When most of us think about SPF, we think about the skin all over our face and body, but we don’t normally think about our lips. Do our lips really need this protection? Should you use SPF lip balm, or does it matter? Get your answers here.
Do Our Lips Need SPF Protection?
They do. Did you know your lips can get sunburned? Ouch! We don’t want that. We can also get skin cancer on our lips. It’s actually pretty common, and UV rays are the #1 cause. Our lips are more susceptible to sun damage than the rest of the skin on our face because they contain no melanin to offer natural protection from the sun. Lip cancer has a high survival rate because it is usually easy to find and diagnose in early stages, but it requires surgery that is uncomfortable, expensive, and could cause scarring or disfigurement. This is definitely something to avoid.
How to Choose SPF Lip Balm
First, you need to select a lip balm, lip gloss, or lipstick with an SPF 30 or higher rating. That is the amount needed to provide adequate UV protection of 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 protects against 98% of UVB rays. SPF 15 protects against 93% of UVB rays, but dermatologists don’t consider that sufficient.
You should also read the ingredients list to see which ingredients are offering the protection in that product. Zinc oxide and titanium oxide are the best options because these minerals naturally protect against both UVA and UVB rays. This is what is called broad spectrum protection.
How To Use SPF Lip Balm
When you apply it, make sure to cover the entire surface of your lips, or only the parts that are covered will be protected. Make sure to reapply whenever the balm or gloss has worn away. If you’re sweating or in the water, you’ll need to reapply your lip balm every 40 minutes.
Are SPF Lip Balms Safe?
Zinc oxide and titanium oxide are perfectly safe, even on our lips. You will want to read the ingredients list to make sure the product doesn’t contain anything harmful, irritating, or that you are allergic to. Lip balms also provide the moisturization that your lips need to stay healthy.
Will SPF Lip Balm Interfere with My Style?
Absolutely anyone can wear SPF lip balm. There are so many to choose from that you can wear it almost invisibly, if you don’t wear makeup, or find any color or shine to match your style and your skin tone.
Call Rejuvenation Laser and Skin Center
You may be reading this blog post because you discovered sun spots, and you’re wondering how to protect yourself from further sun damage. If you have, we can remove your sun spots. And there’s more good news. You can prevent their return by protecting your skin from the sun. Reach out today to get smoother, clearer skin.