While it is fun to head out and soak up some sun let us be honest, we get careless with our sun protection many times which leads to sunburn. They are inevitable when one spends a significant amount of time outside and the sunburn can even turn into a tan that is difficult to get rid of. It can also lead to hyperpigmentation and various other skin issues, depending on how often you expose your skin to strong ultraviolet rays.
Frequent and careless exposure of our lips to harsh UV rays can cause lasting damage and thus people wonder how long does sunburn lasts on lips. While you might notice the fading away of tan eventually sunburn’s damaging effects penetrate deep into the lips. As the cells regenerate, it requires a considerable time to heal. Let us see what are the major causes of sunburn on lips. How long does it last and what to do to get rid of it quickly?
What Causes Sunburn on Lips?
Though getting sunburns is quite common, especially on summery days, some people are more prone to getting it. If you have ever had a sunburn you would know that exposing your lips to longer duration out in the sun is the main reason behind getting sunburns. But if you expose yourself to tanning beds, sunlamps, or other sources of artificial UV lights, then also you can get a sunburn on your lips.
If you have a weak immune system, followed by conditions of autoimmune diseases such as lupus or lupus erythematosus or other medical conditions, then you are more likely to get sunburn than others. If your body lacks some basic nutrients then it can lead to photosensitivity of your lips leading to getting sunburn more quickly.
How Long Does Sunburn Last on Lips?
It depends on the intensity of the burn to tell exactly how long does sunburn lasts on lips. If the sunburn is mild, it will take only a few days to heal completely, whereas if it is severe, it takes not less than a week to heal. It can also require medical treatments to speed up the process.
The pain associated with sunburns and reddening of the lips may fade away after 48 to 76 hours but the burn can last up to several days. If you have serious sunburn, then you can even experience blisters and peeling of lips. It might take longer for the blistering effect to show up on the lips, but it usually appears within 24 hours of the overexposure to sun.
Other Factors
Several other factors determine how long does sunburn last on lips. Some people are more susceptible to getting sunburns due to the following reasons–
- Altitude of your location- If you live in higher altitudes, you are prone to get sunburn more easily than people living in lower altitudes.
- Skin Color- Fair Skin people are more prone to get sunburn than someone with a darker complexion because of more melanin content.
- Exposure to sun at a particular time- Getting your lips and skin exposed to the sun from a period between 10 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. can get you sunburned more easily as the sun rays are very intense in this time period.
- Consuming certain drugs- Consuming some drugs or medications that have photosensitizing properties in them can cause the problem of sunburn in some people.
What To Do Immediately If You Feel Severe Heat/Pain Due To Sunburn on lips?
It is common to feel a sudden wave of heat/ pain after getting a severe sunburn. You must not panic and to heal the affected area, it is important to follow tips and guidelines to help your lips get better and relief from pain and redness.
What To Do Immediately If You Feel Severe Heat/Pain Due To Sunburn on lips?
It is common to feel a sudden wave of heat/ pain after getting a severe sunburn. You must not panic and to heal the affected area, it is important to follow tips and guidelines to help your lips get better and relief from pain and redness.
Take Ice Pack
The first step to cool down your lips after getting a sunburn is to take an ice pack and give a gentle massage over the affected li[s area. Pat dry your lips after doing an ice massage on your lips and do not forget to apply moisturizer to trap the moisture on to your lips for a longer time.
Hydrate
Your lips get very dehydrated in the process of sunburn. One must not forget to give ample hydration to the lips. Continue consuming a good amount of water, cooling fruit juices to replenish your lips with lost water content, and at the same time, it also cools your lips.
Rub Your lips With Aloe Vera Gel On Sunburnt Areas
If it bothers you how long does sunburn last on lips, you must take immediate action to lessen the sunburn and its effects by using products that are available at your home. Rub aloe vera over the affected burnt parts of the lips and massage it till it gets completely absorbed. You can either use fresh aloe vera gel or a store-bought one. Make sure you are not allergic to aloe vera products.
Precautions For Sunburns
Even though the symptoms of sunburn are temporary on your lips, it leaves long-lasting damage and can lead to dull lips, skin cancer, sunspots, and redness. Here is how you can protect your lips from getting sunburned to a large extent –
- Apply sunscreen judiciously on the lips before stepping out in the skin and re-apply it after every few hours to maximize the protection.
- When heading out, protect your face with a scarf, or hat, and carry an umbrella so that the rays do not hit you directly on the lips.
- Strain yourself from using a tanning bed as the artificial UV lights can damage your lips as well.
- If possible, stay indoors in peak times when the sun’s rays are the most intense.
Possible Treatments
Some possible treatments for sunburn on lips are as follows-
- If you are experiencing pain from a severe sunburn on your lips then you can take a pain reliever such as ibuprofen. You can also apply a pain-relieving gel on your lips to get relief.
- Use a cool compress to cool down your lips to get relief from the burn and itchiness.
- Use cooling agents that can be applied topically to lips such as hydrocortisone or an aloe vera gel.
Tips To Avoid Sunburn
Although sunburn might appear to be a temporary condition, it can even cause skin cancers in severe cases. It is essential to keep your lips and skin protected at times when going out, especially on hot summer days or when the sun’s rays are at their peak. Wear clothing that protects your lips from too much exposure but make sure they are airy and breathable fabrics. Cover your face and carry an umbrella whenever going out. It is also important to apply sunscreen in a good amount to protect the skin from UV damage. We hope we covered all your concerns relating to how long does sunburn last on lips and its precautions and treatments.