Sunburned Lips: Expert Tips to Treat, Soothe, and Prevent
Learn how to recognize, heal, and avoid sunburned lips with advice from leading dermatologists.
If you thought the worst thing to happen after a long day in the sun was a red nose or peeling shoulders, think again. Your lips are one of the most sensitive—and often overlooked—spots that can be damaged by the sun’s rays. Sunburned lips are painful, visually obvious, and can take a toll on your overall comfort. But with the right knowledge and tools, you can treat the burn, soothe discomfort, and importantly, prevent it from happening in the first place.
How Do You Know If Your Lips Are Sunburned?
It’s easy to miss the early signs of sunburned lips, because redness sometimes appears on your actual lips as well as the skin surrounding your mouth. But look out for these telltale changes:
- Tenderness, swelling, or puffiness (lips feel fuller or more sensitive than usual)
- Redness or a change to a deeper color (lips and the area around them appear noticeably redder or darker)
- Throbbing, stinging, or sharp pain
- In severe cases: blisters, sores, or scabs may develop
- As healing starts: peeling, flaking, or itching can occur
Symptoms can start within a few hours after sun exposure but often progress and peak several hours or even days later.
Why Are Lips So Prone to Sunburn?
Your lips are particularly vulnerable for two main reasons:
- Little melanin: Melanin gives skin its pigment and provides some sun protection. Lips have less melanin than most other areas, resulting in minimal natural protection from UV rays.
- Thin epidermis: The skin on your lips is much thinner than the rest of your face and body, making it more prone to damage, swelling, and pain.
The bottom lip tends to be even more exposed and susceptible due to its size and orientation to the sun.
Sunburned Lips vs. Other Sunburns
While any part of your skin can get burned, sunburn on your lips is usually more intense in sensation. The high density of blood vessels and nerve endings increases the sensitivity, so symptoms such as swelling and pain feel more pronounced. Severe burns can trigger blisters or scabs, which—if tampered with—risk permanent scarring or infection.
How to Soothe and Treat Sunburned Lips: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Start Anti-Inflammatory Treatments Immediately
Soothe swollen, red lips with these dermatologist-approved remedies:
- Apply 1% hydrocortisone cream: Dab a thin layer on your lips as soon as you notice swelling or redness. This over-the-counter corticosteroid helps quickly reduce inflammation and swelling. (Note: It might look thick and white, so it’s best used when you’re at home.)
- Aloe vera gel: Apply chilled pure aloe vera to cool and calm stinging, irritated lips. Storing it in the fridge can enhance the soothing effects.
- Other helpful soothers:
- Ice rollers or cold compresses: Gently press on lips to reduce swelling.
- Non-petrolatum-based healing ointments (once the acute burn subsides): Products like Aquaphor can help—but wait until the stinging is gone before application.
Recommended Lip Remedies for Soothing Burns
- Dr. Dan’s Cortibalm (1% hydrocortisone balm)
- Aquaphor Healing Ointment (only after acute pain subsides)
- Amara Beauty Aloe Vera Gel (store in the fridge for extra relief)
- Esarora Ice Roller (for reducing swelling)
2. Resist Picking at Scabs or Blisters
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If your lips develop blisters or scabs, do not touch, pop, or pick at them. Interfering increases healing time, triggers further irritation, and can lead to permanent marks, scars, or infection. If blisters persist for more than a week or worsen, consult a dermatologist—more advanced prescription treatments may be required.
3. Avoid These Ingredients on Fresh Sunburns
Certain lip products and ingredients can worsen discomfort or slow healing:
- Petrolatum-based products (like Vaseline or classic Aquaphor): These can trap heat and cause further inflammation if the burn is still fresh. Wait until stinging stops before use.
- Menthol: Can intensify burning and redness.
- Topical antibiotics (like Neosporin, Bacitracin): May cause allergic reactions or additional inflammation around your lips.
When Can You Put Lip Balm on Sunburned Lips?
You might be eager to slather soothing balm on sunburned lips—however, only use mild, non-petrolatum balms initially. Once stinging and burning subside, it is safe to switch to more occlusive healing balms or ointments to accelerate recovery.
How Long Do Sunburned Lips Take to Heal?
Mild sunburned lips typically heal in 3 to 7 days. Severe cases involving blisters or scabbing might require up to two weeks to resolve. The key to fast healing:
- Don’t pick or pop blisters and scabs.
- Keep lips moisturized (once acute pain decreases).
