Chapped lips are unsightly and annoying at best, and painful and prone to infection at worst. Anything that strips moisture from around your mouth, such as dry air, cold, wind or sun may contribute to chapped lips, according to dermatologist Lawrence E. Gibson of the Mayo Clinic. Left untreated, your lips may become severely chapped, to the point of interfering with talking, kissing or dental hygiene. However, proper care not only treats severely chapped lips but may also prevent the problem from occurring in the future.
Step 1
Drink plenty of non-caffeinated liquids. Hydrating your body, especially with water, helps alleviate dry skin, including dry lips that lead to chapping. Maintain your body's moisture level by consuming six to eight glasses of water each day.
Step 2
Spread a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream onto your chapped lips. Available over the counter, a 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment reduces inflammation and helps relieve the irritation of severely chapped lips.
Step 3
Create a moisture barrier on your lips. Apply beeswax or petroleum jelly, or a lip balm containing these ingredients, on top of the hydrocortisone to protect your lips from the elements. Such a barrier allows your lips to retain the moisture that keeps them supple and soft.
Step 4
Refrain from licking your lips. Licking your lips may temporarily relieve the dryness and ease the pain of chapping, however, your saliva quickly evaporates and pulls extra moisture with it, resulting in even drier lips and worsening the problem. Avoid flavored lip products if you tend to lick them from your lips.
Step 5
Avoid picking at your lips. While dry, flaking skin is annoying, picking or peeling it off often results in bleeding and further irritation. Leave your lips alone and allow the lip balm to soften and heal your skin.
Step 6
Humidify your environment. As much as possible, create an atmosphere that adds moisture to the air you breathe. Humidified air slows the rate of water evaporation from your skin, allowing your chapped lips the conditions they need to heal.
Step 7
Apply sunscreen to your lips before heading outside. Lip balm that contains sunscreen not only protects your lips from the damaging rays of the sun but also provides the moisture barrier necessary for your chapped lips to recover.
Step 8
Cover your mouth with a scarf when outside in cold, windy or dry weather. A scarf protects your lips from the outdoor elements and, by capturing your moist breath as you exhale, helps locally humidify the air you breathe.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid allergens in the lip products you use. You may need to experiment with different products to discover which ingredients irritate your lips. Don't smoke. Smoking draws essential oils out of the lips, predisposing you to chapped lips.
- Consult with your health care provider if your chapped lips do not respond to self-help measures or if your chapped skin worsens.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- 1 percent hydrocortisone cream
- Lip balm containing beeswax or petroleum jelly
- Lip balm containing sunscreen
- Scarf
Member Comments