by What you may not be aware of, however, is that many hot drinks – whether tea, coffee, cocoa or your favorite hot cocktail – can have a similar detrimental effect on your lips.
Indeed, while hot drinks in moderation may not be enough to cause problems (read: there is absolutely no need to completely discard your favorite oatmeal breakfast), consuming them from sunrise to sunset can affect your fig. This is because overexposure to hot liquids can weaken the lipid barrier (natural skin fat) on the surface of your lips, says certified dermatologist Tracy Evans, MD, MPH, FAAD, Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology . A key function of the lipid barrier is to retain moisture, so anything that disrupts it can lead to dehydration. “Some people drink coffee or tea or even lemon water all day, which can lead to transdermal water loss,” says Dr. Evans.
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According to Dr. Evans, while your lips can dry out if they are constantly exposed to any kind of moisture, even from cold drinks, the heat can cause the lipid barrier to break down even faster. Even a sip of a scalding drink can be enough to burn your lips and tongue, he says – oh. “We are always worried about water being lost when the skin barrier is broken. So if you always drink and hot drinks can be worse than anything else, you will always expose your lips to some water loss, “adds Dr. Evans.
Beverages such as coffee containing caffeine, a known diuretic, can aggravate the problem by causing systemic dehydration. “You see it on your lips very quickly,” says Dr. Evans.
All of this is due in part to the fact that the skin on your lips is thinner than the skin on the rest of your body. “The skin of the lips is mucous skin, so it has a very high absorption and is also more exposed to the elements,” says Dr. Evans. “If you think about why your lips crack in winter, when your skin is not so cracked, it is because the skin of the lips is very thin. And when it is wet, this barrier function is affected, which would keep things out. “
Dr. Evans also warns that if you unconsciously find yourself constantly licking your lips when they are dry, you could end up with an even more uncomfortable inflammatory condition known as lip-licking dermatitis, which is caused by exposure to saliva.
However, according to Dr. Evans, you can avoid dry, chapped lips just by being aware of how many hot drinks you consume on a daily basis, keeping your body hydrated and also remember to apply a lip treatment containing mineral oil or oil base – think Aquaphor – between sips of latte or herbal tea. He is also a big fan of lip products that contain moringa oil.
“You have to be careful if you drink a little [hot drinks] “Every day,” says Dr. Evans. “You also want to always apply something that is protective and be aware that you are not overdoing it.”
Do you want to relax with the habit of hot drink? Try making this cold flowing water:
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