Many places are experiencing record-breaking heat this summer. As temperatures rise, you might hear frequent reminders about how you can avoid getting sunburnt. Sadly, though, the lips are often overlooked when it comes to sun protection. How exactly can you protect your lips from the sun, and why is doing so of vital importance? Read this blog post to find out.
The Dangers of Overexposure to the Sun
The skin on the lips tends to be thinner and less pigmented than the skin on the rest of the body. Therefore, it is more vulnerable to harm when it faces prolonged exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
On a short-term basis, spending too long in the sun might cause your lips to become burned, dry, and uncomfortable. Repeated overexposure could drastically increase your risk of lip cancer. The lower lip is particularly vulnerable because the way it is angled allows more of the sun’s radiation to hit it.
How to Protect Your Lips
Here are some easy things you can do to protect your lips from the sun:
Wear SPF
You can apply regular sunscreen to your lips, but it tastes unpleasant, and it could irritate their delicate skin. As a more comfortable alternative, use a lip balm with SPF.
You may come across some products with SPF 15 and others with SPF 30. The former blocks out only 93% of the sun’s rays, whereas the latter blocks out 97%. When it comes to sun protection, that is a significant difference, so try to opt for an SPF 30 lip balm.
Do Not Forget to Reapply
One of the biggest mistakes people make with their SPF products is that they forget about the importance of reapplication. Regular sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours or so (more frequently if you are swimming or sweating a lot). Lip balms might need to be reapplied once an hour.
Wear a Hat
A hat with a wide brim can cast shade on your lips and reduce the risk that they will suffer burns. Sunhats and baseball caps are both solid choices; try to choose one with a UPF of 50 or greater.
Stay Inside During the Hottest Part of the Day
It would be wise to check the UV index before you head outside. It tends to be highest during the middle part of the day, so if possible, try to stay indoors during that time period. If you have to go out, stay in the shade as much as you can.
Your lips are a valuable part of your smile and your oral health! Protecting them from the sun is both easy and worthwhile!
Meet the Practice
The talented dentists at Santavicca Dental Professionals are proud to provide a range of oral health services to the Lebanon community. If it is time for your next oral cancer screening, or you have other concerns about how to care for your smile, we are ready to serve you. Get in touch with our team at 603-215-7108.