Everything You Need to Know About Healing Sunburned Lips
Most people have to experience sunburned lips to realize that it's possible. So, if you're here because you googled something like "Can your lips get sunburned?" the answer is yes. But deep down, you probably had a pretty good idea about what the answer would be while you were typing that in.
So, let's dive into the next step - everything you need to know about treating sunburn on your lips and tips for future sun protection. Hopefully, you'll come away from reading this with habits that would make a board-certified dermatologist proud.
As you may have unfortunately found out, ignoring lip protection can lead to fairly serious discomfort and even long-term effects, like a heightened risk of skin cancer. Plus, sunburnt lips aren't just annoying; they get puffy and uncomfortable to look at, which can also cause your confidence to take a short-term hit.
What Do Sunburned Lips Look Like?
How do you know if the discomfort on and around your lips is due to sun exposure and not something more serious? Here are a few signs of sunburnt lips:
Redness and Swelling
One of the most common and noticeable symptoms of lip sunburn is redness. Your lips may appear redder than normal, indicating sun damage. Swelling and puffiness are also common. Your lips may look and feel swollen, causing persistent discomfort. The healing time for redness and swelling caused by UV exposure usually takes 2 - 10 days.
Tenderness
Sunburned lips can be painful, with the level of discomfort ranging from moderate to severe. You may experience a stinging or burning sensation on your lips. The skin might feel tender to the touch, making eating, drinking, or even talking uncomfortable. Recovery time for severe burns generally ranges from 2 to 3 weeks. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare specialist if the mentioned symptoms persist.
Dryness and Chapping
Chronic dryness and chapped lips are common side effects of sunburn. Your lips may become dry, chapped, and prone to peeling. Keeping your lips hydrated after a sunburn can be challenging, often resulting in painful cracking. The natural healing process typically takes 2-3 weeks. During this time, you may notice the skin on your lips peeling off. This is a normal part of healing, but it can be uncomfortable and unsightly.
Blistering
In more severe cases of sunburn, sun blisters may form on the lips. These blisters can be painful and increase the risk of infection if not properly cared for. Blisters from severe burns typically take a week or longer to heal, depending on factors such as the treatment applied, severity of the case, and exposure to irritants.
Bleeding
Bleeding may occur in some instances, particularly with severe sunburns or excessive chapping. If you are dealing with lip bleeding, using a lip balm or petroleum jelly will be more effective than regular chapstick.
Pro Tip: As someone who lives in Colorado, where it is extremely dry, I've dealt with sunburns and lip bleeding my entire life, and Neosporin has always been the best for keeping my lips hydrated while they heal.
Sensitivity
Your lips are covered by sensitive skin, and this skin often becomes more sensitive than usual after a burn. You may notice increased sensitivity to touch, temperature changes, or certain foods and drinks. The sensitivity will decrease as your lips heal but may take a few days to subside.
Dark Spots
You may notice dark spots while your lips heal. These are usually temporary and fade within 2 to 10 days as the lips fully heal.
It's important to note that the severity of these symptoms can vary depending on the extent of sun exposure and individual factors. If you experience severe symptoms or if the condition doesn't improve after a few days, you should see a doctor.
Step-by-Step Guide to Healing Sunburned Lips Fast
Sunburns never feel good, but burning your lips can be incredibly uncomfortable. Here are a few things you can do to relieve the pain and expedite healing:
Limit Sun Exposure
If possible, spend more time inside for a day or two to give your lips a break from the sun. But if you are on vacation or work outside, you can limit your lip's sun exposure by applying sunscreen to them. While you'd typically use another lip product, like a balm, sunscreen provides additional protection from UV radiation that your lips need while they heal.
Cool Down and Hydrate
Apply a cool compress, like a damp towel, to your lips to reduce inflammation and soothe the burn. Water is the key to helping your body heal, so it will help if you stay hydrated and drink extra water for a few days.
Cleanse Gently
Carefully cleanse your lips with cool water to remove any irritants or debris. Avoid soaps or over-scrubbing, as this can further irritate the sunburned area.
Apply Soothing Topicals
Lip sunburns are best treated with a multi-faceted approach. We recommend you consider applying a soothing topical in addition to everything mentioned above. Applying the right topicals can help speed up healing and provide relief. Finding the right topical means looking for ingredients that treat and prevent sun damage.
