Despite being reminded to protect our skin from prolonged sun exposure, we often forget to safeguard one of our most delicate body parts: our lips. Compared to other areas of the body, the skin on our lips is thin, and they have less melanin to protect them from the sun, making them vulnerable to sunburn and other conditions such as premature aging and skin cancer. Even if we apply sunscreen to our face, neglecting lip protection can lead to discomfort and damage.
If you have spent time outdoors without lip protection, you may be experiencing discomfort due to sunburned lips. Here’s how to determine if your lips are sunburned and how to treat them.
It can take up to a day (24 hours) for the full effects of sun exposure to appear. Therefore, it’s not uncommon to feel fine after a day at the beach, only to wake up the next morning with red, itchy skin. When it comes to sunburned lips, mild cases may result in discomfort, itching, burning, redness, or minor swelling. However, if you notice small dark blisters on your lips, it may indicate a more severe sunburn (according to Medical News Daily).
While most cases of sunburned lips can be treated at home, including those with blisters, if you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction to the sun such as severe swelling of the lips or tongue, a rash, or difficulty eating, drinking, or swallowing, seek immediate medical attention.
The initial and most critical step in healing sunburned lips is to avoid further sun exposure until they have fully healed (according to Health.com). If you must go outside, wear physical protection such as a sun hat and use a lip balm with SPF.
At home, a cold compress can alleviate discomfort, reduce the burning sensation, and alleviate swelling. Simply wet a washcloth with cold water or dip it in ice water and gently press it against your lips. You can repeat this process as often as you need.
After using a cold compress, moisturizing your lips can help relieve dryness and flaking while aiding in healing. A moisturizer with aloe vera can be particularly soothing, as aloe is known to alleviate burn symptoms and speed up healing. If you opt for an aloe gel, make sure it is 100% pure aloe vera in case of ingestion.
Staying hydrated is crucial if you have a sunburn, as your body requires more moisture to heal your skin. Drinking plenty of water is essential, and sports drinks can also be beneficial for hydration (via Medical News Today).
When washing your face, showering, or bathing, use tepid water instead of hot water to avoid discomfort and pain, as sunburned lips are more sensitive to temperature changes.
Using a compress of skim milk can also help alleviate pain, as the proteins in the milk form a protective film over your lips, reducing sensitivity. Additionally, moisturizers containing vitamin E, coconut oil, almond oil, shea butter, or beeswax can help soothe and promote healing of sunburned lips.
It’s important to note that if your sunburnt lips are severe, with large blisters or significant pain, you should seek professional medical care. In these cases, a doctor may prescribe stronger pain medications or antibiotics to prevent infection. Additionally, if you have any signs of an allergic reaction, like difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat, seek emergency medical care immediately.
