Sun Damage & Lip Care
From "It’s Your Health"
We hear about the dangers of too much sun exposure all
the time, but the statistics still shock. About 90% of
the 600,000 new cases of skin cancer reported each year
are sun related. Your lips are one of the most vulnerable
parts of your body. Because they are on your face and they
are almost always exposed to the sun, hats, sunglasses
and scarves; the accessories we often use to provide protection,
generally don’t shade the lips. Young lips are even
more defenseless.
Lips have a very thin layer of skin – much thinner
than other parts of the body. Lips have very little melanin,
the pigment that helps protect against the sun. As a result,
lips can burn easily though they hardly ever tan. The sun
can also impact the collagen in your lips. Collagen is
a protein which gives your lips (and all of your skin)
some body. Collagen is also needed to stop wrinkles from
developing on and around your lips. Too much sun can cause
early aging and inner damage you may not even see.
People with cold sores have to be especially careful about
sun exposure. Cold sore breakouts are easily triggered
by too much sun. This situation can be prevented by using
an effective lip protection balm.
People often lick their lips when they get dry or too
hot. In fact, this can make the problem worse as the saliva
forms a lens which only intensifies the sun’s rays
on the skin.
The sun can be a danger year round. The sun’s rays
are divided into two types; UVA and UVB. The UVB rays decline
in cooler months, but that’s not the case for the
UVA rays. They are just as powerful in February as they
are in August. Reflective surfaces such as water, sand
and snow will make the negative effects stronger. Skiers
beware – snow reflects more than any other surface!
Read
further about Protecting your Lips Here >> |
