Fordyce disease spots

Health isn't really my thing, and I haven't seen anything about this on beauty blogs, so I figured I'd just ask my coworkers at work.

A long time ago, I noticed that if I pull my lip tight, these tiny white dots show through the thin skin. Over time, they've multiplied, and now they're right in the middle of my upper lip and in both corners of my bottom lip. Since there are so many now, you can see them even without stretching the skin; the lips just look whitish instead of red in those spots. It looks like the color is missing, and when I stretch it out and look closely, I see these little white specks sitting under the skin.
I have no idea if I'm the only one; I don't exactly go around inspecting people's mouths, and I've never heard anyone else complain about this. It originally started on my upper lip, right where I used to get cold sores (though I haven't had one in years).

What makes it worse is that I don't even wear lipstick, so it stands out even more.
I'm not sure if I should see an esthetician or a dermatologist, or if there's even a way to fix it. I found an article about a great private dermatologist who also does cosmetology, so I'm booking an appointment for next month, but in the meantime, I'm wondering if anyone else has ever heard of this?

For me, it's mostly just an aesthetic issue..

I’m dealing with the exact same thing. It hasn't affected my lower lip, but it shows up on my upper one quite a bit. I’ve had frequent outbreaks of herpes in the past, so I suspect there might be a connection between the two.
It’s really bothering me too, but I honestly have no idea what can be done to fix it.
If anyone happens to know of any effective solutions, I would truly appreciate the help.

Whew, glad to know I’m not the only one. : relief : Looks like we'll be seeing each other at the dermatologist, LOL. Personally, I feel like they could just zap this stuff away with a laser.

Hi there,

Based on your description, you might be looking at ectopic sebaceous glands. It’s known as Fordyce disease—or Fordyce's spots—so feel free to run a quick search to see if they match what you're seeing. Here are a few visual examples:

http://dermatlas.med.jhmi.edu/derm/i...eID=1149472491

http://dermatlas.med.jhmi.edu/derm/i...eID=1041632725

Essentially, these are just sebaceous glands that happen to be more numerous or prominent in certain individuals. They are generally present from birth, though they tend to become more noticeable around puberty and through adulthood.

They aren't painful or problematic; it's strictly a cosmetic matter.

They typically show up as tiny, yellowish-tan bumps or spots on the lips, and sometimes on the inner lining of the cheeks as well.

Medical literature suggests treatment isn't necessary. While options like certain topical applications or lasers exist, their success rates can be hit-or-miss, and they may carry their own set of side effects.

You should definitely consult a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis. We can only speculate about common causes here on Reddit. A specialist can give you a definitive answer and walk you through any potential treatment paths and expected outcomes.

Best regards. 🙂

Sophia Gonzalez79 said:I honestly don't know if I'm the only one... I've never judged anyone else for it, nor have I heard anyone complain...

If this is what Nicholas Myers is referring to, then we're talking about something incredibly common—supposedly affecting about 80% of the population. It can show up anywhere, like the genital area or even around the nipples...

For me, it's mostly just a cosmetic issue...

It's purely an aesthetic concern for me too. And usually, there's no need to treat it...

Standard dermatological literature doesn't suggest any specific treatment—neither topical creams nor physical procedures—since it isn't considered necessary. Some mention Vitamin A-based creams to reduce volume and sebum production, or certain types of lasers for destruction. However, both Vitamin A treatments and laser therapy on sensitive skin, such as the labia, could potentially cause more harm than good...

link

Ugh.

Yeah, exactly. Only, mine looks more like the top photo (masculine lips) rather than the bottom one (feminine). In the woman's photo, it looks like it's sitting right on the surface, but for me, it feels deeper, like it's under the skin.

If lasers or creams could actually make things worse—and considering we're talking about our mouths here—I wouldn't touch anything. But honestly, I'm pretty miserable right now. I was really hoping there was at least some way to tone it down.