Have you noticed tiny white dots on your lips or skin?

They’re small, subtle, yet persistent — and you might be wondering if they signal something serious… or if they’re just a cosmetic issue.

Rest assured, these little marks are tied to a phenomenon far more common than most people realize.

The mysterious little white spots

Whether you’re a teenager, a young adult, or older, you may sometimes discover small raised white spots on your lips — or elsewhere on your skin.

Don’t panic: these are often what’s known as Fordyce spots, a fancy name for simple skin glands that are visible on the surface. They exist in almost everyone, men and women alike, but usually go unnoticed… until one day they suddenly become more visible.

Why do they appear?

These tiny glands are actually present from birth, but they remain nearly invisible during childhood. It’s usually during adolescence, triggered by hormonal changes, that they enlarge slightly and become noticeable.

The good news: they’re not contagious, not caused by an infection, and not a sign of any health problem. Their appearance varies — sometimes isolated, sometimes clustered, white or slightly yellowish in color — and they often blend into your skin tone.

Where can you find them?

Most often, they appear on the upper lip, inside the lining of the mouth, or on the gums. In some cases, they may also be seen on other areas of the skin, including more intimate zones. In every case, they are harmless and completely painless.

Should you be worried?

No. Fordyce spots pose no danger to your health. The only concern is aesthetic, and many people simply choose to leave them alone. But if you’d like to reduce their appearance, there are safe and gentle options available today under professional guidance.

Options for reducing their appearance

Dermatologists have several methods to make these little spots less visible:

At-home care: Certain plant-based oils rich in vitamin E, such as jojoba or argan oil, can help soften and smooth the skin, especially when paired with daily hydration.

Specialized creams: Prescription dermatological treatments can encourage skin renewal and make the spots less noticeable.

Professional treatments: Laser therapy or microneedling, performed by a dermatologist, can effectively reduce their appearance. These are purely cosmetic procedures and should always be carried out by a qualified professional.

What to avoid

You might feel tempted to squeeze or scratch them off yourself — but doing so can weaken the skin and cause irritation. It’s best to resist and, if their appearance bothers you, consult a specialist who can recommend the safest solution for your skin.

These tiny white spots are far more common than you might think and usually don’t require any treatment at all. One last reassuring reminder: what you see as a flaw is often completely invisible to everyone else.