|
Anti-Aging and Your Lips
Among the telltale signs of aging are the lines that form around the lips. But it's the lips themselves that are really revealing.
Lips have an very thin protective outer layer. As the body ages, the thin layer becomes progressively thinner. The slow loss of the water and oil barrier that keeps the lips moisturized and hydrated can age your lips faster than other areas of the skin. Lips require more moisturizing and conditioning as they get older, therefore it is particularly important to protect aging lips. People are surprised to find out that some cumulative damage to the lips and the skin resulting from years of over-exposure to the sun, cold air and harsh weather can be reversible. Reintroduce your lips to moisture and then protect them carefully to minimize, and in some cases you can even reverse the effects of aging on the lips. Just as you should protect your face, protecting lips from the sun is essential. Using a product with a sunscreen rating of at least SPF 15 (15 times lips natural protection) or greater is recommended. Collagen is the protein that gives lips body and resilience. Sun damage, even if it is not visible on the surface, can alter its composition and lead to wrinkles. Baby-boomers are increasingly looking to products with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) to fight their wrinkles. Wrinkles on and around the lips require a delicate touch. But creams containing AHAs formulated for the face are too harsh for sensitive lip skin. No one can erase all the effects of time, but as baby-boomers approach the half-century mark and beyond, they are proving in increasing numbers that you can age gracefully and beautifully. Disclaimer: this website is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for a professional medical diagnosis, opinion or suggested course of treatment. Please see your health care professional for a professional medical opinion, and refer to our Disclaimer regarding your use of this website. |