When it comes to enjoying yourself in the summertime, most people are pretty serious about protecting their skin. Buying sun hats and stocking up on sunscreen is important, but what’s just as crucial is keeping your lips healthy.
Protecting our lips from the sun is simple, but it’s also one of the first things that people forget about. Here’s how you can keep your lips in good condition this summer, and why that’s important.
Why You Need to Protect Your Lips
Sometimes it feels like our lips are made of something a little different than the rest of our body, but the truth is that the skin around our mouths is essentially the same as everywhere else. The primary difference is that the skin is considerably thinner.
This means that not only is it possible for your lips to get sunburned, but they’re arguably more susceptible to them than the rest of you.
How to Keep Lips from Getting Sunburned
If you want to protect your lips from sunburn, the most important thing you can do is apply a lip balm with SPF protection. You can find these just about anywhere, but try and get one with an SPF 30, which is the strongest you can easily locate.
When you’re outdoors, carry this lip balm with you and apply it once every two hours to ensure that your lips stay smooth and comfortable.
What to Do if You Burn Your Lips
Sunburns are always pretty uncomfortable, and those on your lips even more so. If you’ve managed to pick one up, there are a few things you can do to make the healing process more pleasant.
For one, taking over-the-counter pain relievers as directed can make this situation much easier to deal with. If that isn’t enough, you can try dipping rags in cool water and dabbing it gently on your lips for relief. Finally, aloe vera can work wonders in treating sunburns of all kinds, including those on your lips.
About the Author
Dr. Jeff Lineberry received his dental degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has proudly served the needs of patients and families in Cocoa Beach for several years. Our practice offers a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment options. If you have any questions about the blog or you’re ready to schedule an appointment for yourself or a loved one, you can call us at (321) 783-7514 or reach out online for more information.