Lip Cancer: To Gloss or Not to Gloss?

Your wonder gloss may be the ultimate summer beauty must-have, giving your pout an extra shine without the waxy feel of your lipstick and lip balm… but these shimmery sticks can greatly boost your risk for – Lip Cancer.

An old news about it have been released, telling women to be safer than sorry, yet sometimes, it feels good to break some rules.  When your very health is at stake, there is no time for guesswork.  You don’t have to pay the high price for a tube of your favorite gloss.

Studies have found out that your shiny lip gloss actually attracts light and harmful UV rays due to its reflective surface.  Most of these glosses are oil-based, which means having to fry your lips until it sizzles under the pressure of the heat.

Women nowadays can’t seem to live without lip gloss.  It is the gloss which completes the look, giving them an ultra chic kissable lips.  It is then a matter of choice between what is good and what looks good.  There is a vast difference between the two.

Those with fairer skin are more prone to lip cancer, and if ever you find yourself with a lesion or wart on your lower lips, consult your doctor immediately to rule out cancer.  Don’t ignore any discoloration, flaking, or peeling.  The damages caused by sunlight and the chemicals in your innocent tube of gloss can expose your risk to cancer agents.  Smoking can also aggravate your risk.  UV rays also shrinks your skin’s elasticity, making it hard for your upper and lower lips to align properly, which can cause saliva and germs to fill up the corners of your mouth.  This is why we see small warts starting to break out at the corners.

Does It Mean Good-Bye to Lip Glosses?

There are lip balm and lipstick alternative which can give you an extra shimmer, without the risk.  But if you truly love your gloss, don’t forget to coat your lips with an SPF30 lip balm, before putting a top coat of gloss.  In this way, you protect your lips from premature aging and lip damages brought by sun exposure.

Always be careful to read your labels and choose products that are naturally healthy for your skin.  Sun damage can be very fatal, if you don’t care enough to splash your skin with a healthy dose of sun screen. Also, be very wary of the chemicals used on your sun protection products which can do more harm than good.  You can always opt for Paraben-free, filler-free products that uses natural ingredients.

Some lip gloss may boast of SPF protection but their efficiency will only work – half of the amount stated.  For example, if you see an SPF 30, you’ll only be getting 15.  Get your SPF source somewhere else and make it your lip primer.

Lip cancer is not a matter to be taken for granted.  Imagine having your lip tissues removed by surgery and how you will cope up after it.  Is that extra shine worth this trouble?

Seal Your Lips with Smart Choices!