In these hot summer months, sunscreen is a must. From a trip to the beach to a visit to an amusement park, your skin needs protection from too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. However, what most people don’t realize is that your lips need extra care as well! Sunburnt lips can have a negative effect on your oral health, so here are 3 ways you can protect your lips from sunburn this season.
How Your Lips Can Impact Your Oral Health
Your oral health isn’t just about the inside of your mouth: your lips need attention too! The skin of your lips is thinner and has less melanin, a pigment that shields your skin from the sun, meaning it’s particularly vulnerable to UV rays compared to the rest of your body.
Neglecting your sun protection routine can lead to an increase in your risk of developing oral or skin cancer. Visit your dentist regularly so mouth cancer can be caught and treated before it becomes serious.
If your lips get sunburnt, you might avoid taking care of your oral hygiene the way you usually would to avoid discomfort. However, it’s essential that you continue brushing and flossing twice a day as recommended to prevent plaque and bacteria buildup.
3 Ways to Protect Your Lips from Sunburn
SPF protection is important year-round. Here are 3 ways you can protect your lips from UV rays and reduce your chances of developing oral health issues:
- Avoid direct sunlight during peak hours. You can lower your risk of sunburn by staying away from the sun from 10:00 AM – 3:00PM CST or 11:00AM – 4:00PM DST.
- Block UV rays with a hat or sunscreen. Shielding yourself from UV rays as much as possible will reduce your chances of sun damage.
- Apply a lip balm with an SPF 30+ rating. Apply a moisturizing lip balm with an SPF 30+ rating or higher frequently throughout the day.
How to Treat Sunburnt Lips
You might have a sunburn on your lips if you are experiencing redness, swelling, tenderness, or small, white blisters filled with fluid around that area. Make sure if your lips are sunburnt that you avoid being in the sun as much as possible while they are still healing.
For treatment, you can apply 100% aloe vera or a cold compress to the affected area to relieve the burning sensation. To manage the discomfort, you can take an anti-inflammatory or over-the-counter pain medication. Moisturize to help your skin heal, but avoid anything with petroleum in it.
A mild sunburn should last about three to five days, so if it doesn’t get better or go away, visit your dentist!
About the Practice
At Baldwin Family Dental, we are committed to providing painless, stress-free comprehensive care to help you achieve your dream smile. The practice performs oral cancer screenings during normal checkups to catch any issues you might have early on, including a visual scan for discolored patches and a tactile examination for unusual lumps. If you are concerned about developing oral health issues from too much time in the sun, contact the Baldwin Family Dental team at their website or by phone at (850) 215-0128.