During the summer months, there are so many opportunities to get outside and enjoy yourself, whether it’s at the swimming pool or a family barbecue in the backyard. While you may be in the habit of wearing sunblock to protect your skin, did you know that your lips can also get burned? If they do, it could negatively affect your oral health as well as your general well-being. Keep reading to learn how you can keep your lips safe this season!
Why Are Sunburned Lips Such a Big Deal?
You might be asking yourself why it’s so important to shield your lips from the sun. You have heard time and again that you need to slather up with sunscreen when you’re outside to avoid developing skin cancer. Why are you now learning that you should also be cautious about your lips?
The truth is that your lips are more susceptible to sunburn than the rest of your skin because they have fewer layers of skin. Not only that, but they also have a lower concentration of melanin which absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Thinner skin and less natural defense mean that the sun can more easily penetrate and damage them.
Of course, sunburned lips can also feel quite painful and inconvenient! When you attempt your usual brushing and flossing, you may find yourself in some serious discomfort. Naturally, you’ll want to minimize or avoid the movements that cause soreness, which spells bad news for your oral health! Taking a break or slacking off from your healthy habits can eventually lead to tooth decay, gum disease, or significant dental issues. Plus, just like your skin, sunburned lips increase your risk of developing oral cancer!
How Can I Keep Them Safe?
You can guard your delicate lips the same way you do with the rest of your skin. Do it with sunscreen! Many lip balms contain an SPF in addition to moisturizers so that you can keep them soft and healthy all at the same time. Whether you’re using SPF 15 or SPF 30 balm, you’ll be filtering out over 90% of unsafe UV rays. The only drawback is that lip balm does wear off fairly quickly, so keep it close by to reapply every hour or so.
If you don’t have any lip balm at hand, you can wear a brimmed hat or other covering to defend yourself against UV rays.
How Can I Treat Sunburned Lips?
Are your lips swollen, tender, red, or have small, fluid-filled blisters? These are all signs they might already be sunburned, but there are a few things you can do for relief. Some easy, at-home treatment methods include:
- Pressing a cold compress gently to your lips.
- Applying 100% aloe vera to relieve any burning sensation.
- Taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, like ibuprofen.
- Moisturizing with lip balm.
By taking a few easy precautions to shield yourself from the sun this summer, you’ll be protecting your lips so that you can enjoy a healthy smile all season long!
About the Author
Dr. Jennifer Pham at Downtown Family Dental of Leesburg has over a decade of experience providing the best patient care. She earned a Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences at Barry University in 2006, and completed her Doctorate of Dental Medicine at Temple University School of Dentistry in 2010. If you have oral health concerns that you would like to address, you are welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (703) 666-3867.