What is Milia on Lips? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Quick Summary: Milia on Lips

• Frequently, these milia are white or yellowish in color and appear when [keratin](/blogs/what-are-milia-bumps) accumulates under the skin, particularly at the lip line or on skin directly around the mouth.
• They are not pimples or cold sores. Milia are painless, non-contagious, firm, and have no pus or fluid.
• They can result from a variety of things, such as a buildup of old skin, heavy [lip balms](/blogs/best-tips-to-prevent-milia-simple-skin-care-at-home), thick creams, sun damage, skin irritation, or a slowing down of skin cell turnover around the mouth.
• Milia should not be pinched or plucked on the lips. This area is sensitive and if handled at home can become scarred, bleed, or become infected.
• Treatment is not generally indicated, but milia that are resistant to this may be safely removed by a dermatologist by professional extraction or some other procedures performed in the office.

What Are Milia on the lips?

Milia are small cysts just beneath the surface of the skin, which can look like firm, white dots and feel a little raised to the touch. They usually occur on the skin around the border of the lips instead of on the lips or inside the mouth.

They are not contagious, do not indicate poor hygiene, and don't spread like cold sores.

Squeezing, cutting, or picking at these bumps isn't recommended, especially in the lip area, as it's sensitive. Trying to extract milia at home may lead to bleeding, scarring, infection, or post-inflammatory dark marks.

This is a clinical study of Fordyce spots, and the proportion of patients with lip involvement was noteworthy: 50% had Fordyce spots on the upper lip, 25% on both lips, and 12.5% on the lower. The spots were usually 1-3 mm in diameter and resembled the small white bumps that people sometimes mistake for milia.

What Causes Milia on Lips?

There are different reasons why milia around the lips may occur.

1. Trapped Keratin

Milia are most often caused by trapped keratin (skin oil) under the skin. If dead skin cells aren't shed normally, they may build up to create a small cyst. A Spanish newborn study reported that 16.6% of newborns had cutaneous cysts, 53.7% had palatal cysts, and 13.4% had gingival cysts.

2. Heavy Lip Balms or Occlusive Products

For some people, the build-up of blocked skin around the mouth can be caused by thick lip balms, petroleum-based products, heavy creams, or oily skin care around the mouth. This does not apply to all lip balms, but it is possible that bumps can more easily occur on people who are prone to them if they use very heavy lip balm regularly.

3. Skin Damage or Irritation

As a result of irritation or repeated rubbing around the lips, skin burns, rashes, or cosmetic treatments, milia can occur. Sometimes this type is called secondary milia.

4. Slow Skin Cell Turnover

There are also those who naturally exfoliate dead skin cells at a slower rate. Milia can develop more easily when the old cells are retained longer, further down the surface.

5. Sun Damage

Overexposure can lead to the skin becoming thicker and rougher, and aggravate the possibility of skin buildup around the face and lips. In an oral and facial inclusion cyst study in Brazil, milia were observed in 31.4% of newborns, alveolar cysts in 28.2%, and palatal cysts in 78.8%.

Symptoms of Milia on Lips

Milia often resemble each other and have a uniform appearance. Common signs include:

• Small white, cream, or yellowish bumps
• A solid feel under the skin
• Usually 1-2 mm in diameter.
• No Pain, No Itching or Burning sensation
• No drainage, pus, or crusting
• Bumps that don't seem to change and stay in the same place for weeks or months.

A bump that is painful, red, blistered, crusted, or that starts to ooze fluid is not milia and should be evaluated by a health care provider.

Milia vs Fordyce Spots on Lips

Fordyce spots are often confused with milia. They are enlarged sebaceous glands, commonly found on lips or inner cheeks, and are commonly noticed as small, yellowish, pale or skin coloured dots.

The main difference is that the Fordyce spots tend to cluster together, and they are more likely to be found directly on the surface of the lip, while milia are keratin cysts that typically develop on surrounding skin near the lip border.

Both are harmless, and a dermatologist can determine the specifics of any suspicious bump.

Milia vs Cold Sores

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, and appear as painful blisters that can burn, tingle, crust over, or recur in the same location.

By contrast, milia are not painful, they don't blister, they don't crust, and they don't spread. Consulting a health care provider is the right action to take if you have a lip bump that hurts or if you have frequent blisters.

A study of 2,530 neonates revealed that 95.8% of them presented with at least one dermatological sign during the first 72 hours of life, and milia were observed in 17.3% of newborns.

How to Treat Milia on Lips

Treatment is not necessary for most milia. The smaller, non-inflammatory bumps may improve over time. If they continue or are a cosmetic issue, several treatment options are available.

1. Do Not Squeeze Them

This is the most important step. Milia are not pimples, and squeezing them is not likely to be effective. This can cause injury to the sensitive skin around the lips and result in scarring.

2. Use Gentle Cleansing

Use a mild, gentle cleanser to wash the area. Do not scrub lips or apply harsh exfoliants near lips.

3. Avoid Heavy Products Around the Lip Line

If bumps do occur after applying some of the thicker lip balms or rich creams, opt for a light, non-comedogenic option. Avoidance of heavy formulas around the mouth can help minimize recurrences in people prone to milia.

4. Try Gentle Exfoliation Around the Lips

A mild chemical exfoliant can help promote normal skin cell turnover in the perioral area. Not to be applied directly to the inside of the lips or on broken skin, strong acids should be avoided near the lips as they can irritate or burn the lips.

5. Ask a Dermatologist About Retinoids

If milia are recurrent, a topical retinoid may be indicated, as this promotes more normal cell shedding. Use with caution around the lip area; may cause irritation; use guidance of a professional.

