How to Get Rid of Smoker’s Lips: Lip Scrubs & More

Natural remedies and medical treatments to lighten and brighten your lips

Have you noticed that your lips have gotten darker over the years? This phenomenon, also called smoker’s lips, is caused by the tobacco inside of cigarettes. Along with darkened skin, you may also notice fine lines or wrinkles on or around your lips. Fortunately, there are many home remedies and medical treatments you can choose from to lighten and plump your lips again. If you’re ready to get your lips back to their natural state, keep reading!

Things You Should Know

  • Brighten your lips by exfoliating 3 to 4 times per week. Use natural products, like sugar or baking soda.
  • Make your own topical lightening treatment out of honey, lemon, or rose petals.
  • Look into medical treatments to lighten your lips, like chemical peels or laser treatments.
  • Prevent your lips from getting darker by quitting smoking (if you still smoke) and protecting your lips from the sun.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Exfoliating Scrubs

  1. Image titled Lighten Dark Lips from Smoking Step 1
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    Remove dry skin and stimulate your circulation with a cinnamon scrub. First, mix ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) of cinnamon with a drop of lemon juice in a small bowl. Then, scoop the cinnamon scrub onto your fingers and gently rub it across your lips.[1] Depending on how sensitive your lips are, you can exfoliate with the cinnamon scrub for up to 10 minutes to remove dead skin, stimulate circulation, and naturally plump your lips.
    • Instead of lemon juice, you can use a drop of vitamin E oil, which can boost the regeneration and growth of cells in your lips.
    • Lemon juice can help regulate the melanin production in your skin, which will make your lips lighter and pinker. Plus, lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent.
    • Using a lip scrub helps get rid of dead skin, leading to brighter, lighter lips. Exfoliate your lips once a week to avoid irritating your skin.
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    2
    Scrub your lips with a toothbrush and petroleum jelly to hydrate them. Smear a dime-sized amount of petroleum jelly onto the bristles of a soft toothbrush.[2] Rub the bristles on your lips in a circular motion to exfoliate dead skin while stimulating blood flow to your lips. Continue rubbing for 3 to 4 minutes, then rinse your lips with water to remove the jelly.
    • Make sure that you rub your lips gently with the toothbrush bristles so that you don’t cause bleeding and irritation.
    • After exfoliating your lips, apply a moisturizer such as lip balm or an overnight lip mask.
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    Use sugar, olive oil, and lemon to make an exfoliating paste. Mix 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of white granulated sugar, 1 to 2 drops of olive oil, and 1 to 2 drops of lemon juice in a small bowl until it forms a paste. Apply the paste to your lips and scrub it in a circular motion to help brighten your lips and remove damaged skin. After exfoliating for a few minutes, rinse the sugar scrub off with water.[3]
    • Try gently scrubbing the paste on your lips for about 3 to 5 minutes. Then, leave it on for about 10 to 20 more minutes to allow olive oil and lemon juice to soak into your skin and help it heal.[4]
    • Instead of olive oil, you can make a honey lip scrub to help hydrate your lips while you exfoliate.
  4. Image titled Lighten Dark Lips from Smoking Step 4
    4
    Apply a baking soda scrub to lighten and brighten your lips. First, place 2 teaspoons (10 grams) of baking soda in a small bowl. Stir in just enough water to make a thick paste.[5] Then, massage the paste over your lips to get rid of the smoke-damaged top layer of skin. After exfoliating for about 3 to 5 minutes, rinse the paste off your lips with water.
    • Because baking soda can dry out your lips, apply a lip moisturizer, such as almond oil or petroleum jelly, after exfoliating.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Natural Topical Remedies

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    Mix honey and lemon extract to make a natural lip-lightening treatment. Stir about 1⁄4 teaspoon (1.2 mL) of honey with 1⁄2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) of lemon extract in a small bowl. Apply the salve over your lips and leave it on for at least 30 minutes, or overnight. Then, gently wipe of the honey and lemon mixture with a clean cloth.[6]
    • The lemon extract in this salve has astringent properties that can help lighten your lips, while the honey will help moisturize your lips and heal damaged skin.
    • You can apply this treatment as frequently as you want until your lips return to their natural color.
  2. Image titled Lighten Dark Lips from Smoking Step 6
    2
    Use fresh rose petals, cream, and honey to lighten and moisturize your lips. Using a mortar and pestle, mash 1 to 2 rose petals as much as you can. Add a dime-sized amount of honey and heavy cream to the bowl and stir until it forms a paste. Apply the paste to your lips and leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes, then wash it off with water and a clean cloth.
    • Rose petals not only lighten the color of your lips, they can also help nourish your lips.
    • For best results, apply this paste to your lips several times per week.
  3. Image titled Lighten Dark Lips from Smoking Step 7
    3
    Try an overnight beetroot salve to lighten your lips. Combine 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of beetroot juice with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of honey in a small bowl. Using a cotton swab, massage the mixture over your lips until they are completely covered. Leave the mixture on overnight, then rinse it off with water in the morning.[7]
    • Beetroot not only lightens your lips by tinting them, it also helps give them a subtle pink hue.
    • Repeat this process every night for 1 week or as long as needed to return your lips to their lighter, natural color.
  4. Image titled Lighten Dark Lips from Smoking Step 8
    4
    Apply pomegranate juice to help prevent your lips from getting darker. Mix 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of melted coconut oil with 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of pomegranate juice in a small bowl.[8] Rub the mixture across your lips for about 30 seconds before washing it off with water.
    • Pomegranates not only lighten your lips, they can also prevent the production of melanin, which can make your lips darker.
    • Apply pomegranate juice mixture to your lips once per day for a month or as needed to lighten your lips.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Medical Treatments

