Apply a non-irritating lip balm (or lip moisturizer) several times a day and before bed. If your lips are very dry and cracked, try a thick ointment, such as white petroleum jelly. Ointment seals in water longer than waxes or oils. Slather on a non-irritating lip balm with SPF 30 or higher before going outdoors.
Try applying a mixture of olive oil, honey, and sugar to your lips for 10 minutes and then washing it off. This should moisturize and soften your lips, but stop if you notice further damage. Consider flaxseed oil. Some websites claim flaxseed oil helps heal chapped lips by restoring essential fatty acids.
Lip Reconstruction may involve non-invasive and/or surgical treatments. Reconstructive surgery may be indicated to minimize any visible deformity. Dr. Pearson's practice offers lip reconstruction as well as a full range of cosmetic and reconstructive facial plastic surgery procedures and treatments.
B vitamins
Chapped lips are a common symptom of deficiencies, especially in folate (vitamin B9), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and vitamins B6 and B12 ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ).
The lauric acid in coconut oil has nourishing properties that seep into your skin. Some coconut oils absorb quickly, providing moisture to heal dry, chapped lips. Keep in mind that coconut oil can only do so much. You'll want to determine the cause of your chapped lips so you can prevent it again in the future.
See a dermatologist if your problem persists. Chapping that doesn't heal, despite regular use of lip balm, can be a sign of infection or a more serious problem, like cancer or a precancerous condition called actinic cheilitis.
Chapped lips are the result of dry, cracked skin on your lips due to cold or dry weather, sun exposure, frequently licking your lips or dehydration. You can treat chapped lips at home with the use of lip balm or ointment to ease any discomfort.
What does it look like? Solar cheilitis predominantly affects the lower lip because it tends to be more prominent. The homogenous pink color of the healthy lip (Figure A) is replaced with non-homogenous white/gray, pink, red, or brown areas and the normally sharp vermillion/skin border becomes less distinct (Figure B).
Vaseline is known as an occlusive, which means it can hold in moisture . If you use Vaseline on your lips before they're dry and chapped, you may be able to stave off dryness. However, petroleum jelly isn't all that effective at restoring moisture once it's been lost.
The secret to dealing with dry, sore, chapped lips is to find a way to lock in moisture and protect the lips from the cold, dry air. Vaseline® Healing Jelly is an excellent choice as it forms a protective layer on the lips and penetrates deep down to rehydrate the skin and speed up the its natural renewal process.
Applying a soothing balm or moisturizer to your cracked lips is often the best way to heal them. NEOSPORIN® LIP HEALTH® Overnight Renewal Therapy® works as you sleep to revitalize and heal chapped lips in as little as three days.
A lip wound should heal itself in three or four days, Dr. Ye Mon says. “If you notice swelling, discharge from the wound, fever, or worsening pain or redness, see a doctor.”
Cracked or peeling lips: Heartache, worry, dryness in the body, feeling cold. Discoloration or faded colour in the lips: Lack of proper circulation throughout the body. Hot/burning/red lips: Inflammation or too much heat within the body due to overly spicy foods, too much sugar, alcohol or caffeine.
What to look for in the best lip oils. “Lip oils are composed of oils from ingredients such as almond, olive, jojoba, coconut, avocado, hemp seed, castor oil, and rosehip,” says Dr. Maiman. “These natural ingredients contain fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that are ultra-nourishing and hydrating.”
Topical vitamin E oil can be used to relieve chapped, dry lips. Since vitamin E promotes cell turnover and regeneration, using it on dry lips brings new cells to the surface faster. The thick and oily consistency of vitamin E oil can also prevent further irritation.
Fortunately for your thinning lips, there are dermal fillers available that can pump them back up. The two primary products we offer, Juvéderm® and Restylane®, both use hyaluronic acid as the active ingredient.
Hydrate with hyaluronic acid
According to dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross, hydration hero sodium hyaluronate is one of the best ways to fill out fine lines in your lips, helping them to look plumper in an instant. “Derived from hyaluronic acid, this powerful humectant holds 1000 times its weight in water,” he explains.
As you age, your body's production of collagen starts to slow down, which leads to sagging and reduction of volume in areas of your face, like your cheeks and your lips. Hyaluronic acid production also slows down.
Lip cancer often looks like a mouth sore that won't heal. In people with light skin, this sore may appear reddish. In people with darker skin, it may appear dark brown or gray. Lip cancer can look different for everyone, so if you notice something strange, you should call your healthcare provider for an appointment.
Vitamin deficiency is the most common cause of cheilitis. The absence of vitamin B2 in the body slows down the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates and decreases energy production. Thus, increasing the intake of B2 and eating foods like eggs, milk, and lean meat may help reverse the problem of cheilitis.