{SCA}Dry cracked or chapped  lips – It is always better to prevent than to cure. Chapped lips can be caused by a number of factors, and many of them, such as being for a long time in a dry and cold environment, eating very salty dishes, or kissing outside in a windy weather  can be avoided or at least minimized.

Other causes of getting chapped lips may be due to the thyroid hormone imbalances or B vitamins deficiency, which can be cured by a long-term adherence to a healthy, natural diet.

The moist and smooth lips not only look healthy but also contribute in enhancing your looks. No doubt the lips are an integral part of your make up. The moist lips hold the lipstick color best and also look beautiful. The make up of the lips keeps changing with the mood of the time and occasion. Here are few guidelines in this regard

Cure for Dry Cracked Lips:

In most cases, dry cracked lips is not a major issue and within a week, one can restore youthful appearance of lips by implementing the following home remedies.

1. As aforementioned, dehydration can cause dry skin and chapped lips. So, it is imperative to consume sufficient amount of water. Increasing water intake to 8 – 9 glasses of water is one of the simplest solutions to ward off dry cracked lips.
2. Lips cracking will worsen if appropriate skin care product is not used. Doctors often recommended petroleum jelly for application of cracked lips. Choosing unflavored lips balms is a better option as flavored ones contain chemicals that can cause further irritation. Even using a flavored toothpaste can prolong the healing time of dry lips.
3. Aloe vera gels, available at various drug stores, are extremely beneficial in the treatment of dry lips. Also known as lips’ best friend, aloe vera provides soothing effects and assist to cure cracked dry lips in a short time. In fact, aloe vera lip balms, when applied regularly can prevent lips from becoming dry and cracked.
4. Following a diet high in vitamin A is important to eliminate the dryness of lips. Intake of vitamin A is necessary for a healthy skin and lips. However, vitamin A should not be taken in excess, as it can aggravate the condition. There is no need to take vitamin A supplements, if the daily diet includes foods such as carrots and green leafy vegetables.
5. An easy to implement home remedy involves use of cucumber slice. Basically, cucumber, by nature is cold and hence helpful to clear away the dryness in lips. Simply rub a cucumber slice on cracked dry lips to relieve pain. Cucumber acts as a great moisturizer and is useful to restore softness on the lips.

On the whole, keep in mind that moisturizing the lips with proper skin care products is necessary to heal cracked dry lips. Extremely dry lips that do not respond to aforementioned treatment methods, and require consultation with a dermatologist. This is because a skin condition known as cheilitis, can also turn the lips scaly and dry.

In such cases, proper treatment needs to be devised to eliminate this painful condition

1. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, and moisten the air in your home with a humidifier.
2. Avoid licking your lips. Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving lips drier than before you licked them. If you tend to lick your lips, avoid flavored lip balm — which may tempt you to lick your lips even more.
3. Protect your lips. Use an oil-based lubricating cream or lip balm containing petrolatum or beeswax. Before going out in cold, dry weather, apply lip cream or balm that contains sunscreen — and then cover your lips with a scarf. Reapply often while outdoors.
4. Ensure your body is not deficient in B vitamins, iron or essential fatty acids. These deficiencies can cause scaling of lips and cracking of lip corners. Take a multivitamin/mineral supplement after consultation with your physician.
5. If in spite of water intake your lips seem dehydrated, apply cool wet cloth to hydrate lips. Also try to seal in the moisture with a lip balm. Apply lip balm every hour or two to treat dry lips and to keep them healthy. Use balm with spf of at least 15 to save your lips from sun damage.
6. Use a soft toothbrush to softly buff your lips to remove the deposit of dead cells that will cause more drying and flaking.
7. Creamy lipsticks can act like balms and prevent your lips from chapping. Avoid using lipsticks that can dry out your lips.
8. Ordinary Vaseline works wonders. It prevents sun blisters as well if applied before venturing into the sun.

Chapped lips can be a problem. To prevent it try to put lip balm or chapstick before you go to bed.  When you wake up the next morning your lips will be smooth and soft. Also in the morning apply lip balm and add a clear gloss of lip gloss. (It doesn’t have to be clear). You can also use sunscreen and put them on you lips if you wish. Try these tips and hopefully you will see the difference in a couple of days.