How To

How to Avoid Sunburned Lips

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(3 Ratings)

The lips are one of the areas on our bodies most sensitive to sunburn, and also one of the hardest areas to keep properly protected from the sun. If you are serious about avoiding sunburned lips, you are going to have to be prepared to work at it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Protective lip balm

    Keep Them Covered!

  1. Step 1

    Carry lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher level of protection. Many lip balms include sunscreen these days, and you can also find lipsticks with SPF if you shop around.

  2. Step 2

    Re-apply after one hour if sweating heavily or eating and drinking. If in doubt, put more sunblock on.

  3. Step 3

    Use a sunblock cream made for the body if you find yourself without any sun protection lip balm. It may not taste great, and can look white on your lips, but it's better than a burn and works in a pinch.

  4. Protect Your Lips in All Weather

  5. Step 1

    Wear protective lip balm to avoid sunburned lips even on cloudy days. Boaters and skiers can tell you that it's the cloudy days that, oddly enough, seem to result in serious sunburn. One reason is that the sun's rays can be strongly reflected off of water and snow, and another reason is that on gloomy days people are more lax about keeping themselves protected.

  6. Step 2

    Use a lip balm with SPF that comes with a cord for hanging around the neck, if you get sunburned lips often. This way you'll always have your protection handy, and you won't forget to put it on if it's right in front of you.

  7. Step 3

    Avoid fruit-scented lip balms, as these will attract bees and other bugs, which will make you want to wipe the lip balm off. If you like to wear fruity lip balm or gloss, simply wear it over a standard, high-SPF lip balm to avoid burning.

Tips & Warnings
  • Tubes of lip balm are so small and portable that they can be tucked into a pocket, making them perfectly accessible when camping or watching a ball game. Keeping tubes by the front and back doors of your house is another good way to remind everyone in the family to get protected before they head outside.
  • Most men and boys won't wear scented or flavored lip balm. If you are stocking up for the whole family, buy a selection of lip balms.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Have you done this? Click here to let us know.

I Did This

Related Ads

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

Live Strong Partner
Livestrong_eHow Health