Here are a few ingredients to look for:
- Shea or cocoa butter - These ingredients provide lasting hydration
- Beeswax - Seals in moisture and protects from the elements
- Vitamin E - Helps in skin repair and protection
- CBD - Soothes, hydrates, and heals
- Castor Oil - Actively hydrates the skin
- Aloe vera gel - Known for its soothing and healing properties
Consider Over-the-Counter Medications
If you're experiencing pain or sustained swelling, consider taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. This can help reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort.
Personally, I've found that Advil works wonders here. OTC painkillers don't just reduce inflammation; they take away the lingering sting that comes with every bite with sunburn on your lips.
Protect Your Lips
While healing, protect your lips from further damage:
- Use a lip balm with certified SPF or natural protectants, like beeswax, when going outside
- Avoid picking or peeling any loose skin
- Refrain from using lip products with ingredients that might irritate your skin
Be Patient and Consistent
Mild sunburn on the lips typically resolves itself within several days. Continue applying lip balms, moisturizing products, and anything that can help treat or prevent lip sunburns for 3 to 4 days straight, and you'll notice that your lips start feeling better quickly.
Avoid Irritants
Avoid spicy foods, citrus fruits, and other irritants that could aggravate your sunburned lips.
Monitor for Complications
If you notice severe blistering or signs of infection, or if the sunburn doesn't improve after a few days, consult a healthcare professional. A board-certified dermatologist is the best option for skin issues.
Best Ingredients to Heal Sunburned Lips
CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD has shown potential benefits for sunburned lips due to its soothing and hydrating properties. Using a CBD lip balm can nourish and soothe damaged lips, providing relief and protecting lips from further damage.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is an effective ingredient for treating sunburned lips. It offers several benefits:
- Forms a protective barrier on the lips
- Helps shield lips from harmful UV rays
- Moisturizes and nourishes dry, damaged lips
Beeswax
Beeswax is a popular ingredient in lip balms and can be beneficial for sunburnt lips. Beeswax locks in moisture, prevents bacteria and soothes sun-damaged lips.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E can help treat sunburned lips because it provides multiple benefits, including antioxidant properties that support healing, hydrating properties that combat dryness, and protection against further sun damage.
Red Raspberry Seed Oil
While not as commonly mentioned as the other ingredients, Red Raspberry Seed Oil can help heal and prevent sunburned lips. Red raspberry seed oil provides natural UV protection and actively nourishes damaged lips.
Tips for Preventing Future Sunburns
Now that you know how to rehabilitate and rejuvenate sunburned lips, let's cover a few ways to prevent future sunburns before you go.
1. Start By Applying SPF Lip Balm
The most effective way to prevent sunburned lips is to use a lip balm or lipstick with a certified sun protection factor (SPF). Choose a product with an SPF of at least 30 for optimal protection. This will help filter out harmful UVB rays and provide much-needed sunburn protection.
Alternatively, you can use a natural lip balm with beeswax or red raspberry seed oil to protect your lips. However, if you choose to go the all-natural route, this next tip is essential.
2. Reapply Frequently
It's important to reapply sunscreen and lip balm more often than you would sunscreen on other parts of your body. This is because the protective layer you've applied to the thin skin of your lips is degraded whenever you eat, drink, or lick your lips. You should try to reapply your SPF lip balm or sunscreen every 2 hours, or more frequently if you're swimming or sweating.
3. Use Proper Application Techniques
When applying lip sunscreen or balm, make sure to cover all areas of your lips, including the corners and the border where your lips meet your skin.
4. Consider Using Your Regular Sunscreen
Don't have lip sunscreen or lip balm with SPF? Don't worry. Using a small amount of regular sunscreen on your lips will do the trick.
5. Best Options for Natural Protection
If you prefer to use all-natural products, you'll want to look for a natural lip balm with one or more of the ingredients we listed above. Anything with beeswax or red raspberry seed oil is a great place to start. Each of these ingredients provides natural protection from the sun's rays. It is also worth keeping an eye out for products with ingredients that have soothing properties, like CBD and coconut oil.
