Lip care-Dos and Don'ts for smooth, soft and supple Lips

Just like we humans, lips come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. The lips are richly innervated, as such they are a very sensual pair of tissues. Lip care should be regarded as a  vital part of routine skin care.

The skin on the lips is very fragile. It reflects easily and early in conditions such as dehydration (drying and cracking), viral infection (e.g blisters) and for the skin around them, aging (wrinkle/lines).

DOS

1. 
   

   Drink lots of fluid:

   
   The importance of hydration cannot be undermined when it comes to keeping a healthy lifestyle. One of the first signs of low fluid intake by the body, which may be due to an illness or reduced fluid consumption; or increased fluid loss, which usually results from a sickness or side effects of some medications, is drying of the lips. The result of drying is cracking and peeling off of its skin. In addition, thirst is felt.


2. 
   

   Keep them moisturized:

   
   I recommend having a lip balm handy, in order to moisturize the lips when needed. After applying it  (with clean fingers), smacking the lips is a good way of spreading and massaging them.  Winter season comes with its disadvantages, such as dried skin (thanks to the weather and increased use of heaters). This calls for extra fluid intake, use of humidifiers, using a heavier moisturizer (especially for dry skin)  and using chapsticks on the lips. Last but not the least part of this tip is to invest in a good lip balm.
   
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   I personally use 'The Body Shop' lip balm. Beeswax-based lip balms are gaining lots of praises of recent.


3. 
   

   Treat any infection with care:

   
   An example is a fever blister. This may occur as a result of herpes infection. Unless in severe cases where antiviral medication is given, most are left to remit on their own. While they resolve, do not tamper with them in order to avoid scarring. Another instance is tearing of the lip corners, always leave the areas moisturized.


4. 
   

   Apply Lip sunblock:

   
   One of the leading causes of skin cancer, including the lips, is sunlight UV exposure.


5. 
   

   Exfoliate:

   
   The skin on the lips has creases and it harbors dirt and germs. It also sheds dead cells, just like other parts of the skin. Exfoliating the lips once in a while helps to rid the lips of dead cells and dirt, as well as getting rid of harmful germs. A popular D-I-Y lip scrub combination is the sugar-lemon-olive oil. The olive oil component leaves the lips moisturized. Apply the scrub with the fingertips and massage the lips in a circular motion for a few minutes, then rinse it off

DON'TS FOR LIP CARE

Don't...

• ..forget to brush the lips when brushing Your teeth: While or after brushing Your teeth, rub Your lips lightly in a circular motion. This helps to remove dirt as well as dead skin. Be sure to apply a lip balm afterward to prevent drying up.


• ..lick Your lips: Many of Us are guilty of it, especially if the lips are dry. What results is more drying? Create a habit of carrying a lip balm or chapstick everywhere You go.


• ..Sleep with make-up on Micellar cleansing water removes makeup effectively without any fuss.
• ..peel off raised skin if cracked: Peeling off the skin from dried and cracked lips may result in injury, consequently bleeding.


• ..Use matte lipsticks alone: Apply a lip balm before rubbing dry lipsticks like matte to prevent drying up. By doing this, the lips look smoother and fewer lines are observed on the lips after matte lipstick is applied.

Stay beautiful
Yours in the flawless skin journey, Nafisah NK