Over time as you smoke, you may begin to notice certain changes in your skin, such as the discoloration of the lips. Your lips may turn darker in color on the whole or develop small areas of darker pigment. Knowing the cause of this and when to see a physician about skin changes ensures that you stay healthy.
Cause
The smoke from a lit cigarette can blow back onto the lips, causing the blood vessels on the lips to lose oxygen. When less oxygen is present, the blood vessels narrow, according to Mother Nature, a health website dedicated to finding natural remedies to relieve health With less oxygen, pigment cells can die, leaving areas of skin discolored. Lip discoloration also can be the result of small burns to the lips that may be painless when they take place, yet damage the skin of the lips, according to Smoking Cessation.
Identification
Lip discoloration can make the lips a deeper red, brown or black in color, according to Smoking Cessation. If you look closely at the discoloration, you may notice red stripes, or striations, on the skin. These may appear slightly elevated when compared to the rest of the lip. You also may observe small white patches.
Considerations
Addressing the root of the problem --- smoking --- will help to put an end to lip discoloration due to smoking. If you quit smoking, your lips may not return to their previous color, but over time the skin will begin to lighten. Stop smoking to prevent the lips from becoming further discolored. Devices such as a nicotine patch or gum are available to help smokers quit successfully.
Treatment
Apply a lightening cream to reduce smoking-related lip discoloration, according to Oprah.com. Examples of active ingredients in creams include hydroquinone, kojic acid or a topical retinoid. These creams require a physician's prescription. You may wish to combine a prescription cream with hydrocortisone cream, which increases the effectiveness of the lightening cream. Wear a lip sunscreen daily because the sun's ultraviolet rays can further discolor your skin.
Warning
If your skin discoloration is accompanied by an ulcer-like projection, especially one that doesn't heal within two weeks, seek medical treatment. Cancer of the lip can begin as an ulcer-like projection on the lip, according to Smoking Cessation. These are most common in those older than 65 years old.
