Proper lip care in summer

Dr. Arabella Michelén

Monday, July 8, 2019

Summer began a few days ago, bringing with it stifling heat that’s "melting" everything in its path. Skin is the most affected organ due to intense sunlight and high temperatures, with burns and dehydration being the most common consequences.
The tissue covering the lips is different from that of the rest of the body—it's thin, delicate, and, therefore, highly sensitive to temperature changes, making it more prone to dehydration and chapping.

Unlike the skin, which produces melanin, lips do not, meaning they do not tan with sun exposure but rather become irritated and burned.

During summer days, using a lip moisturizer is essential, regardless of the form—balm, cream, or any preferred type, often in stick form. It should be applied as often as needed, regardless of age or gender, from children to the elderly, to create a barrier that protects lips from the harshness of high temperatures.

When engaging in outdoor activities, whether recreational or work-related, it is important to use not only a moisturizer but also a sunblock specifically for the lips. Hours of sun exposure, combined with beach, sand, salt, pool water, and inadequate protection, is the perfect recipe for damaging the skin all over the body, including the lips, causing burns and dehydration.

Oral hygiene can be quite uncomfortable if the lips are cracked, chapped, or sore; even toothpaste and mouthwash can aggravate the condition. Contact with these products can cause stinging, worsening the lesion.
In some cases, limited mouth opening due to chapped lips can make brushing difficult, leading to cavities and periodontal disease with potential complications.
Additionally, herpetic lesions are more common in summer than in other seasons.

Dehydration and cracks make eating and speaking painful, turning ordinary daily functions into painful tasks, affecting the patient's overall health. Moreover, burned, chapped lips are not aesthetically pleasing.

Precautions to Take: Drink plenty of water and fluids. Avoid smoking (which is harmful to health and worsens sun exposure effects). Maintain a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Antioxidants are excellent for tissue repair. Take vitamin A, which supports collagen production and cell turnover, and vitamin C, a great antioxidant.
Aloe vera is an excellent refresher and healer, so choosing a lip product with aloe vera for moisturizing, protecting, and healing is beneficial.

In summer, the sun is undoubtedly responsible for lip dehydration and burns. The Dominican Republic is a tropical paradise—let’s enjoy outdoor activities, sun, beach, and mountains, but with proper care and protection.