, an American dermatologist who discovered them in 1896. They can range in size from 1–5mm across and appear as either isolated spots or in a cluster of spots known as a “kissing group” (as they often appear around the mouth). The cause of these spots is still unknown; however, experts believe they are caused by sebaceous glands that become visible due to thinning skin.
Treatment Options for Fordyce Spots
Treating Fordyce spots is typically focused on reducing their appearance rather than completely removing them, as they are not considered a medical issue. Here are ways to do that:
Home Remedies
Home remedies are a great way to reduce inflammation and remove dead skin cells related to Fordyce spots. Some home remedies that may be beneficial include topical creams containing aloe vera or tea tree oil, exfoliation with gentle scrubs, and cool compresses applied to the affected area.
However, it is essential to remember that these home remedies only address symptoms, not the condition’s cause. Therefore, they may offer temporary relief but will not eliminate the spots permanently.
Medical Treatments
Medical treatments like lasers and cryotherapy can permanently remove Fordyce spots from your skin. Lasers use short pulses of light energy to target areas of discoloration and break down pigmentation clusters beneath the skin’s surface.
Cryotherapy involves freezing small lesions with liquid nitrogen until they blister off or freeze away wholly. While both procedures can be expensive and require multiple sessions for optimal results, they offer permanent solutions for treating Fordyce spots without scarring or other side effects like pain or irritation.
Additionally, dental fillers can be used to shape your lips if Fordyce spots have affected their appearance. Lip shaping procedures utilize hyaluronic acid to fill out the lips and create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The filler can be injected into specific spots of the lips to hide or reduce any visible Fordyce spots.
Prescription Medications
Your doctor may also prescribe topical retinoids or antibiotics if your Fordyce spots are particularly stubborn or inflamed. Retinoids increase cellular turnover, which helps speed up the healing process.
In contrast, antibiotics can help reduce bacteria that could be causing further irritation or infection in the area where the spot appears. However, it is essential to note that these medications should only be used under medical supervision and advice due to potential side effects such as redness, dryness, and irritation of the treated area.
Self-Care Tips to Reduce Fordyce Spots
There are also other ways to reduce your chances of getting these spots. Here are ways to do that:
Over Exfoliating
Too much exfoliating of the skin can make it more vulnerable to developing Fordyce spots. Therefore, be sure to use gentle exfoliating products and limit their use to once or twice a week.
Good Hygiene
It’s essential to keep your skin clean and dry at all times. Wash the affected area regularly with mild soap and water and pat it dry afterward. Also, avoid touching the area too much, as oils from your hands can further irritate the spot.
Healthy Diet
A healthy diet of fruits and vegetables can help keep Fordyce spots away. Foods high in antioxidants, such as berries and leafy greens, are particularly beneficial for the skin.
Although they may look unpleasant at first glance, Fordyce spots are generally harmless and don’t require any medical intervention unless you find them particularly bothersome or embarrassing. If you would like to reduce their visibility, several treatments are available. Speak with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about these types of blemishes so you can decide on the best treatment course.
