Keeping your smile healthy is about so much more than brushing and flossing every day. When it comes to oral health, people often forget about their lips, which can be dangerous. The skin of the lips contains less melanin and is more vulnerable to sun damage. As a result, not shielding your lips could increase your risk of skin cancer or oral cancer. Read on as a dentist lets you know how you can protect your lips from the sun.
Limit Your Time in the Sun
One of the simplest ways to shield your lips is to avoid exposure to direct sunlight when the sun’s rays are most intense. These hours can range from 10am to 4pm, with the peak usually occurring somewhere between noon and 2pm. If you must stay outside, try to take breaks every few minutes to stand or sit in the shade.
Cover Your Head
It’s not always possible to avoid being outside when the sun is shining brightly overhead. In that case, it’s best to wear a wide-brimmed hat, like a baseball cap or a sun hat. Doing so protects not only your lips from harmful UVB rays, but also the sensitive skin on your face. Plus, keeping your head cool will greatly reduce your risk of overheating.
Wear an SPF 30 Lip Balm
Some sun-protecting lip balms have SPF 15, while others go up to SPF 30. This may not seem like a huge difference. According to the American Cancer Society, though, SPF 15 filers out approximately 93% of UVB rays, but SPF 30 filers out around 97%. When it comes to how much radiation your skin is exposed to, this actually makes a major difference. If you’re going to spend some time in the sun, buy a lip balm with an SPF of at least 30.
SPF lip balm has to be reapplied more often than typical sunscreen. While you’re out in the sun, be sure to reapply your lip balm at least once per hour, and again after eating, drinking, or licking your lips.
Sun damage to the lips is often not noticeable until serious problems begin to develop. That’s why it’s crucial to take the right precautions ahead of time and minimize damage as much as possible. Talk to your dentist about the ways you can keep your lips, and the rest of your smile, healthy.
About the Author
Dr. Christine D. Laster is a family dentist in Raleigh, NC with 20+ years of experience. She keeps her clinical skills sharp through her memberships in various professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, the American Association of Women Dentists, and the North Carolina Dental Society. To learn more about how to protect your lips from the sun, visit Dr. Laster’s website or call her dental office at (919) 787-0355.
