Look closely at your lips in the mirror. If you see tiny pale white or yellowish dots scattered across them, especially on the upper lip, you are looking at Fordyce spots. They have a medical sounding name, but they are completely normal, very common, and nothing to worry about.
What are Fordyce spots?
Fordyce spots, also called Fordyce granules, are visible oil glands. They are small sebaceous glands that sit just under the surface of the skin, and on the lips they show up as tiny pale dots, usually white or slightly yellow. They are not pimples, not blisters, and not a rash. They are simply glands that are visible because the skin on the lips is so thin.
They are not a disease. They are a normal variation, like freckles or a birthmark. You cannot catch them from anyone, and you cannot give them to anyone. They are not caused by poor hygiene, and they are not a sign of infection.
Fordyce spots are most noticeable on the lips, but they can also appear on other areas where the skin is thin. On the lips, they tend to cluster on the upper lip and along the border where the lip meets the surrounding skin. Some people have just a few. Others have many, spread across both lips.
Why do Fordyce spots show up?
Fordyce spots are present from birth, but they usually become visible around puberty, when oil glands become more active. They often become more noticeable with age, as the lips lose some of their natural fullness and colour, which makes the pale dots stand out more against the lip.
They are extremely common. Most adults have them to some degree, though some are far more visible than others. If your lips are naturally pale, the dots can blend in. If your lips have more pigment, the contrast can make the dots easier to see. Lighting matters too. In bright light or close up photos, Fordyce spots are much more obvious than they are at a normal distance.
There is nothing you did to cause them, and nothing you did wrong. They are simply part of how your skin is built.
Are Fordyce spots harmful?
No. Fordyce spots are harmless. They do not hurt, they do not itch, and they do not turn into anything else. They are not contagious, and they are not a sexually transmitted infection. They are sometimes confused with cold sores or herpes, but they are completely different. Cold sores are painful blisters that come and go. Fordyce spots are painless, permanent, and do not change.
You do not need to treat Fordyce spots for health reasons. The only reason to do anything about them is cosmetic, if the way they look bothers you. That is a personal choice, and a valid one. Many clients tell us they have felt self conscious about the dots for years, especially in photos, and they want their lip colour to look smoother and more even.
If you ever notice a new spot on your lip that is painful, growing, bleeding, or changing shape, that is different, and you should have it checked by a doctor. Fordyce spots themselves do not do any of those things.
Can you get rid of Fordyce spots?
There is no cream or home remedy that removes Fordyce spots. Some medical treatments, like certain lasers, can reduce them, but those treatments are done by a doctor, carry their own risks, and do not always give an even result.
Lip blush does not remove Fordyce spots either, and we want to be honest about that. What lip blush does is even out the colour of your lips. We deposit pigment into the lips so the overall tone becomes deeper and more uniform. Once the colour is even, the pale dots blend into the surrounding lip instead of standing out against it. The spots are still there underneath, but they are far less noticeable, because the contrast that made them visible is gone.
That is what you are seeing in the photo above. The before photo shows natural lips with visible Fordyce spots. The after photo, taken fresh immediately after the appointment, shows the same lips with an even deep rose colour. The spots are still present, but the colour is so much more uniform that they fade into the background.
How lip blush helps with Fordyce spots
Lip blush is a form of cosmetic tattooing. We use a fine needle to deposit pigment into the upper layers of the lip, building up an even wash of colour. The pigment is matched to your skin tone and to the look you want, from a soft natural flush to a deeper rose.
For clients with Fordyce spots, the goal is an even, consistent colour across the whole lip. We map the lips, choose the pigment together, and show you before we begin. The pigment goes over the entire lip, including the areas with the most visible spots, so the finished colour is uniform.
The result is lips that look naturally flushed and even, like your lips on their best day, every day. You wake up with colour. Lipstick becomes optional. And the Fordyce spots that used to catch your eye in the mirror are much harder to see.
What is a lip blush appointment like?
Your appointment starts with a consultation. We talk about the colour you want, look at your lips together, and discuss what a realistic result looks like for you. We map the shape and show you the plan before we begin, so you can approve it.
The appointment itself takes about two hours. We apply numbing cream first, so most clients feel very little discomfort, more like a light scratching sensation. Then we build the colour in layers, working across the whole lip for an even result.
Lip blush at Studio Vanassa is $399. The colour looks darker and more intense on the day than it will once it heals, which is completely normal. A touch-up within two months is $210, and a touch-up after twelve months is $399. Touch-ups are charged sessions, like all of our touch-ups.
What is healing like after lip blush?
Healing is straightforward, but it helps to know what to expect. For the first few days, your lips will look darker and more intense than the final result, and they may feel slightly dry or tight. A thin flaking may form as the skin heals. This is normal. Do not pick at it.
Over the next two to four weeks, the colour softens and lightens as the skin settles. By week six, the colour has settled into its healed result, which is softer and more natural than the fresh colour you see on the day. That is why the photo above is labelled fresh. The fresh result is beautiful, but the healed result is the true result, and it is softer.
During healing, keep your lips moisturized with the aftercare we give you, avoid picking or peeling, and stay out of pools, saunas, and direct sun while the skin is settling. We give you full aftercare instructions at your appointment.
Who is a good candidate for lip blush?
Lip blush is a good option if you want more even lip colour, if your lips look pale or uneven, or if Fordyce spots bother you. It is also a good option if you want to define your lip border without filler, or if you are tired of reapplying lipstick.
It is not the right choice if you have active cold sores, an infection on the lips, or very cracked and broken skin. If you are prone to cold sores, let us know before your appointment, because lip tattooing can trigger a flare. We will talk through your history and make sure the timing is right.
If you are unsure whether lip blush is right for you, book a consultation. We will look at your lips together, talk honestly about what lip blush can and cannot do for Fordyce spots, and help you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Are Fordyce spots normal?
Yes. Fordyce spots are completely normal. They are visible oil glands, not a disease, not an infection, and not contagious. Most adults have them to some degree. They are simply more visible on some people than others.
Does lip blush remove Fordyce spots?
No, lip blush does not remove Fordyce spots. It evens out the colour of your lips by depositing pigment, so the pale dots blend into the surrounding lip and become much less noticeable. The spots are still there underneath, but the contrast that made them stand out is gone.
Will the Fordyce spots show through after lip blush heals?
Once healed, the colour is softer and more even than the fresh result. Most clients find the spots are far less visible after healing. How much they blend in depends on the pigment chosen and how your skin heals. We will be honest about what to expect at your consultation.
Does lip blush hurt?
Most clients feel very little discomfort. We apply numbing cream before we begin, and most people describe the feeling as a light scratching sensation. We work slowly and check in with you throughout.
How much does lip blush cost in Edmonton?
Lip blush at Studio Vanassa is $399. A touch-up within two months is $210, and a touch-up after twelve months is $399. Touch-ups are charged sessions. Book through www.studiovanassa.com, or call us at (780) 297-8030.
Ready to even out your lip colour?
If Fordyce spots have been bothering you, or you just want lips that look naturally flushed and even every day, we would love to talk. Book through www.studiovanassa.com, or call us at (780) 297-8030. We are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 9pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm, on Whyte Ave in Edmonton.
Those little white dots are normal. But if you want them to fade into the background, lip blush can help.