Winter is almost here, bringing the driest season of the year. Well, what about the result? Lots of dry lips. Despite this, there is prevention and treatment, which can be seen while reading!
Summer is almost over and winter is just around the corner, and with it comes the terror for many: dry lips. In addition to the temperature, the wind, dry climate, dehydration and exposure to the sun. In certain cases, allergic reactions can also cause dry lips. This is because the use of lipsticks and toothpastes, or even eating certain foods and drinks may end up containing some harmful ingredients.
Fortunately, the treatment is simple and basically consists of daily moisturizing the lips. The famous cocoa butter is the most sought after by many. But there are other alternatives that work just as well or perhaps even better and more profoundly. Depending on the degree of dryness of the lips.
What causes dry lips
Biologically, lips do not have sebaceous glands, unlike other parts of the skin, such as the face, for example. Instead, they are covered only by mucous membrane. Therefore, they are much more sensitive to external agents. The lack of a protective layer of fat and the thin thickness of the mucosa make lips dry and cracked more easily.
And it is not advisable to lick your lips, it may be a relief at the time, but it is only momentary. This is because saliva contains digestive enzymes that attack the mucous membrane of the mouth. For this reason, this habit should be avoided, as it makes your lips even drier.
The reason lips become even drier during winter is that the season is marked by low humidity. And accompanied by wind and the cold itself – sometimes with sun – they further increase the sensitivity of the area.
What is also not often talked about is that the simple habit of breathing through your mouth can also be harmful. The passage of air through the mouth can dry out the lips even more.
Some vitamins are also essential for hydrating your lips. For example, the lack of vitamin B, present in chicken, avocado, bananas and beans, favors the appearance of dry lips. At the same time, excess vitamin A, present in butter, cheese, eggs and carrots, can cause chapped lips, another symptom is the skin becoming more orange.
It is also important to pay attention to the composition of lipsticks, those that contain lead are also harmful to the health of your lips.
How to treat dry lips
Experts recommend moisturizing your lips frequently, daily if possible. But, above all, you need to take extra care during the coldest times of the year. It is also necessary to pay attention to the use of medications that dry out the skin, such as isotretinoin, the famous Roaccutane, used to control acne. The sooner you start hydrating, the less chance of developing more intense changes.
Therefore, the products that promote more effective hydration are those rich in panthenol, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil and lipids that really take on the function of protecting the mucosa.
Therefore, below is the top five best products
1- Lip balm: it is a lip moisturizer that features substances such as moisturizing butter, antioxidant oil, vitamin E and even collagen. It also prevents and treats dryness from the first application.
2- Healing ointment: as the name says, they aim to heal. Therefore, it should only be used in case of dry and injured lips;
3- Gloss: It is a product that aims to give shine instead of hydrating. However, it forms a protective film that prevents water evaporation;
4- Vaseline: Can be used alone or with other moisturizing active ingredients. It is a product that generates a protective film and guarantees the skin’s natural recovery;
5- Cocoa butter: homemade lip balm that hydrates and creates a protective layer against low temperatures and dryness.
It’s important to moisturize dry lips not only during the day, but at night as well. So, use the products mentioned above before bed.
How to avoid dry lips
1. Bet on lipstick
Hydration can still be associated with the use of lipstick. Just pay attention to the composition, as today some brands also invest in hydration. So they try to create a barrier against external aggression and even prevent people from forming the habit of wetting their lips with saliva. However, it is better to opt for creamy and moisturizing versions, as matte ones do not help with hydration.
2. Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water is essential for our health and, of course, for hydrating our lips. Dehydration compromises the production of liquid that supports the skin and facilitates dryness.
3. Beware of sores in the corner of your mouth
Some people’s lips are so dry that they develop sores in the corners of their mouths. These are called angular cheilitis by doctors. Basically, it is an inflammation that may be related to the colonization of bacteria and fungi. Therefore, in these cases, there is no point in just moisturizing. Therefore, it is necessary to see a dermatologist to treat the condition correctly.
4. Don’t exfoliate
Despite always being recommended and popular on social media, the act of exfoliating your mouth is the main cause of worsening dry lips. According to experts, it tends to harm the barrier that protects the mucosa and expose the skin even more.
Evite a saliva
One of the biggest causes of dry lips is the tendency that some people have to try to hydrate their mouth with saliva. As previously mentioned, this substance, in itself, increases irritation in the mouth.
5. Don’t tear off lip skin
We understand that it is a great temptation, but try to avoid plucking the hairs that appear as a result of peeling as much as possible. Because they also act as a form of protection and their detachment harms the natural tissue exchange cycle. In addition, they can cause wounds.
Anyone who frequently experiences dry lips should see a dermatologist! This way, you can carefully analyze the causes. There is the possibility of some serious diseases, such as actinic cheilitis, a condition that can develop into skin cancer.
Did you like this article? Also read 7 most common causes of dry or dry skin.
Source: Tuasaude, activesaude, medicoresponde
Featured image: Transformese
Images: O Hoje, M de Mulher, Salon Line