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    Try a laser treatment to lighten dark lips. Make an appointment with a dermatologist and ask them about a laser treatment. During this treatment, a doctor will use a laser to target and get rid of dark marks on your lips. Similar to using a laser for tattoo removal, it may take multiple sessions to fully eradicate any dark marks.[9]
    • Laser treatments are minimally invasive, and the recovery time usually only takes a few hours. However, they can be painful, and typically aren’t covered by insurance.
  2. Image titled Lighten Dark Lips from Smoking Step 10
    2
    Do an acid peel to lighten dark patches and remove fine lines. Acid peels, or chemical peels, use special chemicals to slough off the top layer of skin on your lips or face. Make an appointment with a licensed dermatologist, then ask them if an acid peel is right for you.[10]
    • Chemical peels typically take 7 to 14 days to heal, depending on how long they are left on. Your doctor will tell you what to do before and after to speed up the healing process.
    • Chemical peels may cause redness, irritation, and discomfort. Unfortunately, they are considered cosmetic procedures and are typically not covered by insurance.
  3. Image titled Lighten Dark Lips from Smoking Step 11
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    Get anti-wrinkle injections to target lip wrinkles. Anti-wrinkle injections, like Botox, tighten and freeze the muscles in the face to lessen the appearance of wrinkles. Make an appointment with a cosmetologist or a dermatologist, then ask about getting Botox injections around your lips.[11]
    • Botox is not permanent, and most people need injections once every 4 months or so.
  4. Image titled Lighten Dark Lips from Smoking Step 12
    4
    Try dermal fillers to plump your lips and get rid of wrinkles. Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that are injected underneath the skin with a needle. They can help plump up your lips and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. Visit a licensed cosmetologist or a dermatologist, then ask about dermal fillers.[12]
    • Dermal fillers are temporary, meaning they will break down and dissolve over time. Most people get dermal fillers every 3 to 6 months.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Preventing Dark Lips

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    Quit smoking to get rid of smoker’s lips and keep your lips healthy. While quitting can be very difficult and often takes a lot of willpower and support, it can be worth it if you want to keep your lips healthy and pink, as well as improve your overall health.[13]
    • If you currently smoke and want to quit, using a tobacco aid, seeking outside support, or deciding to go cold turkey may be able to help you quit for good.
  2. Image titled Lighten Dark Lips from Smoking Step 11
    2
    Stay hydrated to help limit the effects of smoking. Aim to drink about 8 glasses of water per day to keep your body (and your lips) hydrated.[14] When your lips get dehydrated, they’re more likely to get chapped, which makes them more susceptible to smoke. By staying hydrated, you’ll help prevent your lips from getting darker.
    • The amount of fluids you’ll need to drink to stay hydrated varies depending on a number of factors, including your health, how active you are, and where you live. In general though, men need about 15.5 cups (3,700 mL) of fluids, while women need about 11.5 cups (2,700 mL) of fluids to stay adequately hydrated.[15]
    • Fluids include water, other hydrating liquids, and food that has a high water content, such as berries and cucumbers.
  3. Image titled Lighten Dark Lips from Smoking Step 15
    3
    Protect your lips from the sun. Anytime you go outside, use a lip balm with SPF to shield your lips from harmful UV rays. Wear a hat as often as possible, and stay in the shade if you’re outdoors for long periods of time.[16]
    • UV rays will not only darken your lips, but can increase the risk of cancer, too.
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References

  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/MXbjPmH4MtA?t=176
  2. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a6392/life-changing-beauty-tricks-to-do-with-a-toothbrush/
  3. ↑ https://www.thehealthsite.com/beauty/tips-to-get-rid-of-smokers-dark-lips-naturally-139226/
  4. ↑ https://youtu.be/3p85Mj0uhtw?t=61
  5. ↑ https://www.vogue.com.au/beauty/skin/how-to-properly-exfoliate-your-lips/news-story/8fda5c0c756db858d2df52f4b59cc7e7
  6. ↑ https://www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com/uncategorized/lighten-your-dark-upper-lip-with-homemade-items/
  7. ↑ https://pioneerthinking.com/how-to-use-beetroot-for-pink-lips
  8. ↑ https://youtu.be/2pWZFVacRuE?t=66
  9. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/skin-conditions-lasers-treat
  1. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/younger-looking/chemical-peels-faqs
  2. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/dermal-filler-dos-and-donts-wrinkles-lips-and-more
  3. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/dermal-filler-dos-and-donts-wrinkles-lips-and-more
  4. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/how-to-quit-smoking.htm
  5. ↑ https://www.skincancer.org/blog/5-tips-for-your-lips/
  6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
  7. ↑ https://www.skincancer.org/blog/5-tips-for-your-lips/
  8. ↑ https://youtu.be/3p85Mj0uhtw?t=79

About This Article

Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD
Co-authored by:
Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
This article was co-authored by Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Dr. Margareth Pierre-Louis is a board certified Dermatologist and Dermatopathologist, Physician Entrepreneur, and the Founder of Twin Cities Dermatology Center and Equation Skin Care in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Twin Cities Dermatology Center is a comprehensive dermatology clinic treating patients of all ages through clinical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and telemedicine. Equation Skin Care was created to provide the best in evidence-based, natural skin care products. Dr. Pierre-Louis earned a BS in Biology and an MBA from Duke University, an MD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completed a residency in dermatology at the University of Minnesota, and completed a dermatopathology fellowship at Washington University in St Louis. Dr. Pierre-Louis is board certified in dermatology, cutaneous surgery, and dermatopathology by the American Boards of Dermatology and Pathology. This article has been viewed 202,990 times.
4 votes - 75%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: January 26, 2023
Views: 202,990
Categories: Smoking | Lip Care
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