We all go to great lengths to protect our skin from the harmful UV radiation. However, most people are unaware that aside from the forehead, arms and shoulders, other parts of the body need protection from the sun, for instance, the lips.
Sunburned lips can be painful and a cause of anxiety. This is because of the swollen appearance, particularly the lower lip, the presence of blisters, and the tenderness of the skin to touch.
Naturally, the lips are made up of low pigmentation and thin skin tissue. These characteristics make them susceptible to sunburns, and sun blisters. Moreover, exposure to the sun increases the risk of developing skin cancer.
If you have sunburned lips, you will notice that they appear discolored. Other issues that can come up due to exposure to the sun include chapping, dark spots, sun blisters, and swelling. The lower lip is more vulnerable to sunburn than the upper one.
You need to remember that protection is better than cure. Most people forget to protect their lips using the right sunscreen. There are great sunscreen products such as:
If they are already sunburned, then the first treatment approach is to stay out of the sun. You can take over the counter prescriptions such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to reduce the discomfort.
Do not irritate the skin by trying to peel off the dry parts. Instead, you can apply Aloe Vera gel which will soothe sunburn symptoms. Also, take lots of water to minimize dehydration in the body due to exposure to the sun.
There are several home remedies that you can try out.
First, you can opt for a cold compress. This remedy entails taking a soft cloth and rinsing it in cold water. Place the cold cloth on your lips to ease the inflammation. Once the cloth becomes warm, remove it, soak it in the water, rinse out the excess water and apply it again. Repeat the process about 2-3 times after which you can apply a moisturizer.
You can opt for other alternatives aside from water. For instance, cold potato slices, lettuce, or chamomile tea bags. Place any of these substances in cold water before placing applying it. Also, a compress using milk can help minimize the pain as the milk proteins offer a protective shield over the exposed nerves on the lip.
Using moisturizers can ease the inflammation and help heal the lips. You can opt for moisturizers such as Aquaphor, Almond oil, coconut oil, shea butter or vitamin E containing moisturizers.
Using sheet masks is another popular approach for treating sunburnt lips. Use cloth or paper sheet masks that contain natural oils such as aloe vera or Jojoba oil. Remember to avoid sun exposure as they are healing. Opt for indoor activities or use a sunscreen for lips if you need to be in the sun.
You can opt for ointments such as Aquaphor ointment or hydrocortisone 1% ointment. Although hydrocortisone is a product with its fair share of controversy in the medical sphere, some doctors recommend applying the ointment on the outer edges of the lips. However, other doctors would advise that you avoid it as ingesting the ointment is risky. If you opt to use it then avoid licking them.
You can use Manuka honey to treat sunburnt lips. Honey contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the swelling. Simply apply the honey. After 10 minutes, rinse off the honey and apply a moisturizer. Repeat the procedure several times a day, every day, until they heal.
Using a petroleum jelly containing vitamin E is advisable as it will provide you with maximum moisture while at the same time soothing the lips.
It takes time to heal, about three weeks for severely or badly sunburnt lips to about seven to ten days moderate to milder cases. If they have not healed within ten days, then it is advisable to consult a physician.
The healing time depends on the degree of damage. Mild to moderate cases can heal within seven days. However, if they are severely swollen or if the swelling involves not only your lips but also your tongue, then you should consult a physician. Sometimes. The swelling of the lips may be due to an allergic reaction to the sun. The allergy can result in difficulty in eating, drinking or talking.
