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In the pink of health
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Cold weather makes the lips dry and flaky. With regular care you can keep them soft and smooth
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For those luscious lips
COME WINTER and the most common problem that you encounter is dry lips, which often leads to peeling of the skin. If proper care is not taken, the lips tend to darken.
The lips have a thin and delicate covering of mucous membrane, and unlike the skin on the rest of the body; lips do not have oil glands to keep them lubricated. This lack of natural protection makes them vulnerable to chapping. Apart from cold weather, dry air, exposure to sun and air-conditioned environment also lead to dry lips. Biting and the habit of keeping the lips moist with saliva make the lips flaky.
Some other causes of dryness:
* Use of unhealthy cosmetics. This is a common cause. Do not go in for unknown brands. Test your lipstick by applying it behind your ears. You may be allergic to a particular brand or even to a particular shade.
* Toothpaste — the colour compound in your toothpaste can be harmful.
* Chapstick and lip balm, especially the flavoured and coloured ones are not advisable.
* Certain soaps can be harsh on the lips.
* Smoking darkens the lips.
* Vitamin B deficiency or taking a heavy dose of antibiotics without vitamin supplements or going on a crash diet can aggravate dryness.
* A bad stomach depletes the body fluids and the first signs are dry lips.
Lip care
Do not forget to cleanse your lips to remove make-up. Apply an almond-based cream. Leave it overnight. It helps to soften the lips and also improves its colour tone. For home remedy, you can use almond oil or pure ghee and sunflower oil used for cooking.
Dos and don'ts
* Avoid medicated and flavoured lip balms. Look for lip balms that contain moisturising ingredients such as petrolaturn, lanolin, cocoa butter or aloe vera juice.
* Change to a white toothpaste.
* Stop using soap and switch to a face wash.
* Avoid smoking.
* Use petroleum jelly or Vaseline frequently.
* Use a good brand of lipstick with Vitamin E in it. Lipsticks help to protect your lips. However, if your lips are chapped, stop using a lipstick for some time..
* Avoid biting chapped lips. It can lead to swelling of the lips, and may even cause infection and bleeding.
* Avoid using dry skin care products especially those formulated with benzoy peroxide and alcohol.
* Have food products with vitamin B-complex. Riboflavin that belongs to the B-Complex family is good for the lips. Include the following in your diet:
* a tablespoon of sprouted gram at breakfast time. You can make these sprouts at home by soaking whole green moong dal, black gram or karamani in water overnight; then transfer to a muslin cloth, tie it up and hang. Sprinkle water on it regularly. The sprouts will be ready in 2-3 days. These sprouts are rich in vitamin B-Complex. Use liberally in salads. Steam them, add lemon and onion, or best eat them raw. If you do not have the time or inclination to eat sprouts, take a B-Complex supplement.
* Eat a green leafy vegetable such as spinach (keerai) at least three times a week.
* Meat, liver and whole grains are good sources of Vitamin B6.
* Buy a packet of wheatgerm flour and add it to 5 kg of regular wheat flour (atta). It works wonders.
* Lastly, make a habit of snacking with a fruit when you are hungry. Fruits are rich not only in vitamin and minerals but also micronutrients.
If the condition of your lips still do not improve, then you probably need to see a dermatologist.
LILY MADHOK
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