The skin on your lips is different from the skin on other parts of your face. It’s made up of three sheer layers. This is interesting when you consider that the skin on other parts of your face has about 16 layers of opaque skin.
Since the skin on your lips is sheer and only contains three layers, it’s no surprise that it can become chapped quickly. Chapped lips can lead to dryness, cracks, peeling, flaking, bleeding, redness, and in rare cases, a burning sensation.
Causes of Chapped Lips
So what causes chapped lips? There are a number of reasons you may experience dryness and discomfort in your lips. While some of them are in your control, others are not. You may have chapped lips because of cold, dry weather. Or your dry lips may be the result of dehydration, eating spicy foods, or licking your lips.
Some medications and harsh products may also cause dryness in your lips. Too much time in the sun can also result in chapped lips.No matter the cause of your chapped lips, you may experience a bit of discomfort and be self-conscious about their appearance. The good news is you can resolve lip dryness fairly quickly and easily.
Treatments for Chapped Lips
Oftentimes, chapped lips heal on their own. If you’d like to expedite the process, however, you can use a lip balm. Most lip balms are made of petroleum jelly or paraffin base that can hold in moisture. Don’t use products that have fragrance, camphor, menthol, and salicylic acid as they can cause irritation. You may want to read reviews online before you purchase a certain lip balm to make sure it does what it says it does.
How to Prevent Chapped Lips
Fortunately, there are ways you can prevent chapped lips. First and foremost, drink plenty of water. This will prevent dehydration that leads to dryness. You can also apply lip balm and lip scrub on a regular basis. Also, do your best to avoid licking your lips.
While it may be tempting to lip your lips, doing so can cause the saliva to worsen the dryness. In addition, don’t spend too much time in the sun. It’s also important that you stick to a healthy diet and refrain from excessive alcohol consumption. Marvin, NC orthodontist Dr. Chad Johnson always states that a healthy diet goes a very long way towards good oral health.
Consult a Dentist If Necessary
If you take preventative measures and try conservative treatments at home with no success, it’s a good idea to see a dentist. They can evaluate your teeth, mouth, and gums and inform you of any issues that may play a role in the dryness. There’s a good chance you may have an infection or an underlying condition that requires immediate attention. The sooner you address the issues, the better.
Contact River Run Dental Spa
If you have any questions about lip dryness or would like to schedule an appointment to meet with one of our experienced dentists in the greater Richmond, VA region, we encourage you to contact us today at (804) 419-4211. We look forward to hearing from you!