First aid for chapped lips in dry season

Daniel Glass, a consultant dermatologist in the UK, said that chapped lips are very common in winter, due to exposure to cold air outside and dry, hot air inside.

'Keratin, the substance that makes up the top layer of skin, loses its flexibility, causing the lips to become sore, cracked and scaly. Also, many people get chapped lips from licking their lips. Repeated licking can strip away the protective oily layer on the surface of the lips, leading to chapped lips. Digestive enzymes in saliva can also irritate the lips,' he says.

Use lip balm regularly

If you want a lip balm that has emollient properties, smooths the skin's surface and acts as a humectant, locking in moisture, you should choose one that contains lanolin. You should also apply lip balm before going to bed, many people with colds often breathe through their mouths while sleeping, which also causes dry lips.

Why should you protect your lips from the sun?

Experts stress that sun damage can happen at any time, even on cloudy, rainy days. In the winter, you may experience dry, chapped lips from prolonged exposure to UV rays, which can also put you at risk for actinic keratosis, a precancerous condition that forms on the face, lips, ears, and scalp.

Unlike melanoma, which is often characterized by moles, lumps, and irregular markings, actinic keratosis appears as small, dry, scaly patches of skin. These patches are often red, shiny, dark tan, white, or pink in color and can be flat or raised.

To help protect your lips, experts recommend applying a lip balm with an SPF of at least 30 every day before applying makeup. If you don't have an SPF 30 lip balm, you can apply a little facial sunscreen to your lips.

If you don't see any improvement with your lips after following these methods, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to rule out the cause of your chapped lips.

Be mindful of the products you use.

Lip balms can sometimes contain ingredients like camphor and menthol, which give them a pleasant, stimulating feel when applied. But they can be irritating, leading to dry, chapped lips, so experts don’t recommend them. And if you use an active-based skin care product, like retinol, be sure to protect your lips with a lip balm before applying your night cream to avoid flaking and irritation.

Exfoliate and moisturize lips

Don’t confuse a cold sore outbreak with chapped lips. And don’t ignore the affected area. Lips are a common site for skin cancer, so ask your dermatologist for a referral to a reputable facility for further evaluation. If your lips are dry and chapped, they can be effectively treated with gentle exfoliation to ensure you remove dry, flaky skin from the surface. You should then moisturize regularly with a good quality lip balm or moisturizer.

According to Health and Life