Take the RealAge Test or sign in to find out how old you really are.
 

RealAge Tip

Cover Your Lips

Rating: 4 out of 5
Could cancer on your lips sound any less appealing?

Then cover your mouth. More than 60 percent of regular sunscreen-users skip their lips. But faithfully applying -- and reapplying -- SPF to 'em could reduce your risk of skin cancer there by half.

Nothing to Smile About
Many of us learned the hard, blistery way that every little sun-exposed part of our bodies -- from the tops of our feet to the tips of our ears -- needs equal sun protection. But since many of us forget our lips, it's no wonder that they're a surprisingly common spot for squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common type of skin cancer. (Here's how to make sure you're using your sunscreen right.)

Slather Selectively
Be picky about what you put on your lips. Dermatologists believe wearing shiny lip gloss can actually attract more UV rays to your lips. So use an SPF-fortified lip balm and reapply several times a day -- including after eating or swimming and whenever you touch up your lipstick. Here are the SPF ingredients to look for.

Wish you could undo summer damage and get younger-looking skin? Take the RealAge Skin Care Quiz and find out how.
RealAge Benefit: Safely getting enough sun can make your RealAge as much as 1.7 years younger.

References Published on 08/01/2008.
Preventing ultraviolet light lip injury: beachgoer awareness about lip cancer risk factors and lip protection behavior. Busick, T. L. et al., Dermatologic Surgery 2005 Feb;31(2):173-176.

Solar radiation, lip protection, and lip cancer risk in Los Angeles County women (California, United States). Pogoda, J. M., Preston-Martin, S., Cancer Causes and Control 1996 Jul;7(4):458-463.

EDITOR'S PICK


This SPF 45 lip balm uses minerals (titanium, zinc), not chemicals, to block the rays -- so it's great for sensitive skin. Complete UVA/UVB protection; goes on a little white but quickly fades to near-natural. Want to wear lipstick too? No problem.

Got a favorite product or invention of your own? Tell us: Products@RealAge.com

 
Click stars to rate.

Rate This Tip

Tips from the RealAge Community MemberTipsIcon
What are your tricks for making sunscreen application less messy?
Sort by:
greenthumb...
8 of 8 people found this helpful.
9/26/2008 5:42:35 AM

Neutrongena has come up with a Dry-Touch sunblock. It's not as greasy feeling and soaks in quickly. That's what I've used this past summer [Show More]
Gardener-1
48 of 48 people found this helpful.
8/1/2008 5:45:59 PM

My husband had a sore he thought was a cold sore on his lower lip. It didn't heal so he went to the doctor and the doctor immediately said [Show More]
FitAt45
36 of 36 people found this helpful.
8/1/2008 4:32:06 PM

Don't forget the part on top of your head if you part your hair. I never used to put sunscreen on it, never thought about it, but a year ago [Show More]
Add Your Tip
Sign in to find out how young or old you really are and to create -- or review -- your RealAge profile and inbox.

Want more? Search all our tips by topic or interest.

Subscribe Icon Subscribe to receive RealAge Tips by e-mail.   SUBSCRIBE

    Add RealAge Tip of the Day to your site.

WATCH VIDEOS  RealAge Video  »
RealAge Healthy Eating Stealthy, Healthy Veggies VideoRealAge Healthy Eating Stealthy, Healthy Veggies Video
How to sneak vegetables into family meals.

FIND RECIPES »

asparagus
In Season: Asparagus.
High in folate. Big in taste.
 

GET ANSWERS »