Black spots appearing on lips are quite rare and will cause considerable alarm if you develop them suddenly. Black spots on the lips can also be embarrassing as it is not a pleasant sight. This makes it a priority to find out its cause and means to get rid of them. There are a number of causes of black spots on the lips. Thankfully, there are many remedies as well, which is dependent on the cause.

Causes of Black Spots on Lips

There are several potential causes of black spots on the lips:

• Cigarette smoking
• Too much sun exposure resulting in dry lips and dark patches
• High intake of caffeinated beverages, such as tea or coffee
• Consumption of hot food
• Biting and licking the lips constantly
• High levels of iron in the body
• Vitamin B deficiency
• Changes in hormone levels
• Allergic reactions to toothpaste and products applied on the lips
• Allergic reaction to lip medication
• Using expired lipsticks and inferior quality lip care products
• Excessive pigmentation on the lips
• A symptom of cancer, in rare cases

Remedies for Black Spots on Lips

Getting rid of black spots on the lips is not that difficult as there are several effective remedies available. Unwanted spots on lips usually show significant responses with regular lip caring tips. This, however, depends on the cause of these spots. Some of the remedies and tips are mentioned below.

1. Apply Certain Things

• Lip Balm. Excessive sun exposure can cause the lips to dry, and this, in turn, causes black spots on lips. The application of lip balm before leaving the house can prevent these spots from forming as lip balm acts as a protective barrier.
• Lemon Juice. Lemon juice has natural bleaching properties and helps eliminate spots. Applying lemon juice and honey, several times a day can eliminate lip discoloration.
• Water. Dry lips can occur due to dehydration which can cause black spots to appear on lips. Drinking plenty of water, like at least 8 glasses a day, keeps the body well hydrated. A hydrated body means hydrated lips. Licking dry lips can also be avoided by drinking plenty of water.

2. Avoid Certain Things

• Hot Foods. Consuming meals when they are steaming hot can also exacerbate the condition. Therefore, the food should be allowed to cool before consumption.
• Tea and Coffee. People who consume more than one or two cups of tea or coffee and experiencing black spots on the lips should cut back on the consumption. The condition will improve significantly with each consumption.
• Expired Lip Products. Black spots on the lips can be prevented by using high quality lip cosmetics and the use of expired ones can only make things worse.
• Iron Supplements. Reducing foods high in iron and avoiding iron supplements may reduce the black spots that appear on the lips.
• Certain Medications. Some medications can also be causing the black spots on the lips. Some of the most common ones are: estrogens, phenytoin, amiodarone, tetracyclines, sulfonamide, and phenothiazines. This should be discussed with your doctor before discontinuation.
• Tobacco and Alcohol. Stopping smoking has many health benefits. It can also prevent the formation of black spots on the lips. The same can be applied to the consumption of alcohol. Beneficial results will be apparent within a short time span if one abstains from them.

There may be instances when these home remedies may not be sufficient in getting rid of black spots on lips. In this instance, it may be beneficial seeking the advice of a dermatologist who will identify the root cause of the issue and recommend a prescription medication.