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Dermatologists can offer top tips to help
keep lips in tip-top shape
Newswise — While winter’s
harsh, windy weather is often to blame for
dry, cracked lips, sometimes the cause of
lip irritation is harder to pinpoint.
In fact, several types of
foods, cosmetic products, medications or
even bad habits have been linked to dry
lips. The key is determining the source of
the irritation and modifying your daily
regimen to eliminate the problem.
Speaking today at the 66th
Annual Meeting of the American Academy of
Dermatology, dermatologist Margaret E.
Parsons, MD, FAAD, assistant clinical
professor of dermatology at the University
of California at Davis, discussed the most
common causes of lip irritation, available
treatments and preventative measures to keep
lips healthy.
“When I treat a patient
for dry lips, the first thing I try to
determine is what this patient might be
doing or not doing that could be
contributing to the problem,” said Dr.
Parsons.
“In some cases, it might
be a new lipstick that contains an
ingredient irritating to the skin or an
anti-aging facial product that inadvertently
comes in contact with the lips that could be
the culprit.
"Or,
someone might be working outdoors or
participating in sports and not protecting
their lips from wind and sun damage with a
lip balm, especially one with sunscreen.
Once we determine the cause, there are some
simple, tried-and-true treatments that work
well for most patients.”
Mother Nature
Dr. Parsons
noted that not only can winter’s outdoor
elements contribute to dry, cracked lips,
but the conditions indoors during this
season can play a role in irritating the
lips.
Heat used to warm the
indoor temperature dries out the air and
lowers the humidity level, which can lead to
dry skin and lips. At the other end of the
weather spectrum, the intense summer sun can
lead to sunburned or sun-irritated lips.
“When working outdoors or
engaging in sports, men and women should
apply a lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher
year-round to protect their lips from sun
damage,” said Dr. Parsons.
“By wearing lipstick –
particularly the products in recent years
with sunscreen – women have protected their
lips better than men, which could explain
why men have significantly more skin cancers
on their lips than women.”
Cosmetics
In some cases,
products that you put on your lips –
lipsticks, lip balms or the newer lip
plumpers, which are applied topically to
make lips appear fuller – can cause dry or
irritated lips.
“Lip plumpers often
contain chemicals used to intentionally
irritate the lips and make them appear
fuller, such as capsaicin (derived from
chili peppers), mint, or menthol, among
others,” explained Dr. Parsons.
“For some, this irritation
is mild, causing a slight swelling and
fuller appearance. For others, this
irritation is significant and causes painful
swelling and redness.”
Dr. Parsons added that the
ingredient phenol used in some of the
traditional lip balms and other lip products
can irritate and actually contribute to
further drying out the lips.
Even though phenol is used
in low concentrations in lip products, it is
the same chemical used in deep-penetrating
facial peels that removes the top layer of
skin.
Foods
Spicy foods, the acid found in citrus foods
and even the cut edge of a mango peel (which
contains the chemical toxicodendron found in
poison ivy) can burn the lips and lead to
dryness and irritation. In addition, people
with nut allergies could react to lip
products that contain nut-based products,
such as shea butter.
Medications
Although many
people might not suspect their medications
to be the root of their lip problems, Dr.
Parsons explained that patients who cannot
attribute their dry or irritated lips to
other common factors should take a close
look at their medicine cabinet. For example,
some oral acne medications, such as
isotretinoin, can cause considerable lip
dryness even though they do not come into
direct contact with the lips.
Products applied
topically, such as acne medications
containing benzoyl peroxide or retinoids and
anti-aging products such as alpha-hydroxy
acids or retinoids, could cause considerable
lip dryness when they come into contact with
the lip area.
Vitamin E and aloe vera
gel also can be irritating to many people
with sensitive skin.
Similarly, patients with
eczema or other skin conditions that make
the skin more sensitive could be more
susceptible to allergic reactions from lip
products.
Dr. Parsons advised
patients with any underlying skin conditions
or who regularly use medications to check
with their dermatologist to determine if
these are contributing factors to their lip
problems.
“Lip-Smacking”
Another cause of dry, chapped lips that is
common in younger children is what
dermatologists refer to as “lip-smacking.”
This habit, which can be hard to break the
more the lips become irritated, can be
formed when children are nervous about
something, such as starting school. In
particularly bothersome cases, a mild
prescription product may be needed to
accelerate the healing process.
Tips and Treatments
In most cases, applying petroleum jelly or a
lip product containing petrolatum or mineral
oil will soothe and heal irritated lips. Dr.
Parsons also recommends the following tips
to prevent lip irritations and to keep lips
healthy and moisturized:
• Opt for lip products,
such as lipsticks or lip moisturizers, which
contain sunscreen whenever possible to
protect lips from harmful sun exposure.
• Be smart about what you put on your lips.
Avoid lip plumpers or other products that
intentionally irritate lips to make them
appear fuller, as the chemicals they contain
can be irritating to some people.
• Apply a petrolatum-based product at
bedtime, which Dr. Parsons refers to as the
perfect time for patients to “grease up”
their lips.
• Choose a simple product with few additives
to minimize possible irritation.
• See a dermatologist if lips are not
getting better with simple at-home
treatments or if new symptoms develop.
“Caring for your lips
shouldn’t be an after-thought,” added Dr.
Parsons.
“By incorporating good lip
care into your overall skin care regimen,
you can maintain healthy lips, avoid some of
the common sources of irritation and protect
your lip area from possible skin cancers.”
Headquartered in
Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of
Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is
the largest, most influential, and most
representative of all dermatologic
associations.
With a membership of more
than 15,000 physicians worldwide, the
Academy is committed to: advancing the
diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic
treatment of the skin, hair and nails;
advocating high standards in clinical
practice, education, and research in
dermatology; and supporting and enhancing
patient care for a lifetime of healthier
skin, hair and nails.
For more information,
contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376)
or
http://www.aad.org.
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