Sunburn most often appears on skin areas like the face or arms because they are frequently exposed to sunlight. However, the lips can also get sunburned because the skin covering them is much thinner and more sensitive.

What are the signs of sunburn on your lips, and how can you manage them? Read the explanation below.

What Are Sunburned Lips?

Sunbathing does help the body produce vitamin D. However, the face is one of the areas most exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation while sunbathing, and this includes the lips.

The skin on the lips is thinner and more delicate than the skin on other parts of the body, which makes it more vulnerable to sunburn. The lower lip is also exposed to the sun more often and more directly, so the risk of sunburn is higher than on the upper lip.

Symptoms of Sunburned Lips

The signs of sunburned lips are similar to sunburn on other parts of the body. The main symptoms are lips that look red and feel painful. Other common complaints include:

• Lip tenderness

• Swelling

• Blistering

• Dry, chapped, or peeling lips

Sunburned lips usually lasts from several days up to about one week. Recovery time depends on how long the lips were exposed to the sun, what kind of treatment is used, and how severe the burn is.

If symptoms have not improved after a week, or if the swelling makes it hard to eat, drink, or speak, you should see a doctor.

Sunburned lips can also increase the chance of infection, including bacterial infections or cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). If the lips feel increasingly firm or tight, or the blisters worsen, consult a doctor as soon as possible so you can receive the right treatment.

Treating Sunburned Lips

Sunburned lips can be managed with a combination of medication and simple home measures. Some steps you can try include:

• Cold compress: Soak a soft washcloth in cool water and place it gently on the lips to help ease pain and reduce swelling. You can also wrap an ice cube in a cloth before applying it, but do not place ice directly on the skin.

• Aloe vera: Apply pure aloe vera gel or an over-the-counter aloe vera product to soothe the burned area. 

• Anti-inflammatory drugs: Take pain relievers with anti-inflammatory effects, such as ibuprofen, to help reduce pain from within the body.

• Moisturizers: Use a cream or lip balm that helps calm irritated skin, maintain moisture, and protect the lips while they heal.

• Hydrocortisone cream: Hydrocortisone cream can be used if other methods do not provide enough relief. However, this product should only be used after discussing it with a doctor, and it must be applied carefully so it is not swallowed.

Preventing Sunburned Lips

You can help prevent sunburn on the lips by protecting them properly from the sun. Some ways to do this include:

• Use SPF lip products: Choose a lip balm with at least SPF 30 to shield the lips from UVA and UVB rays. Reapply regularly, especially after swimming or sweating.

• Limit direct sun exposure: Try to reduce time under direct sunlight, particularly during peak UV hours between about 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM.

• Wear a hat or other protection: A wide-brimmed hat or an umbrella can help block UV rays from reaching the face, including the lips.

The lips are one of the areas that burn easily with prolonged sun and UV exposure. If you experience sunburn on the lips and the symptoms do not improve, you should see a doctor promptly. You can also use the consultation feature on the Ai Care app, which can be downloaded from the App Store and Play Store.

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