Bright summer sunshine feels good, but it can also damage our skin, including the skin on our lips. Wind and moisture, or lack of moisture, harm our skin. Without certain precautions, you may end up with dry, cracked, sore lips, which are neither attractive nor kissable.
In today’s blog, your dentist in Lombard, IL, Dr. Julie Glud, shares important tips to keep your lips supple, soft, and hydrated this summer. If you need a family or cosmetic dentist in Lombard, contact us today to schedule an appointment. We are accepting new patients and would sincerely enjoy helping you establish and enjoy excellent oral health for life, so call us at 630-629-5700.
Lip Tip #1: Hydrate!
This tip will help your lips, as well as the largest organ in your body: your skin. In the summer and also in high altitudes, dehydration happens quickly. Our bodies need water to function properly, and the sun depletes moisture in the skin. To keep your lips moist, consume eight glasses of water per day, at a minimum. If your day will be spent enjoying the outdoors, keep a steady supply of water on hand and sip it throughout the day.
Lip Tip #2: Exfoliate!
Have you ever purposely exfoliated your lips? Like the rest of your skin, lips shed dead skin cells. Exfoliating removes the old cells to reveal fresh, healthy skin. You can purchase lip scrubs on Amazon, but you can also make your own delicious and effective lip scrub at home. Use sugar as the abrasive and honey as the medium. Mix these two ingredients and rub your lips gently but thoroughly, using a circular motion before rinsing with water. For best results, exfoliate a few times each week.
Lip Tip #3: Stop Licking Your Lips
Because saliva dries quickly, licking your lips repeatedly accelerates dehydration. Also, picking or biting your lips can lead to peeling skin and cheilitis, also called lip licker’s dermatitis. Wearing lip balm will help your lips remain moisturized so that you may not have the impulse to lick your lips compulsively.
Lip Tip #4: Apply Lip Balm with SPF
Speaking of lip balm, for all seasons select lip balm with an SPF rating of 15, or for more protection, 30 SPF. Some products come with 50 or higher SPF. What is SPF? It stands for sun protection factor, which measures protection from UV rays and solar energy that causes sunburn. You should reapply lip balm every few hours while in the sunshine or high altitudes.
Lip Tip #5: Select Quality Products for Your Lips
Some lip products are better than others. For quality lip protection, choose balms that include nourishing elements, like coconut oil, vitamin E, or shea butter. Don’t wear lip balm that includes alcohol, because it dries out skin.
Bonus Tip: Additional Lip Protection in Summertime
If you’re spending time outdoors, even on overcast days, wear a wide-brimmed hat to help reduce your lips’ exposure to sun rays. Wearing a brimmed hat will also reduce your risk for sun cancer of the face and lips.
Call Dr. Glud, Your Health-Focused Family Dentist in Lombard
When Dr. Glud conducts an oral health exam, or checkup, she inspects skin on the lips, head, face, and neck. This assessment helps her find suspicious lesions that could indicate cancer. While evaluating oral health, she also gets to know patients by asking questions about their health, lifestyle, dental history, and expectations.
Dr. Glud is a family dentist in Lombard, but she also offers cosmetic dental treatments like teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and other smile-enhancing procedures. Your lips frame your smile! So take great care of them and visit Dr. Glud every six months for your semi-annual checkup and cleaning. Call us today at 630-629-5700.
