How to Cure Chapped Lips

Its that time of year again...Prickly Lip Season, better known as winter. Every winter the air gets cold and dry and our lips suffer for it. This year you can be ahead of the game, prevent chapped lips from happening to you, or cure it if you already suffer from chronic cactus lips.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Moisturizing lip balm
• A clean wash cloth
• Warm water
• Vaseline

1. If you already have chapped lips or if you have chapped lips more often than not than this article is for you. Get a small bowl and fill it with warm water. Dip a clean wash cloth in the warm water and then hold it against your lips. Hold the cloth there until the water on the cloth cools. Now do it again, dipping the cloth in warm water and holding it on your lips until it cools. I recommend a minimum of 3 times depending on how dry and ruff your lips are.
2. When the dry and ruff skin on your lips becomes soft to the touch your ready for the next step. Dip your wash cloth in the warm water again, but this time wring out the excess water. With your damp cloth over your middle and index fingers rub across your lips in a horizontal back and forth motion. It is best if you apply some pressure and rub back and forth very vigorously. Your goal is to rub all of the dead and dried skin off of your lips. It will not take too long and you will know when you have gotten all the dry skin off by the satiny smooth feel of your lips on your bare finger.
3. Once you have removed all of the dead skin it is time to treat your lips for their suffering and to heal them up for good. For those of you who do not have chapped lips but still want to prevent them you can jump in on this step. Apply a cool wet wash cloth to your lips for just a few seconds to make them soft and moist. Then pat your lips dry with your finger tips.
4. Apply a very thin coat of Vaseline to your lips with your finger. Allow the Vaseline to soak in and lock in the moisture for about 20 minutes, then apply a thick coat of your favorite moisturizing lip balm. Make sure it has a flavor or scent you like so you won't blow off using it. Lip balm comes in many shades and flavors as well as plain bees wax balm so theres no excuse not to wear it.
5. Carry your lip balm in your purse or pocket so you can apply it every time you get the urge to lick or bite your lips. Repeat these steps at least once a day until your lips are completely smooth and healed up. They will also be super soft after just one treatment. Wear your lip balm religiously especially in the winter to protect your lips from environmental damage that comes from dry air, and the sun. Once your lips are healed up you can just use the lip balm alone to maintain healthy and smooth lips.

Tips & Warnings

• I recommend using a lip balm with SPF 15 at least, for total protection from the sun, but if you like flavors and colors go with what you like instead. After all what is the point in buying the medicated stuff if you only use it once and never again?
• Licking your lips is a habit a lot of us have trouble breaking, so don't bother trying just make sure you NEVER lick or bite your lips while out doors. If you need moisture while your outside use your lip balm instead.
• Licking your lips outside is one of the worst things you can do to them, as the air dries up your saliva, it dries up your lip's natural moisture too, leaving them drier than before you licked them causing you to lick them again. Next thing you know you've got cactus lips.