Paying Lip Service
They are one of the most prominent and noticeable parts of your body, but you may not always pat attention to them the way you should. Your lips, as part of your mouth, draw attention every time you talk, smile, or even when you subconsciously lick them. Since they do spend so much time in the eyes of people you are around, then shouldn’t you make sure you are taking proper care of them? Lip care can improve your smile, your charm, and the way people view you, so it really is worth your time.
The problem most people have is that they don’t really realize that lips are not the same as the other skin on your body. In fact, your lips are one of the most delicate and fragile parts of your body and should be treated as such. They are not made up of as many layers of skin as the rest of your body is which makes them more susceptible to drying, cracking, and chapping. In addition, they do not have their own oil glands which means without assistance they are more likely to dry out than the rest of your skin. Once you have realized that your lips are different, it is time to start thinking about how you can care for them.
The number one thing you can do to care for your lips is actually good for the rest of you too. You should be hydrating yourself regularly. Drink more water and less alcohol and caffeine. If you live in a dry region, you may even want to invest in a humidifier in your home. In addition, you should be applying Chapstick and other lip balms on a regular basis. All of these things are needed to keep your lips from drying out which is the number one problem you will get since, as mentioned before, they do not produce their own oils like the rest of your skin does.
You should also continue to protect and moisturize your skin as the day goes on, with something other than saliva. This will help to condition your lips and hydrate them to prevent the damage the elements can cause. You should also be aware of what kind of lip gloss or balm you are using. Wax based balms and glosses protect your lips well, but petroleum moisturizing products correct without protecting. So you may even want to look for both.
Another tip to keep your lips looking good and feeling good is to stay away from heat. Stay away from hot showers, hot baths, and the hot sun. Hot baths and showers damage your lips by triggering dryness and taking moisture from them at the same time. If you are going to be outside during the summer months a lot, then you should use a wax-based lip balm or lip gloss. The SPF should also be at least a 15, but preferably more to protect you from the sun. During the winter, you should also be protecting your lips from the elements that can damage them. The reflected sunlight from the snow can be very hard on your lips, so continue to protect from the sun even in the cold winter months.
Another lip care strategy is to not smoke. Smoking, as you well know, is bad for you anyway, but it is terrible for your lips. It does damage to your entire mouth which includes your lips. In addition, the smoke itself will dry out your lips and kill healthy cells on a regular basis. In addition, it can discolor your lips the same way it does your teeth. Who wants tobacco stained lips, anyway?
You lips are not only some of the most prominent and noticeable parts of your body, but they are also covered in the most sensitive skin you have. Kissing is pleasurable due to that sensitivity, but aside from that it only means that your lips require a lot of care. Stay hydrated since lips do not produce oils, don’t smoke because it can damage your lips, and keep away from heat. All the while, be sure to wear a good lip balm or lip gloss to keep your lips looking good and feeling great.