Understanding Chapped Lips
Chapped lips are a common problem that most people have experienced at some point. They occur when the skin on your lips becomes very dry, eventually cracking and peeling. Chapped lips can be uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. In severe cases, they may even bleed when opened too wide. So why do chapped lips happen in the first place and what can you do to get relief?
Causes of Chapped Lips
There are several potential causes of chapped lips:
- Exposure to cold, dry air - Wind, cold temperatures, and dry air can quickly remove moisture from your lips leaving them parched.
- Dehydration - Not drinking enough fluids can lead to overall dryness, including on your lips.
- Vitamin deficiency - Being deficient in certain vitamins, like B12, can contribute to excessively dry lips.
- Licking your lips - While it may seem counterintuitive, licking your lips can make chapped lips worse by removing protective oils.
- Sun exposure - Lips have very little melanin, making them vulnerable to sun damage, which can leave them cracked and sore.
- Certain medical conditions - Diseases like eczema or psoriasis can cause chapped lips when they affect the skin on and around your lips.
- Smoking - Chemicals from cigarettes can dry out skin and degrade collagen, leading to irritation and peeling of lips.
- Some medications - Certain prescription medicines like retinoids, blood pressure medications, or antihistamines may have side effects like dry mouth and lips.
Avoiding Triggers for Chapped Lips
Because there are so many potential causes of chapped lips, avoidance is key for both treatment and prevention:
- Use lip balm regularly to shield your lips from harsh environments.
- Drink plenty of water and use a humidifier to counteract dry air.
- Take breaks from the cold when possible and cover your mouth with a scarf outside.
- Apply SPF lip products before going out in the sun.
- Avoid licking, picking, or biting your lips, which can make things worse.
- Be aware if any medicines youre taking have dry mouth or lips as a side effect.
Treating Chapped Lips
If you already have chapped lips or feel them cracking, youll need to treat them in addition to avoiding triggers. Getting chapped lips healed requires both exfoliation and deep hydration. Here are tips for treating them quickly:
Gently Exfoliate
The first step is lightly exfoliating your lips to remove any dead, flaky skin so products can penetrate better. Be very gentle and do not scrub hard on your sensitive lip tissue. An old, damp toothbrush or a soft washcloth rubbed lightly over lips works well for sloughing off dead skin. You can also use lip scrubs with gentle exfoliants like sugar or soft jojoba beads, massaging them in small circles before rinsing off.
Apply a Hydrating Lip Balm or Ointment
After exfoliating, its vital to hydrate your lips deeply and seal in moisture. The best formulas for combatting chapped, peeling lips contain occlusive ingredients like petroleum jelly or shea butter. These oils and waxes create a protective barrier, preventing moisture loss while also adding hydration. Look for lip products listing ingredients like:
- Petroleum jelly
- Beeswax or soy wax
- Shea or cocoa butter
- Sweet almond oil
- Glycerin
- Dimethicone
- Lanolin
Thick balms and ointments tend to work better than waxy sticks or lightweight oil formulas. Apply them generously after exfoliating and allow them to really sink in overnight whenever possible.
Use a Humidifier
Running a humidifier at home and at work can make a big difference for chronically dry, chapped lips. Having moisture circulating in the air prevents moisture from evaporating rapidly from your lips between applications of balm or ointment. This helps your lips stay softer longer after treating them.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water is key for overall skin health and preventing excessive dryness. Dehydration can definitely contribute to chapped lips, so be diligent about getting eight glasses of fluids daily. Herbal tea, milk, or fruit infused water can also help you meet your hydration needs.
Take Supplements
In some cases, chapped lips may result from a nutritional deficiency in iron, B vitamins, zinc, or fatty acids. Taking a daily multivitamin or targeted supplement may help improve them. Be sure to check with your doctor first before starting any new vitamins or mineral supplements.
Preventing Chapped Lips
Once youve gotten your lips back to a healthy state, consistency is imperative for keeping chapped lips at bay. Making lip care and moisture a regular habit will help prevent recurrence of sore, cracked lips. Here are some great tips for prevention:
Use Lip Balm Consistently
Get into the habit of applying a hydrating lip balm any time you head outside or feel your lips getting dry. Keep tubes in your purse, car, jacket pockets, nightstand, office desk, etc. for easy access throughout the day. Reapply your balm every couple of hours for optimal results.
Choose Nourishing Formulas
Not all lip balms are created equal when it comes to combating dryness. Always check that your product contains occlusive ingredients like shea butter, petroleum jelly, or beeswax. Fruity flavors and pretty packaging dont necessarily mean a formula will actually hydrate and protect your lips properly. Read ingredients lists closely.
Exfoliate Regularly
About once a week, gently slough off any dead skin cells on your lips with a soft washcloth or moistened toothbrush. Follow up immediately with a thick, nourishing lip balm or mask treatment. Getting rid of dry flakes allows deeper hydration from your lip care regimen.
Use Overnight Treatments
Give your lips some extra TLC while you sleep by applying an ultra-hydrating overnight mask or lip sleeping mask product before bedtime. These provide intense moisture therapy when lips sit untouched for hours, allowing the formulas to fully soak in.
Protect Lips from Sun and Wind
Shield your lips from sun damage by applying a lip balm or lipstick containing SPF of at least 15 every day before going outside. Also cover your lips with a scarf when faced with cold, windy weather. The soft fabric traps heat while blocking drying winds.
With some adjustments to your daily routine and targeted lip care strategies, you can conquer chapped lips for good. A little prevention goes a long way in maintaining their healthy, supple texture all year long!
FAQs
What happens to lips when they get chapped?
Chapped lips have become extremely dry, to the point of cracking, peeling, and bleeding. The skin on the lips has lost critical moisture and oils intended to keep them soft and supple.
Are extremely chapped lips dangerous?
While painful and irritating, chapped lips themselves are not dangerous. However, they can increase your risk of infection since cracks in the skin create an opening for bacteria and viruses to enter. Keeping lips well moisturized helps protect against infection developing in damaged lip tissue.
What is an effective overnight lip treatment?
Lip sleeping masks and concentrated lip repair balms make excellent overnight treatments. Formulas containing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and cocoa butter provide intense, long-lasting hydration while you sleep and can significantly repair chapped lips.
Should I peel dry, flaky skin off my lips?
Gently exfoliating lips with a damp washcloth or dry toothbrush can remove dead skin so hydrating products absorb better. However, you should never pull, pick, or bite excess skin on your lips. This leads to further damage and irritation.
How long does it take to heal chapped lips?
With consistent hydration and protection from irritants, severely chapped or cracked lips typically heal within a week. Minor cases may only take a couple days of intensive lip balm application to nurish lips back to a supple state. Sticking with preventive care then keeps chapping at bay.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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