What is strange about the fordyce spots (at least the ones I had) is my skin was raw or missing lots of layers where I had them. However, if I applied something that burned (something like undiluted apple cider vinegar), my lips would not burn there. But, if I applied something that burned on newly raw areas where skin exfoliated on bottom lip, it burned. It's like it was numb where fordyce spots were. I think some people may still feel pain where they have fordyce spots, but I never did.