If you’ve ever experienced dry, flaky, cracking lips, you know how hard it is to get back that soft, supple feel and look. One crack may last for months and flaking can seem never-ending.
Why Are Lips So Difficult to Restore?
You may be surprised to learn that lips have no oil or sweat glands. The skin on our lips is also much thinner than the rest of our bodies, and yet our lips are exposed to everything we eat, drink, and breathe.
Even so, you don’t have to end up with a sour smile! Follow these key tips for keeping lips healthy.
Hydrate, Inside and Out
This is the number one beauty tip for your lips. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day, no excuses. Water helps your lips stay full and plump by hydrating your lips from the inside. When that isn’t enough, use a lip balm (not a gloss) that contains moisturizing ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, coconut butter. Even simple petroleum jelly or aloe vera is better than anything with salicylic acid or silicone, both of which obliterate moisture.
Exfoliate, Just Not Too Much
It seems logical to rub away dry skin on your lips with abrasive scrubs. It does feel better for a minute, but excessive exfoliation pulls off the protective layer of skin on your lips. Instead, exfoliate gently with a washcloth no more than once a week. Choose products containing fruit-acid-based alpha or beta hydroxy acids, but use them sparingly.
Kick the Licking Habit
It’s so tempting to lick your lips for a quick fix when you’re out exercising or just forget your lip balm. Don’t do it—ever! This will ruin all the good work you’ve done to get beautiful lips. When your saliva evaporates it makes your lips even drier.
Avoid Mouth Breathing
Avoid breathing through your mouth if you can, since the extra windflow will dry out your lips with every breath. (It’s no wonder cracked lips often start with a sinus cold!) If you’re too stuffy to breathe through your nose, use your preferred methods for treating congestion to help save your lips.
Treat Your Lips Right with Restylane®
If you’ve tried balms and exfoliants, but still aren’t seeing the results you want, Restylane® could change your bad lip luck for good. Restylane is an injectable filler that stimulates collagen production, which in turn helps your lips look and feel plump and luxurious. Restylane can be injected both directly into the lips as well as around the lips to dramatically reduces fine lines and wrinkles, making your lips look younger and fuller.
La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre is the premiere Restylane provider in the San Diego area. We are experts in wrinkle reduction, especially around the lips and mouth. We can discuss your desired outcome and recommend a treatment plan at a personalized consultation.