As the summer weather heats up, you have probably been hearing lots of reminders about how important it is to use sunscreen and take other steps to prevent sunburn. Unfortunately, there is a part of the body that often gets forgotten about when it comes to sun protection — the lips. They are rather delicate, and they are vulnerable to burns and cancer if they are frequently overexposed to UVA and UVB rays. What can you do to protect your lips from the sun? Here are some helpful tips:

Wear SPF

Did you know that regular sunscreen can protect your lips just like it protects the rest of your body? Of course, it might not taste good, and it could cause dryness and irritation. That is why many people opt for a lip balm with SPF instead.

As you are shopping for a lip balm, you might find some products with an SPF of 15, while others feature SPF 30. Try to choose the latter; SPF 30 blocks out 97% of the sun’s harmful rays, but SPF 15 blocks out just 93%.

Reapply Your SPF

One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to sun protection is that they forget just how important reapplication is. Regular sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours (more often if you are swimming or sweating a lot). It is generally a good practice to reapply SPF on your lips every hour or so because it can wear off quickly as you eat or lick your lips.

Wear a Hat

A hat provides a simple and reliable way to cast some shade on your face and reduce the chances that your lips will burn. Here are a few tips on how to choose a suitable hat:

• Pick a hat made with a solid material, rather than something made out of mesh.
• Look for a hat that features a UPF of 50 or higher.
• Make sure that the hat’s brim is wide enough to protect your lips. Sunhats and baseball caps both tend to work well.

Stay Indoors During the Hottest Part of the Day

The middle portion of the day, usually between 11 A.M. and 4 P.M., tends to be when the sun’s rays are most intense. Try to stay indoors during that period. If that is not possible, stay in the shade as much as you can.

Your lips are one of the most important parts of your smile! Take steps to protect them from the sun’s harmful radiation.

Meet the Practice

The experienced, talented team at Abington Family Dental Care proudly offers oral cancer screenings and a broad range of other oral health services. If you would like advice on how you can protect your smile this summer, we are ready to speak with you. Contact our office at 781-780-2658.