We groom them, we paint them, we strengthen them with treatments but we may forget to protect them from the sun. Lip burn is more common than we think as the skin in the area is thinner and has less melanin than the rest of the body. In fact, the lower lip is more exposed to the sun than the upper lip, which is somewhat protected by the nose.
What are the signs of sunburn on the lips?
They usually appear 2 to 5 hours after exposure to the sun. A mild burn is manifested by dryness, tenderness, redness and perhaps a burning sensation. A moderate to severe burn may be accompanied by blistering, bleeding, pain and extreme sensitivity. Symptoms persist for three to five days. The appearance of the lips will get worse before it improves as the lips peel off due to the burn.
Can the burn cause herpes?
Unfortunately, apart from the direct effects, there are also indirect effects. Solar radiation can reignite the activity of the herpes virus and the burn can lead to an outbreak of herpes simplex with blisters. Severe lip burn can also lead to discoloration. In addition, as with burns on any part of the body, it can increase the risk of skin cancer. So if you see an unusual spot on the lips or a wound that won’t close, be sure to come to Tzouma Clinic.
What can we do at home to relieve the burn?
If it is mild to moderate, we can make cold compresses to cool the area. Combined with an anti-inflammatory ointment recommended by the dermatologists at Tzouma Clinic, it will help the condition. Aloe gel can also act therapeutically, especially if you have cooled it beforehand. Avoid all products containing petroleum derivatives, such as petroleum jelly, because they will keep the heat of the burn inside the skin with painful results.
How can we prevent lip burn?
The good news is that lip burn can be successfully avoided. We can apply our sunscreen all over our face and lips or, even better, we can buy the specialised lip sunscreen recommended by the experts at Tzouma Clinic. We apply it 15 minutes before going out in the sun and repeat it after swimming, sweating, eating or drinking.
At the new Retail Point in Tzouma Clinic Hilton, you can consult the doctors and aestheticians of Tzouma Clinic and discover all the products that will give you a glowing and hydrated skin in summer!
