6 Ways To Protect Your Lips From The Sun

The outer layer of the lips is thin, so it is not adequately protected from the sun’s UV rays. It contains little melanin, a natural pigment in the skin that provides protection from the sun. Therefore, the lips do not tan much, but still burn easily. Therefore, it is important to protect your lips from the sun. They should also be treated after being in the sun.

Keep reading, because now we’ll tell you how you can protect your lips from the sun.

Why protect your lips from the sun?

When the skin of the lips burns in the sun, long-term damage can result.

If the lips are unprotected and exposed to too much sun, their collagen may change. Therefore, it is likely that the lips will wrinkle and small grooves will form around the mouth. Injury can occur even if the effects of the sun are by no means significant at the time of exposure.

Wrinkles and premature aging are not the only disadvantages brought by the sun. Prolonged exposure to the sun can also cause the development of actinic lipitis. This is a precursor to cancer.

In this case, the person often complains of constant dryness and cracking in his lips. There are other signs of sun damage, such as cancer precursor ulcers and copious wrinkles. It is estimated that 3,500 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed on the lips each year.

Exposure to the sun is one of the biggest causes of cold sores. Thus, lip protection can prevent this common ailment that requires special care. So you should use sunscreen on your lips!

How to protect your lips from the sun?

Dermatologists recommend sunscreen products to prevent lip damage, and it’s important to put these on your lips at least half an hour before you go out.

As with body protection, lip sunscreens should be used frequently while in the sun.  We will now tell you what to do to ensure protection.

1. Choose waterproof products

If you are by the pool or on the beach, make sure the sunscreen is waterproof.  It should also provide protection during very long swimming sessions (80 minutes or longer).

The sunscreen leaves the lips the fastest, so it may be necessary to put it on very often.

2. Do not use products containing PABA

Sunscreens that do not contain this compound should be chosen, as PABA may cause allergies in some people.

Due to the potential for photodermatitis, the skin may burn more easily in areas where the PABA-containing product has been used. It can also cause a rash.

3. Check the protection factor

As with body sunscreens, lip protection products also have a protection factor (SPF). For effective protection, select an SPF of 15 or higher.

Make sure the product keeps your lips soft and moisturized; remember that dryness increases burning on the skin.

4. Do not use lip glosses to protect your lips

Have you ever thought that lip gloss or grease will probably give protection to your lips? Well, it actually only damages your lips in the sun. Glossy lip glosses or reds have this effect because they direct UV rays to the lip area.

Of course, if you use a lip balm that does not have any protection factor, the chances of getting skin cancer are higher than with a protective product.

5. Peel your lips

After exposure to the sun, it is advisable to peel the lips gently if they are dry and begin to flake. Here you can use sugar and olive oil as they help to remove the accumulated dead skin cells.

Keep in mind, however, that because the skin on your lips is sensitive, it should not be peeled roughly, and not treated harmfully anyway. Also, do not exfoliate your lips immediately after being in the sun, as they will be more sensitive than usual.

6. Use products that retain moisture

Get a lip balm with beeswax, petrolatum or paraffin. These ingredients are very gentle and also improve the appearance of your lips.

You get stored moisture on your skin for longer, so you don’t have to put on more lip balm all the time.

So when you enjoy the summer air, don’t forget your lips; they need protection where the skin is! The lips suffer from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays, so to prevent smaller or larger problems, use a lip balm with sunscreen every day.