Say Goodbye to Sunburned Lips with These Simple Prevention and Treatment Techniques
Attention all beach bums, sun worshipers and outdoor enthusiasts! Summer is here and it's time to soak up the sun. But before you do that, let's talk about an important part of your summer beauty routine that is often overlooked – your lips! Yes, you heard that right. Lips are often the unsung heroes of our beauty routine and are often forgotten when it comes to sun protection. When we cover our face and body with sunscreen, our lips are left unprotected against the sun's harmful UV rays. But fear not as we are here with some tips on how to prevent and treat sunburned lips.
How to prevent sunburned lips?
Preventing sunburned lips is the best way to avoid the discomfort and pain associated with this condition. Here are some tips to help prevent sunburned lips:
1. Use a lip balm with SPF
Just like you take care of your skin before going out in the sun, your lips need SPF care too. Look for a lip balm that has at least 15 SPF and apply it liberally to your lips before going out. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) found that lip balms with SPF significantly increased lip protection from UV radiation compared to non-SPF lip balms. Apply this lip balm every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
2. Wear a hat
A wide-brimmed hat can help shade your face and protect your lips from the sun. According to studies, wearing a hat with a brim of at least 3 inches can significantly reduce the amount of UV radiation reaching the face and lips.
3. Find shade
If possible, stay in the shade during the hottest parts of the day, usually 10am to 4pm. Because this is the best solution to prevent any kind of sun damage.
4. Avoid tanning beds
Tanning beds also emit UV rays, which can damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer. According to the AAD tanning bed study, the risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma, increases significantly.
How to treat sunburned lips?
If you end up with sunburned lips, there are a few things you can do to relieve discomfort and promote healing. Here are some tips for treating sunburned lips:
1. Apply a cold compress
Applying a cool compress to your lips can help reduce inflammation, redness, and pain. A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that applying cold compresses can help relieve pain and inflammation associated with a variety of oral lesions, including sunburned lips.
2. Drink plenty of fluids
Staying hydrated is important for maintaining healthy skin and lips. Drinking plenty of fluids can help reduce dryness and inflammation and promote healing. Anyway, staying hydrated during the harsh summer months is advisable but your lips need that hydration too.
3. Avoid picking at your lips
Picking at your lip can slow the healing process and increase your risk of infection. Constant picking and biting can also lead to a condition called cheilitis, which is an inflammation of the lips. The AAD study found that lip picking can lead to a cycle of inflammation and damage that can be difficult to break.