Sunburn on the lips: how to avoid it

You get sunburnt on the lips if the skin is exposed for too long to UV rays from the sun. The skin on the lips is very sensitive and extremely thin. It contains hardly any melanin – the pigment that actually protects the skin from UV rays. If the lips are exposed for a long time to sunlight, sunburn appears as inflammation on the skin.

Symptoms of sunburn on the lips include the following. The skin:

• becomes red
• burns
• look swollen
• is tight and feels dry
• hurts and is sensitive to the touch
• itches.

In the case of a second-degree burn, a blister forms on the skin. If you have blisters on the lips due to sunburn, you should cool the skin under running water. Then, the best thing to do is see a doctor.

Usually, the signs of sunburn appear after 3 to 5 hours. The symptoms are most pronounced in the 12 to 24 hours after the skin has caught too much sun. The worst is usually over after three days. In the case of second-degree burns, it frequently takes longer. Each time you get sunburnt, the risk of long-term damage to the cells increases, which can result in skin cancer. Sunscreen therefore also has long-term relevance.

It is very easy to avoid sunburn on the lips. With appropriate cosmetics, the skin can be well-protected from the sun. It is difficult to cover this part of the body, so for lips, a special sunscreen for the face or lip balm with SPF is a good choice. This lip care should have an SPF of at least 30 to provide reliable protection. SPF 50 or 50+ is even better. There are even tinted lip balms with SPF that simultaneously nourish and protect, whilst giving your lips a fresh touch of colour.

Further options for protecting your lips from the sun:

• Avoid the midday sun between 12 PM and 3 PM because at this time UV rays are at their most intense.
• Bear in mind the fact that UV rays also reach the shade. If possible, therefore, limit the length of time you spend outdoors. Choose a head covering that shades the face, such as a hat or cap.

Make sure you not only use sunscreen on the beach or at the pool. In the mountains, whilst out walking and when you spend a long time outdoors, you should always protect yourself from the sun and be sure not to forget your lips. Even on cloudy days, UV rays come through the clouds, which is why there should be no reason to dispense with sunscreen, even on overcast days.

Sunlight and UV rays are a trigger for herpes on the lips, as they weaken the immune defences and can therefore increase the risk of triggering herpes. People who tend to get herpes and carry the pathogen for it should take particular care to protect their lips, as herpes can be triggered through exposure to the sun. If you have already had sunburn on the lips, the lips are more vulnerable, which means a herpes breakout can occur more easily

If you have sunburn on the lips, it is generally easy to treat:

• Cool your lips – but not with ice because this is too cold. It is better to go for cold, running water or a cold cloth.
• Adequate skincare is the top priority if you have sunburn. Put plenty of cream on your lips and provide them with plenty of moisturiser, such as aloe vera lotion. This helps the lips to regenerate faster.
• In addition, drink plenty of fluids because sunburn draws fluid from your body.
• Try to take care of your lips and don’t expose them to further UV rays.
• Stay away from hot, spicy or acidic foods. These can irritate the sensitive skin on the lips further.
• Keep an eye on the UV index for the area where you are staying. Many weather apps provide this information directly. Experts recommend applying sunscreen when the UV index is 3+.

If these measures are not sufficient to treat your sunburn, you can buy a hydrocortisone cream at the chemist’s. Special gels for burns and sunburn can also help. If you’re not sure, are in pain or your lips are inflamed, go to the doctor’s to be on the safe side.

Along with numerous skincare remedies and moisturising creams, there are also home remedies that you can use to treat sunburn on the lips.

• Yoghurt has a soothing effect and is also anti-inflammatory.
• Aloe vera provides plenty of moisture and nourishes irritated skin. Slices of cucumber from the fridge provide a pleasant cooling effect. A teabag of black tea with a little water poured onto it and then stored in the fridge brings relief and cools the lips. It is also anti-inflammatory thanks to the tannins in the tea.
• Coconut oil has a moisturising effect and can reduce the risk of inflammation.