Robert Ryan said, “The eyes and lips are great indicators of mood and feeling”. Lips that are soft and look well-cared for add a great degree of charm and beauty to the face; they also reveal how positive we feel inside and how much care we give to ourselves. Here are a few simple and handy tips that can go a long way towards beautiful lips.
Dr Sadia Masood, Consultant Dermatologist, comments, “Our lips are not only the most sensitive part of our body but also do not have large amounts of natural defences of their own. Therefore, they can be damaged easily from the drying effects of the sun, wind, pollution, indoor heating and air-conditioning. Lips also do not have any sweat glands, have few oil producing glands and the only protection we deliver to them is the saliva which in reality isn’t helpful at all.” She continues, “Dry, chapped and cracked lips not only look bad but make one feel uncomfortable as well.”
Extremes in temperature, both hot and cold can cause lips to chap as the outer protective layer of the lips is thin and unable to handle extreme temperature and therefore cracks easily. Overwork and stress also cause general breakdown in the body. If immunity is low, it manifests in minor infections resulting in dry lips. Dr Masood adds, “Some medication can also cause the body to dehydrate, causing dry lips and hyper pigmentation. Some diseases such as eczema cause dry lips as a side effect while some allergic reactions to drugs can also appear as diffused swelling of lips”.
Experts recommend gentle exfoliation at least once a week for smooth, soft and healthy lips as this not only sheds off some of the built up dead skin but also stimulates cell turnover. However, Dr Masood warns never to exfoliate sunburned, cracked or damaged lips. She continues, “Exfoliate your lips gently, in circular motions by using a soft brush. By doing this for about 20 to 30 seconds you can achieve fresh and younger looking lips”.
Some lipsticks can cause irritation and allergic reactions leading to cracked lips as well as contact eczema. Therefore, experts suggest opting for lipsticks with moisturising agents like vitamin E oil. Opt for lip balms with organic or natural ingredients instead of harmful colours and chemicals. Dr Masood adds, “Apply a little petroleum jelly or lip balm gently and regularly on the lips. Remember to remove your lipstick before going to bed by using a good cleanser and apply a thin layer of lip balm. Don’t use lipstick on chapped lips as it may cause irritation”.
Dr Naseema Kapadia, Consultant Dermatologist, guides, “Use good quality lipsticks and avoid lipstick altogether if eczema develops. Lipsticks with dark shade darken the lips if used regularly; alternate wearing dark shades with lighter ones. Get lipstick with UV protection if possible.”
Consuming paan and ghutka dry out lips and make them chap; smoking leads to rough, dry and stained lips, therefore it is best to quit such habits.
Dr Masood shares a simple recipe to soften and nourish the lips: take honey and glycerine in equal proportions and mix with a few drops of lemon juice. Store the mixture in a cool place and use it as often during the day as possible. Applying it before going to bed every night will prevent the accumulation of dark pigments, leaving lips looking naturally pink and soft.
Some women resort to cosmetic surgery to make their lips look more attractive. Dr Kapadia comments, “Lip fillers are not harmful if they don’t cause allergy but one has to remember that the results are only temporary.”
Last but not the least, drinking too much caffeine can cause the body to dehydrate resulting in dry lips. Add lots of green leafy vegetables, whole grains and pulses to your diet as these are rich in Vitamin B which is good for lips. Dr Masood says, “Vitamin B prevents the delicate skin of your lips from cracking. Dry lips are caused by dehydration therefore drinking ample amounts of water keeps your lips soft.”