3 Ways to Protect Your Lips from Sun Damage

22 Nov, 2023

When thinking about protecting ourselves from the sun, we usually think about the face, arms, and legs while habitually turning a blind eye or not considering that one area: lips. Indeed, the skin of our lips is actually much more sensitive than the parts of our body that are regularly exposed to sun damage. Protection for lips in summer and winter seasons is very important. Today, we'll take a look at why lip care is so important and such great ways on How To Protect Your Lips from Sun Damage

TABLE OF CONTENT

  1. Understanding Sun Damage to Your Lips
  2. How to protect your lips:
    1. Selecting the Right Sun Protection for Your Lips
    2. Daily Lip Care Routine
    3. Hydration and Nutrition for Lips Health
    4. Lip Sunscreen
    5. Lipstick with Sunscreen
    6. Lip Care for Sun-Damaged Lips
    7. When to Seek Professional Help
  3. FAQ: How to Protect Lips from the Sun

Understanding Sun Damage to Your Lips

The skin on our lips is thin and has less melanin, the pigment that helps to protect skin from ultraviolet radiation. This makes them especially prone to sun damage like sunburn, dryness, and long-term effects like premature aging and even skin cancer. Just like the rest of your skin, your lips are exposed to the harmful UV rays of the sun. Sun damage on lips can worsen if not attended properly.

How to protect your lips:

1. Selecting the Right Sun Protection for Your Lips

You should select lip balms or lipsticks with SPF. When shopping, buy a lip protectant with broad-spectrum protection from both types of rays. Also, go for formulations with water-resistant properties, particularly if you will be engaged in swimming or any other form of outdoor activity while wearing it. 
Dr.Rashel's has some of the best lip balms for sun protection that keep your lips moisturized for up to 18 hours. Made with 100% natural extracts, these balms are your pip protectors from sun damage. The range includes lip balm variants like Vitamin C, strawberry, cherry etc, with SPF 15

Check Dr.Rashel lip Balm

2. Daily Lip Care Routine

Applying Lip balm for sun damage protection is very important. Apply lip balm with 15 SPF minutes before bracing out and then reapply it every two hours or sooner if you eat, drink, or swim. Remember - even on cloudy days, UV rays can seep through into your skin and cause damage. Lip balm UV protection level can change as per the intensity of the sunrays. Lip balm for sun protection in India is important, especially in coastal areas where sun strikes the most.

3. Hydration and Nutritional for Lips Health

Properly hydrated lips make lips that are less prone to sun damage. Consider using a humidifier at home, particularly during drier seasons or in arid climates. Following a diet high in vitamins can also boost skin health, particularly Vitamins E and C, which offer antioxidants that shield skin from sun damage.

4. Lip Sunscreen

If you will be exposed to the sun for a long period of time or if your skin is really sensitive, you can choose lip sunscreens with higher levels of sun protection starting at SPF 30. Pick a sunscreen made with natural ingredients that can protect and nourish your lips.

5. Lipstick with sunscreen

Many brands are providing lipsticks with SPF 15 and more. It's a convenient solution for women to keep their lips protected throughout the day.

6. Lip Care for Sun-Damaged Lips

If your lips are already sunburned, tread gently. Stick to ingredients that heal and soothe, such as aloe vera or lip balms meant for healing purposes. The temptation to peel off the flaky skin should be curtailed and instead, gentle exfoliation should be done using a soft toothbrush or lip scrub. Sun damage on lips can make tasks like eating or drinking painful in severe cases, so it's best to Lip protectors from sun damage.

When to Seek Professional Help

Dryness, continual cracking, or changes in the color and texture of your lips signify severe damage from the sun. In case of such occurrences, it is good to visit a dermatologist who will offer you specific treatment as well as recommendations concerning the nutrition of lip skin.

Frequently Asked Question

Do lips need protection from the sun?

Indeed! Your lips are sun-sensitive and can get damaged easily because the skin on them is thin with less melanin. 

How do healthy lips impact my oral care?

Healthy lips help to keep the mouth in overall good health. They also aid in controlling infection, balance moisture, and make the mouth less susceptible to cracking or soreness.

What are the signs of sunburned lips?

Dryness, swelling, and tenderness are some of the symptoms which you might notice on your sunburned lips. The color of the lips can also appear redder than normal and even blister in extreme cases. 

Can I use sunscreen on my lips?

Yes, but this would be good in practice for using lip products formulated with SPF. Normal sunscreens might not suit the sensitive skin of your lips and cause irritation. So, lip balms with SPF are a safer option and better one.