Perfect lips: a detailed care guide
“Lips can be compared to a sponge: when sufficiently moisturized, they become voluminous and soft, and when there is a lack of fluid in the body, they become smaller and dry,” notes dermatologist Bruce Barth, MD, of Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. Lips are especially vulnerable during periods of changeable weather, when temperatures fluctuate from freezing to warm, cold winds blow, and the sun becomes increasingly active.
Contents of the article:
the lips lack the thick protective layer that the rest of the skin of the body has. Unlike the skin in other areas, the skin of the lips is very thin (blood vessels are visible through it, which is why the lips acquire a reddish tint) and does not contain sebaceous glands, which are responsible for the production of natural oil, which creates a barrier and protects against external harmful factors.
The lack of melanin makes lips extremely sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, since this pigment in the skin acts as a natural sun protection. The lips are also rich in nerve endings, so every little thing irritates them. Over time, the amount of collagen and elastin, which are responsible for the elasticity and structure of the skin, decreases, causing the lip contour to lose definition and become less expressive.
If you notice any unusual changes or discomfort, be sure to contact your dermatologist. There are special medications, and treatment courses can relieve lip diseases and improve their appearance.
- Drink enough fluids. It seems like an obvious tip, but regular water consumption helps keep your lips moist. The recommendation is about 30 ml per kilogram of weight, although 4-5 glasses a day will quite be able to provide the required level of moisture to the skin of the lips.
- Give up the habit of licking your lips. “This skill damages the natural protection of the skin of the lips, which leads to dryness,” warns Dr. Robert Brodell, dermatologist. “Saliva contains digestive enzymes that can destroy the protective barrier.”
- Choose the right lip balm. Pay attention to the ingredients – look for moisturizing ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, vitamin E, almond, jojoba or coconut oil. If your skin is sensitive, avoid products with camphor oil as it may cause irritation. Instead, choose products with rosehip or shea seed oils.
- Use a humidifier indoors. This will help make the air more humid and reduce the risk of dry lips.
- Exfoliate your lips regularly. To keep your skin smooth and your lipstick to apply evenly, you should cleanse your lips of dead skin cells. A great way is to take a new toothbrush (dry and clean), apply a little Vaseline to the bristles and gently massage your lips for a few seconds, smoothing out any rough areas. You can also use special peels, usually containing fruit acids (alpha and beta hydroxy). “They work on the same principles as peels for face , explains MD. Dennis Gross from New York. “But if the skin on your lips is sensitive or severely damaged, do not use such products more than once a week – acids can cause irritation.”
- Comprehensive UV protection is mandatory. Since lips lack sufficient melanin, they are practically not protected from the sun. Apply a sun balm with an SPF of at least 15 several times throughout the day, even under makeup.
- Don’t get carried away with matte lipsticks. They are rich in pigment, which provides long-lasting color, but at the same time they are very drying on the lips. Use these lipsticks sparingly, and if there are cracks or flaking, discard them until the condition improves. Choose lipsticks with moisturizing ingredients (such as vitamin E or glycerin) or apply a layer of moisturizing balm under the lipstick.
The nerve endings are located close to the surface of the skin of the lips, which makes their sensitivity similar to the function of receptors. For this reason, lips play an important role in communication and intimate contacts. Only proper care can maintain the brightness and attractiveness of lips for a long time.
Add some fat!
The lips are the only part of the face that benefits from increased fat mass. They become fuller and more voluminous. True, against the background of rounded cheeks the picture may look less harmonious. Stereotypes that exercise and intimacy improve the condition of the lips have a basis: both promote blood flow, saturating color and smoothing wrinkles, and also increase elasticity and reduce dryness. However, radical interventions such as permanent makeup, implants and injections of synthetic substances should be avoided, especially if you have a low pain threshold.
In addition to exercises and natural methods of improving the condition of the lips, it is important to pay attention and skin care lips Regular use of balms with moisturizing and repairing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and natural oils (such as shea butter or coconut oil) will help keep lips soft, smooth and prevent chapping and flaking.
Also, do not forget to protect your lips from the negative effects of the environment: cold, wind, and ultraviolet rays can cause dryness and irritation. Use balms with SPF and avoid licking your lips, which increases dryness.
Lip exercises
- Pull your lips forward and open your mouth slightly. Then close and relax your lips. Repeat at least 15 times.
- Pull your lips out, then blow softly, simulating the motion of trying to blow out a flame. Do 30–40 repetitions.
- Inhale, fill your cheeks with air and release it slowly. Make the last five exhalations with intermittent pushes.
- Pronounce the sounds clearly: a, i, o, u. At the end of the exercise, puff out your cheeks and exhale air through pursed lips so that they vibrate. Repeat at least 10 times.
- Stick out your tongue and hold it in this position for as long as possible, then remove it and relax. Perform 5-6 repetitions.
- Coordinate the movements of your lower jaw and lips, moving them right and left in turn. Repeat at least 10 times.
- Blow forcefully for 10 seconds, then relax, open your mouth and stretch your lips, maintaining tension for a few seconds. Then relax.
To achieve a noticeable effect, it is important to perform the exercises regularly – at least 4-5 times a week for 10-15 minutes. Also be patient: improvements in lip tone and volume appear gradually and increase over time.
If you want to further increase the volume of your lips without injections, you can pay attention to a massage using oils or special lip scrubs. A gentle massage improves blood circulation and promotes a natural, luscious appearance.
