If you have lips, you are probably aware of how sensitive they are. But do you know why that is? “Lips are exquisitely sensitive bits of tissue. The part of the brain responsible for detecting touch is called the somatosensory cortex, and is found on the top of the brain in an area called the postcentral gyrus. Touch sensations from all over the body get sent there to be processed, with each part of the body getting its own little sub-division along the postcentral gyrus, and the size reflects the density of receptors rather than the amount of skin available to touch. For example, the part devoted to sensations from the chest and stomach is fairly small. Meanwhile, the parts that process sensations from the hands and lips are enormous. Just as the hands are a central conduit with which we experience the world, so too are the lips.”[1] But lips aren’t just for kissing—we use them for a variety of uses in our every day lives. “Lips allow us to chew and swallow with our mouth closed; to hold onto things like nails and clothes pegs, and to suckle at the breast. But even more importantly, our lips are used in communication. They allow us to smile, to bare our teeth and to kiss. They are also required for about half of the phonemes we use in normal speech, as any ventriloquist will attest.”[2] However, because our lips are so sensitive, that means they are much more susceptible to damage. Think about the winter months when you sometimes have to fight to keep your lips from chapping—ouch!

            What can you do to keep your lips soft and healthy? Check out the three tips below to keep your kisser in top form:

1. Don’t lick your lips. When our lips are dry, it is tempting to lick them for fast relief. However, licking your lips has the opposite effect. When the saliva dries on your lips, it actually makes the problem worse due to the enzymes in your saliva intended for digesting food that can irritate sensitive skin.[3]

2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! In the past, we have discussed the importance of hydration for your body, and this is very true for sensitive areas like your lips. “Water affects the moisture levels in your body all year long. Less water means less saliva production, which can make your lips feel really dry. Lily Talakoub, M.D., dermatologist at McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center in Virginia, recommends you drink two glasses before each meal (or about six to eight glasses a day). Tea is another option, but make sure it doesn’t have caffeine in it. Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning that it encourages fluid to leave the body, which in turn will cause your lips to feel dehydrated.”

3. Don’t pick your lips! If you have dry lips, do not pick them! It can be tempting, but this will only make them worse and can lead to other complications. Simply remember to drink water and apply something nourishing like petroleum jelly that will lock in the moisture to help repair your lips.

            What are your favorite ways to keep your lips hydrated and healthy? Let us know in the comments and on social media!

[1] Goldman, Jason G. “Future - Evolution: Why Do We Have Lips?” BBC, BBC, 14 Jan. 2015, www.bbc.com/future/story/20150112-why-do-we-have-lips.

[2] Ashworth, Hannah. “Why Do We Have Lips?” BBC Science Focus Magazine, www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/why-do-we-have-lips/.

[3] Team, Family Health. “6 Tips to Protect Your Lips from the Cold.” Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, 4 Aug. 2016, health.clevelandclinic.org/6-tips-to-protect-your-lips-from-the-cold/.