A Basic Guide to Caring for Your Lips

 

Other animal species have lips, but humans are the ones with a distinctive vermilion border that outlines the lips and separates the pink tissue from the surrounding skin. They might seem like a superfluous facial feature, but we actually use the fragile, thin tissue of the lips for several functions, including articulation during speech, communication through facial expressions, food intake, as a tactile sensory organ, and as an erogenous zone. Not to mention, the size and shape of the lips play an important role in determining the overall structure of your face. Some scientific studies show that your lip size can even be a major influence on how attractive you are to others. Your lip shape is something that’s determined genetically and is impacted by aging, which causes them to lose volume—so you don’t have much control over aspects like how large, small, symmetrical, or curved they naturally are. Nevertheless, some people choose to accentuate or change the appearance of the lips using hyaluronic acid lip fillers or makeup. Even if we spend a lot of time and energy caring for our facial skin and hair, our lips are often a neglected aspect of our skin care routine. The skin on the mouth area is different from the skin on other parts of the body because it’s thinner, more fragile, and much drier, which is why the lips easily become chapped and sore. Specialists in dermatology from Westlake Village’s Pierre Skin Care Institute share the following tips for keeping your lips looking supple and healthy:

• Keep Them Exfoliated

Instead of covering up scaly, discolored, or dull lips with lipstick, try exfoliating them instead. Our lips often become chronically dehydrated because of intense hot, cold, windy, or dry weather conditions. Just like the skin on the rest of your body, your lips also need to be exfoliated to remove dead skin, even out the tone, and enhance circulation. Exfoliation gives them a smoother, healthier appearance. You can use either DIY or ready-made exfoliators to gently remove debris two to three times a week and follow up with a moisturizer to protect the outer barrier of the skin.

• Protect Them from Sunlight

Large amounts of UV radiation are not only terrible for your skin because they dismantle the collagen and elastin that hold it together, but can also cause your lips to become dry and scaly due to sun damage. Don’t just apply sunscreen to the rest of your face; you’ll also need a lip balm that contains SPF to protect the sensitive skin on the lips. As we use our lips frequently while talking or eating, you’ll need to reapply SPF frequently to this area to avoid chronic sun damage, even on cloudy, cooler, or overcast days. Shield your face by wearing hats and try to limit your sun exposure.

• Avoid Toxins

Exposure to toxins, whether from air pollution, cigarette smoke, or other chemicals, will cause the collagen in the lips to break down, leading to accelerated aging in the form of wrinkles and sagging. Try to avoid smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke as much as possible.

• Hydrate

One of the major benefits of drinking eight glasses of water a day is having better skin. When you’re getting enough hydration internally, it keeps your lips looking fuller by restoring moisture, brightens them up, and gives them a rich, pink color. Having a humidifier in your home and moisturizing with vitamin E or aloe vera will also help you to avoid dryness. Vitamin E has the added benefits of enhancing circulation and boosting skin cell turnover. It’s a good idea to use lip balms regularly to soothe them.

Want more tips on maintaining healthy, beautiful lips all year? Learn about both medical and cosmetic dermatology from Westlake Village’s Pierre Skin Care Institute. Call them directly at 805-496-9190, or submit a contact form to set up a consultation.