Sun damage can make you look highly unattractive. They not only hurt a lot but also increase the risk of developing skin cancer. And when you get sunburned lips, it takes a severe toll on your self-confidence. Yes, a pair of sunburned lips can also cause extreme embarrassment, like sunburned skin. This post will discuss how to treat them quickly at home with simple natural remedies and how further damage can be prevented.
What Are Sunburned Lips?
We apply sunscreen religiously to the exposed areas of the skin before stepping out of the house but somehow forget all about the lips. You realize your lips are too dry and chapped only after you return from an outing in the sun. You also find that they have turned red and even developed blisters. Sometimes, the issue is so severe that it becomes difficult to open the lips without cringing in pain. If you have also experienced the same, your lips got sunburned too. (1)
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Why Do Lips Burn Under The Sun?
Our lips, adorned with a thin layer of skin and a scarcity of protective melanin, are especially susceptible to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The absence of melanin, the pigment shielding skin from sun damage, leaves the lips vulnerable, and their continual exposure to the sun intensifies this risk. Sadly, our lip care routine often neglects adequate sun protection, leading to heightened susceptibility and sunburn. Recognizing the critical need for shielding this delicate organ from the sun’s harsh elements becomes paramount in maintaining its health and preventing adverse effects associated with prolonged sun exposure. Prioritizing lip protection is essential for overall skin well-being.
Natural Ways To Treat Sunburned Lips
A pair of sunburned lips do not look appealing at all. However, you do not need to worry about the damages already done. We tell you how to treat and heal sunburned lips with simple and inexpensive remedies: (2)
1. Fluid
Your body loses much water when you are out in the sun. Being the most delicate part of the body and exposed directly to the sun’s rays, your lips mirror it the most. Replenish it by drinking lots of fluids – plain water, coconut water, fresh juices, etc. to keep yourself hydrated. This will automatically reflect on your skin. And when your hydration level is optimum, your lips will turn soft and supple.
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2. Green Tea
Brew a cup of green tea, let it cool down, and refrigerate it for about half an hour. Now, take a soft, clean cloth or a cotton ball and soak that in the chilled green tea. All you need to do is apply it to your sunburned lips as a soothing and healing pack. As green tea is loaded with potent antioxidants, It refreshes sunburned lips and reduces the inflammation caused by the burns.
3. Aloe Vera
The cooling and soothing aloe vera gel also comes with excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It helps reduce the redness and blisters that develop in even the most delicate parts of the skin. Apply some gel from a fresh aloe vera leaf to your lips when you return from the sun. It will prevent any adverse reaction from occurring.
4. Ice Magic
Take an ice cube and cover it with a piece of clean cloth. Then, use it as a cold compress over your sunburned lips. The compress will help soothe the inflammation as well as reduce the irritation. However, if you have blisters, it will be best to avoid the compress to prevent stinging pain.
5. Cold Milk
Cold milk is good at healing all inflammation – in your stomach or skin. Dip a clean washcloth into some cold milk and apply it on your lips as a compress. Hold the compress until it dries out. This will not just soothe your burnt lips but also add a lot of moisture to it.
6. Potato Juice
The starch in fresh potato juice helps heal blisters and cracks in the lips caused by dryness and sun damage. Grate half a potato and spread it directly on your lips. Or, you can extract the juice from the grated potato and apply it all over your lips with the help of a cotton ball. Allow it to dry, and then wash it off. The juice will heal the lips and make them supple once again.
7. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E helps in healing chapped and damaged lips faster. You can either ingest the oil internally as a capsule or break open the capsule and apply the oil directly to your lips. Leave it on for half an hour, and wash off gently with water. This will nourish the sunburned lips and help them become softer and lighter.
Preventive Ways To Avoid Sunburned Lips
Prevention is always much better than cure. If you have already healed your sunburned lips and want to protect them from further damage, you must take some preventive measures. We have listed them below:
8. Keep Your SPF Lip Balm Handy
Consider the sunburn as a lesson learned, and always keep a lip balm with SPF (sun protection factor) in your bag. It will help if you use one with citrus extracts since vitamin C can heal your lips even faster. So, never forget to slap the SPF lip balm on your lips whenever you go out.
9. Prevent Infection With Ointments
If you have started developing prominent blisters on your lips, do not wait. Start applying an antibiotic ointment with zinc like ‘Bacitracin’ before they cause severe damage to your lips and turn into serious infections. This will prevent any infection and also help in healing the blisters faster.
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10. Do Not Use Petroleum Jelly
Many apply petroleum jelly to inflamed lips as it is one of the most common lip products. But petroleum jelly traps heat and can aggravate the inflammation. So, avoid it and use a cooling gel or shea butter instead.
With these remedies and preventive measures, the sunburn should heal in a couple of days, and your lips should return to their normal state without risk of further damage. However, if the blisters are severe and do not respond to the home remedies, it is best to visit your doctor and get medical attention.
Also Read – Best Lip Balms In India For Super Soft Lips
Summary
Sun damage isn’t just a beauty concern; it raises the risk of skin cancer. Imagine the discomfort and dent in confidence when your lips get sunburned. Often, we forget to protect our lips from the sun, resulting in redness and blisters. The skin on our lips lacks melanin, making it more vulnerable. It’s crucial to prioritize lip care for overall skin health. Treat sunburned lips naturally: stay hydrated, apply green tea, and use aloe vera, ice, cold milk, potato juice, and vitamin E oil. Prevent future sunburn with SPF lip balm and avoid petroleum jelly. Seek medical attention for severe cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes sunburned lips?
Lips lack melanin, making them susceptible to the sun’s UV rays. Neglecting sun protection and prolonged exposure intensifies the risk of causing sunburn, redness, and blisters.
How do I know if my lips are sunburned?
Sunburned lips exhibit redness dryness, and may develop painful blisters. Severe cases make it challenging to open the lips without discomfort.
Why are lips often neglected in sun care routines?
The thin skin layer on lips and the absence of melanin make them prone to sun damage. Unfortunately, lip care routines commonly overlook sun protection.
What are the natural ways to treat sunburned lips?
Simple remedies include staying hydrated, applying green tea, aloe vera, ice compress, cold milk, potato juice, and vitamin E oil for soothing and healing.
Can I prevent sunburned lips?
Yes, use SPF lip balm with citrus extracts for faster healing. Avoid petroleum jelly, apply antibiotic ointment for blisters, and seek medical attention for severe cases.
How does hydration impact lip recovery?
Lips, exposed directly to the sun, reflect dehydration quickly. Stay hydrated with fluids like coconut water and fresh juices for softer, supple lips.
Why green tea for sunburned lips?
Green tea, rich in antioxidants, soothes and heals sunburned lips. Applying chilled green tea as a pack reduces inflammation caused by burns.
What role does aloe vera play in lip care?
Aloe vera’s cooling and anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness and blisters. Applying fresh aloe vera gel prevents adverse reactions after sun exposure.
How does Vitamin E oil aid in healing?
Vitamin E oil, ingested or applied, accelerates healing of chapped lips. Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash off gently for nourished, softer, lighter lips.
Why avoid petroleum jelly for sunburned lips?
Petroleum jelly traps heat and can worsen inflammation. Use cooling gel or shea butter instead for effective relief.
