Lip balm, a product we use every day without a second thought, might not be the benign product we think it is. It has truly hydrated and protected my lips. It can do serious unintended damage, leaving your heart in a sad place. This article takes a closer look at this cosmetic double agent, arming you with information on both its feel-good elements and its nasty surprises.
Consumers seem happy to knead it into lip balm tubes or other topical treatments for dry or cracked lips. This silky, rich product brings together skin-loving ingredients such as shea butter, lanolin, and beeswax. It provides deep hydration and creates a soothing shield from extreme environmental stressors. These components can help smooth and soften the lips, providing true comfort.
Using lip balm can be an issue in itself. Much like texting your ex after a few drinks, busting out the lip balm can be a mistake you’ll regret. The regular use eventually leads to a cycle of reliance that ends up making lips feel even worse as time goes on. Rather than bringing long-term benefits, overuse can actually increase dryness and irritation.
For those who need more incentive to stop licking their lips, lip balm is the perfect resource for overcoming the licking habit. This new action can make things even drier and chappier, a detrimental cycle. Overuse of lip balm can cause you to treat the symptom instead of the root problem.
The risk of infection The other big safety issue with wearing lip balm is the risk of infection. When members of the public lick their lips and frequently reapply lip balm, they’re introducing bacteria to the sensitive epidermis of their lips. This can cause inflammation and pus-filled sores. This problem can progress dramatically fast, putting users at risk of deeply painful, life-threatening infections that demand urgent emergency room treatment.
Imagine explaining this dilemma to a chemist on a Monday morning after a weekend filled with licking one’s lips, applying lip balm, regretting the actions taken, and ultimately facing an infection. Such a scenario illustrates the complex relationship many have with this seemingly innocuous product.
In addition to the physical aspects, the psychological aspect of lip balm addiction plays a role. Everyone has an emotional reaction to their product that’s tied to comfort and nurturance and compassion. When people get stuck in this cycle of reliance, they’re left defeated and stressed out over their lip health. These feelings take a major toll on their physical and emotional health. This understudied emotional toll may add further complicate the situation.
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