6. Professional Extraction

If milia are not going to go away, they can be safely removed by a dermatologist with sterile instruments. It can be a quick process, but it should never be performed at home.

7. Other In-Office Treatments

If the milia are numerous or persistent, other minor procedures like chemical peels, laser treatment, or other options may be recommended by a dermatologist, depending on the type of skin and the exact location of the milia bumps.

Home Care Tips for Milia Around Lips

To reduce the risk of recurrence of milia:

• Opt for light lip products and skin care formulations
• Never sleep with makeup
• Avoid picking and scratching bumps
• Avoid too much sun exposure to the area
• Avoid over-exfoliating and over-regularly exfoliating.
• Don't use strong acne treatments around or on the lips

See a dermatologist if milia continue to develop in the same spot.

When to See a Doctor?

It's time to see a dermatologist if:

• The bump hurts or is rapidly expanding.
• Bleeds, crusts over, or leaks fluid
• It looks like a blister or sores that are open.
• It continues to come back in the same place
• You're not sure if it's milia, Fordyce spots, acne or a cold sore

Safe and professional removal without the risk of scarring.

Can Milia on Lips Be Prevented?

Although not every milia bump can be prevented, there are steps that can be taken to meaningfully lower the risk: keeping the lips clean, opting for lighter products, avoiding aggressive scrubbing, and helping the skin avoid sun damage.

If milia around the lips occur often, it's a safe bet that skincare and lip products are the culprit. Oily cosmetics around the mouth, heavy balms, and thick creams might be replaced with lighter products.

Final Thoughts

White or yellowish milia on the lips typically are harmless growths that result from the retention of keratin under the skin. They may look like pimples, cold sores, or Fordyce spots, but they are a different condition altogether, with their own unique causes and traits.

Best practice is to leave them alone, touch the surrounding skin carefully, and, if you're not sure what they are, consult a dermatologist if they don't seem to be going away. However, milia can be effectively removed with professional treatment without any damage to the sensitive skin around the lips.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Milia on Lips

1. Can milia appear on the lips?

Milia usually appear on the skin around the lips and not on the soft part of the lips. Small white bumps located along the lip line, on the inside corners of the mouth, or on adjacent skin can be milia, but can also be Fordyce spots or blocked pores.

2. Are milia on the lips dangerous?

Milia are harmless cysts of keratin and are not contagious. If a bump is painful, bleeding, crusty or enlarging, however, it should be assessed by a dermatologist.

3. How do I know if it is milia or a cold sore?

Milia are usually firm, white spots, without blisters or crusts, and without pain. By contrast, cold sores typically start with a tingle, burn, or discomfort and progress to fluid-filled blisters. Bumps that persist or are painful are not likely milia.

4. Can I pop milia on my lips?

Milia are not pimples and cannot be squeezed. Milia in the lip area is especially fragile and may leave scarring, bleeding, infection, or permanent dark spots if you try to pop them.

5. Why do I keep getting white bumps around my lips?

Trapped keratin, thick lip products, clogged skin, irritation, and slow skin cell turnover are some of the reasons behind the emergence of recurring white bumps around the lips. The spots can also be Fordyce spots (harmless, enlarged sebaceous glands which are very common in this area).

6. Can Vaseline cause milia on lips?

Although not generally comedogenic, very heavy or occlusive products can cause a build-up in some people. If you see milia forming after applying heavier balms or piling on products around the mouth, use a less heavy product and pay attention to if the bumps get better.

7. Should I stop using lip balm if I have milia?

It's not necessary to take lip balm completely out of your life. But if they seem to cause bumps, those that are thick and waxy or have a strong, fragrant, or oily smell may not be worth considering. Use a simple, light lip balm; don't put heavier products beyond the natural lip border.

8. Can exfoliation remove milia on the lips?

Exfoliation in the area around the lips should be gentle, as it may help prevent accumulation that can lead to milia, but should be avoided on the lips themselves, whether in the form of physical scrubs or strong chemical acids. Excessive peeling can cause skin irritation and exacerbate the issue.

9. Do milia on lips go away on their own?

Yes, some milia will go away on their own - it may take weeks or months. A dermatologist can remove a bump safely and effectively if it persists or is a cosmetic problem.

10. What is the fastest way to remove lip milia?

The safest and fastest solution is professional keratin removal by a dermatologist, who will be able to remove the trapped keratin with sterile instruments. It is not recommended to cut or lance the bump at home.

11. Can retinol help milia around the lips?

Recurring milia can be prevented with retinol, or prescription retinoids, which help promote skin cell turnover. But the lip area is very sensitive, therefore, these products should be introduced slowly and shouldn't be applied directly to the lips unless recommended by a professional.

12. Are lip milia the same as Fordyce spots?

Milia are skin cysts filled with keratin, and Fordyce spots are exposed sebaceous glands, which are usually seen on or around the lips. They are usually harmless and resemble each other to the naked eye, but a dermatologist can make the determination.

13. Can toothpaste cause bumps around the lips?

Some of the ingredients in toothpaste may cause skin irritation around the mouth and lead to small bumps, dryness, or redness in sensitive individuals. If bumps are occurring after switching toothpaste brands, then switching to a soap-free, fragrance-free toothpaste may help.

14. Can makeup or lipstick cause milia around the lips?

Some individuals may experience a build-up around their mouth due to heavy lipstick, lip liner, foundation, or concealer. This risk can be lessened by a thorough removal of all makeup before retiring to bed at night and by using formulas that do not irritate or age.

15. When should I see a dermatologist for lip bumps?

Get expert advice if a bump is painful, spreading, bleeding, crusting, changing in color, size, or if it doesn't get better over time. If you are still not sure if your skin problem is milia or Fordyce spots, or acne or maybe a cold sore, you must get an appropriate evaluation.