- Seek professional help if symptoms last more than a week, worsen, or appear infected.
Lips generally heal faster than the skin on your arms or face—if they’re not disrupted or aggravated during the healing process.
Prevention: How to Protect Your Lips from Getting Sunburned
Preventing sunburn is always easier (and less painful) than treating it. Dermatologists stress these essentials:
Use Lip Balm with Broad-Spectrum SPF
- Apply an SPF 30 or higher lip balm before sun exposure. Reapply every 80 minutes, and always after eating, drinking, or swimming.
- For prolonged outdoor exposure, choose water-resistant SPF lip creams.
- Don’t forget to include your lips when applying facial sunscreen—mineral formulas with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are ideal for sensitive lips.
Recommended Lip Balms with SPF
- Cay Skin Isle Lip Balm with SPF 30
- Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 30
- EltaMD UV Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 36
- MDSolarSciences Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm SPF 30
Other Sun Protection Strategies for Lips
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat to reduce direct exposure.
- Avoid peak sun hours (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) when rays are strongest.
- Seek shade when outdoors for extended periods.
- In winter, continue protecting lips: UV rays reflect off snow and can burn lips year-round.
What Not to Do When Treating Sunburned Lips
- Don’t apply petrolatum or thick balms too early: Wait until acute stinging subsides.
- Don’t use mentholated or flavored balms: These can worsen irritation.
- Don’t pick, pop, or scrub: Picking at blisters, scabs, or peeling skin increases risk for scarring and secondary infection.
- Don’t apply topical antibiotics unnecessarily: Risk of contact dermatitis increases with their use around the lips.
When to See a Doctor for Sunburned Lips
While most cases resolve with home care, see a board-certified dermatologist if:
- Blisters or pain last longer than 7 days
- Blisters increase in size or number
- Lips begin to show signs of infection (pus, increased redness, fever)
- You have severe pain, or the area prevents normal eating and drinking
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunburned Lips
Q: Can you really get sunburned on your lips?
A: Yes. Your lips have minimal melanin and thinner skin, making them especially prone to sunburn—just like any exposed part of your body.
Q: What does a sunburn on the lips feel like?
A: Expect your lips to feel swollen, tender, red, and sore, often with a stinging or throbbing sensation. Blisters or peeling may occur in more severe burns.
Q: Is a lip sunburn dangerous?
A: While most cases are mild and heal uneventfully, deep burns or repeated sunburn increase your risk of chronic chapping, scarring, and even skin cancer over time. Severe sunburns may require medical attention.
Q: What can make a sunburned lip feel better immediately?
A: Cool compresses, a thin layer of 1% hydrocortisone cream, and chilled aloe vera gel can bring quick relief. Avoid balms with menthol or flavors until lips heal.
Q: When is it safe to resume regular lip care?
A: Once acute stinging, redness, and swelling subside, you can return to regular balms—preferably with sunscreen for outdoor activities.
Q: Are any lip balm ingredients risky for burned lips?
A: Petrolatum (when the burn is fresh), menthol, and topical antibiotics are best avoided. Stick to fragrance-free gentle balms as you heal.
Summary Table: Sunburned Lips Dos and Don’ts
| Dos | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Apply 1% hydrocortisone cream | Don’t pick, pop, or scrub lips |
| Use cold aloe vera for soothing | Don’t use petrolatum on fresh burns |
| Wear SPF lip balm outdoors | Don’t use menthol/flavored balms |
| Seek shade and wear hats for protection | Don’t ignore persistent blisters—see your doctor |
| Reapply sunscreen regularly | Don’t apply topical antibiotics unnecessarily |
Key Takeaways for Healthy, Sun-Protected Lips
- Recognize sunburned lips early—look out for swelling, redness, or pain.
- Treat immediately with anti-inflammatories and gentle, cooling products.
- Avoid aggravating the burn—no picking or applying harsh balms/medications.
- Invest in a high-SPF lip balm as part of your daily sun protection routine.
- See a dermatologist if your lips aren’t healing or symptoms worsen.
Never underestimate the sensitivity and vulnerability of your lips in the sun. With some planning and conscientious care, you can keep your lips healthy, hydrated, and burn-free all year long.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a40870890/sunburned-lips/
- https://marmurmedical.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/www-skincare-com-skin-concerns-all-skin-concerns-sunburned-lips.pdf
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/skincare/g43902291/spf-lip-balm/
- https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/sunburned-lips-what-to-do
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