Now that it’s summer, you’re probably looking to beat the heat. You could suffer from pretty nasty sunburns otherwise. However, don’t just look after the traditional spots – your face, neck, torso, limbs, etc. It’s vital that you also protect your lips from the sun. They can get sunburnt, too, and even develop other sun-related issues. To learn the details, let your Trophy Club dentist explain. Here’s a primer on why lips need sun protection, including tips on preventing and treating sunburnt lips.

WHY DO LIPS NEED SUN PROTECTION?

Most don’t think about it, but your lips are as vulnerable to the sun as your skin is. They’ll be harmed if they absorb too many ultraviolet rays.

For starters, they’ll almost certainly get sunburnt without adequate protection. That means they’ll be redder than normal, tender, and swollen. Your lips could even get small, white, fluid-filled blisters. Such symptoms would then interfere with your oral hygiene routine, putting your smile’s health at risk.

Even worse, the UVB rays could cause skin cancer on your lips. This condition would seriously threaten your body, including your oral health.

HOW TO PREVENT SUNBURNT LIPS

Thankfully, it’s not that hard to protect your lips from sunburns. You just need to practice the right habits. For instance, consider using the following tips:

Apply Sun-Blocking Lip Balm – Sun-protecting lip balms exist, with some even reaching SPF 30. Apply a brand about once every hour or after eating.

Keep Your Lips Out of Sunlight – Don’t let your lips receive direct, intense sunlight. In particular, keep them out of the sun during the peak hours of 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on daylight savings time.

Wear Protective Gear – If you are outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat during the day. This item will give your lips some much-needed shade.

TIPS ON TREATING SUNBURNT LIPS

Even if you’re careful, the sun may still burn your lips. You’ll want to treat them well should that happen.

Luckily, there are several treatment options. One approach is to dip a washcloth in ice water and rest it on your lips. On the other hand, you could apply 100% aloe vera or another moisturizer to help the healing. Even over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines can ease the pain.

With proper care, lips heal from sun damage after three to five days. You should see a local doctor if they don’t get better in that time.

Ultimately, you’ll benefit if you protect your lips from the sun. That said, use the tips above so your summertime is full of fun!

ABOUT THE PRACTICE

Genuine Smiles of Trophy Club is based in Trophy Club, TX. Led by Dr. Alexander Wenner, our practice gives each patient the best dental care possible. To that end, we personalize our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services to your unique smile. Our office also offers emergency dental procedures like root canal therapy and tooth extractions. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (817)-646-6544.