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There’s a lot of discussion about the skin on your face and the extensive areas covering your body. But what about the thin layers across the lips? The skin that covers your lips is sensitive, essential, and comes in contact with everything from other people, food, drinks, cosmetics, and the weather. It’s critical to provide the same level of care for your lips as you do for the rest of your body. If you have questions about caring for them or have a problem, such as cracking, itching, bleeding, or otherwise painful lips, you need to see a dermatologist in Southlake, TX.
Healthy Lips
Keeping every inch of your skin healthy is essential, including your lips. As mentioned, the skin here is much thinner than it is on the rest of your body, making it easier to damage. Cracked and peeling lips are painful, distracting, and unpleasant to look at and kiss. Additionally, it can make eating and drinking some things impossible. Healthy lips should be soft, pink, and plump.
If you’re concerned about cracking, painful lips, or need help caring for them, a dermatologist can help you find the right treatment and start with a care routine that can prevent problems from reoccurring.
Exfoliating Your Lips
Yes, you need to exfoliate your lips, too. The exfoliation process you complete once or twice weekly to remove dirt, debris, and dead cells from your body that can clog the pores also applies to your lips. Wait! Don’t start using your facial products on your lips. They’re much more sensitive, and even a gentle cream for your face can damage the skin on your lips.
In addition, what ends up on your lips will go into your mouth. Most brands don’t design these lotions and facial scrubs to use on the lips. Instead, carefully wipe away makeup, dirt, food particles, and dead cells with a clean, damp washcloth. You can also use a toothbrush that you only use on your lips. By using a small, circular motion, you can also increase circulation, improving their look and feel. If you over-exfoliate or develop problems, contact your dermatologist for immediate care.
Keeping Your Lips Moist
Your skin needs moisture to stay soft, crack-free, and overall, looking healthy. Like you apply moisturizer to your face, hands, and the rest of your body, your face needs the same care. But one way that won’t work is licking your lips. In fact, the first thing you’ll hear from your dermatologist when you contact them about dry, cracked, and painful lips is to stop licking them. Saliva isn’t a moisturizer and will cause them to dry faster. When you lick your lips, you’re coating them in enzymes that are too harsh for the soft and sensitive skin.
Apply Vitamin E Topically
You can boost your lip’s health factor by applying vitamin E. Rather than taking a pill, buy gel-filled capsules that you can open with a pin. Rub the oil directly onto your lips for the best results. Vitamin E boosts circulation and might help generate new skin cells to help keep the pink glow, soft feel, and plump look of healthy lips.
Don’t Skip The Sunscreen
Your lips are like all your skin—They can burn. You can purchase lip balms that offer excellent protection from the sun and seal in the moisture that keeps them pink and plump. Apply it several times a day throughout the year. The sun’s rays can still reach you through clouds and windows, no matter how cold the temperature is outside. Look for products that have an SPF of 15 or more for the most amount of protection. For more information about sunscreens that protect your face and lips without drying them out, speak with your Southlake dermatologist.
Use A Primer
Are you using a primer on your face and lips before applying your makeup in the morning? If not, you should be. A primer adds an extra layer of protection between your lips and the chemicals in the lipstick that can dry out and irritate your skin. Overall, by limiting their exposure to toxins, your lips and skin will feel and appear healthier. For more help with makeup products and skincare, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist in Southlake, TX.
Use Lipsticks With Natural Ingredients
Dermatologists get it. You can’t live with lathering on a layer of paint on your lips daily. By choosing lipsticks that have natural ingredients, you’ll reduce the irritants and have healthier and happier lips. If you use lip gloss often, also replace your standard brand with one that uses all-natural components. Common ingredients include shea butter, vitamin E, beeswax, and rosemary extract. These also have antioxidant properties that nourish your lips.
Wash Off Lipstick Before Bed
You should take your makeup off every night before you go to bed. It’s possible that you thought your lipstick was already gone after eating and drinking if you didn’t reapply throughout the day. However, there’s most likely still residue left behind. Quality lipsticks have much more staying power than in the past. Additionally, if you’re using a primer to put a moisture barrier between the skin and product, you must fully remove it. For more information, your dermatologist can often recommend a wash that’s safe for your face and lips, so you need not purchase multiple products.
To keep your skin healthy from lips to toes, don’t skip your annual dermatology exam. If you have problems with cracked, painful lips, or need help to maintain moisture levels, schedule an appointments with your dermatologist At Compassion Dermatology. They can help you find products that are safe and help keep your lips pink, soft, and perky.