How to treat chapped lips?
Lip skin is delicate and prone to cracking in cold, dry weather, which can easily lead to a split lip. A split lip can be annoying and painful, and it may bleed or sting.
Any of the following symptoms on or around the lips are indicative of dryness:
peeling
swelling
cracks
bleeding
If you're tired of suffering from dry, chapped lips, you're not alone. It's a common problem that affects people of all ages and can be caused by a variety of factors, from cold weather to dehydration.
Why do lips splitting?
Lips do not contain sebaceous glands like other parts of the skin. This means that the lips are more prone to dryness. Lack of moisture can exacerbate the problem, whether it's the weather or lack of self-care.
It is also known that low air humidity in the winter season causes lip chapping. However, not just in winter you need to pay attention to dry lips — frequent sun exposure during the summer can also worsen your condition.
Another common cause of chapped lips is the habit of licking them. Saliva from the tongue can further dehydrate the lips, causing even more dryness. Like certain medications, it can increase your risk of developing chapped lips (such as retinoids).
In addition to external factors, the cause of dry lips can be a deficiency of vitamins and microelements, especially the lack of vitamins A, E and group B, iron and polyunsaturated fatty acids. A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, vegetable oils and seafood helps to fill the deficiency. To determine which vitamins are missing, you can use a blood test.
How to treat and prevent chapped lips?
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to fight dry lips and keep them healthy and moisturized. First and foremost, make sure you're staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. This will help keep your skin - including your lips - from getting too dry.
In addition to staying hydrated, you can also apply a lip balm or ointment regularly to keep your lips moisturized. Look for products that contain nourishing ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, or coconut oil. If the culprit of dry lips is the sun, apply a lip balm with a protection factor of at least 15 spf. The balm helps moisturize the lips, while the sunscreen minimizes further drying effects.
If your lips are already chapped and painful, it's important to avoid picking at them or licking them, as this can make the problem worse. Instead, gently exfoliate them with a soft-bristled toothbrush or a lip scrub to help remove any dry, flaky skin.
If the cause of dry lips is a vitamin deficiency, then it is better to choose food with a nutritionist. But most often, dry lips are caused by a lack of vitamin B7, also known as biotin. Make sure your diet includes the following foods that contain more of this vitamin:
Chicken liver - 170 mcg
Egg yolk - 56 mcg
Beef/Pig Liver - 40mcg
Oatmeal, peas - 15-20 mcg
Rice, wheat porridge - 10-12 mcg
Cottage cheese, soft cheese, salmon - 5.1-8.4 mcg
Due to heat treatment, the amount of biotin may decrease, so choose foods that have undergone minimal heat treatment.
How to choose the right lip balm?
To heal chapped lips, choose a lip balm that contains the following ingredients:
Hypoallergenic.
Ointments (vaseline, glycerin).
Oils (mineral oil or castor oil).
Hydration (ceramide, dimethicone).
Sun protection (titanium oxide, zinc oxide).
How often should you use lip balm to chapped lips?
Lip balms can be applied as needed throughout the day when you notice that your lips are dry. Using the ointment at night will keep your lips moisturized throughout the night. Always reapply after eating and drinking. When outdoors, reapply lip balm or ointment with an SPF of 30 or higher about every two hours.
Moisturizing and applying a mild lip balm should be part of your daily routine to keep your lips healthy, protected and hydrated.
However, if the lips dry and crack constantly, and cosmetic care does not work, you should consult a doctor and pass the appropriate tests to further study of the problem and eliminate it.
Ultimately, the key to fighting dry lips is to be proactive about your lip care. By staying hydrated, using moisturizing products, and avoiding harmful habits like picking or licking your lips, you can keep your lips healthy and pain-free all year round.