Like any other organ, lips also get vitiated by Vata, Pitta and Kapha, causing various symptoms. Dryness or chapping of the lips are some of the common lip problems that all of us face, but did you know that Ayurveda explains about eight categories of lip disorders ranging from swollen lips to cysts in the lips and its treatments in detail. Here are some concise information about common lip problem and their remedies.
Common problems of the lips:
Darkening of the lips: Darkening of the lips could be due to several reasons. Smoking, excess caffeine intake, exposure to sun and harsh chemicals on the lips pigment the lips. This is called the hyperpigmentation of the lips and is usually associated with the Vata dosha. Some hormonal imbalances also can lead to the darkening of the lips.
Dry lips: Dryness of the lips is also due to vata dosha. Dry weather, lack of moisture, some chemicals in the lip products and smoking are also reason for dry lips. The dryness can also crack the lips and lead to bleeding of the lips.
Cold sores: Cold sores are caused by a particular type of virus strain called the HSV-1. It is the Herpes Simplex Virus. Cold sores are tiny fluid-filled blisters on and around the margins of the lips. It is contagious at eruptive stages when there are active blisters on the lips.
Stress and certain food also trigger cold sores. Anti Viral medications and herbs, and hygienic practices can prevent and treat cold sores of the lips.
Lip Fissures: Fissures are deep cuts that occur at the angular corners of the mouth. It can be very painful and even bleed at times. Deep fissures on the lips can also occur in patients with Down syndrome, but the most common cause is infections like dermatitis or inflammatory conditions like psoriasis. Low levels of Vitamin B and Zinc can also lead to lip fissures. It is also due to the aggravation of Vata Dosha.
Boils on the lips: According to Ayurveda, boils on the lips are due to the increased Pitta dosha. The boils may occur on the outer margins of the lips or the internal mucosa. Hand, foot and mouth disease, mucocele and Fordyce spots on the lips can also cause bumps on lips.
Bleeding lips: Bleeding of the lips could be due to increased pitta or Vata dosha, causing dryness and eventually cracking and bleeding. Excessive exfoliation also leads to bleeding in the lips. Dehydration, mineral deficiency and some allergies may also lead to bleeding of the lips.
Itchy lips: Itchy lips is often due to allergies or allergens in cosmetics. Some fungal infections like candida also cause itchiness in the lips. Itchy lips, according to Ayurveda, is due to the involvement of Kapha dosha.
Diet and lifestyle habits to get pink lips naturally:
- Include a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet. Fruits and veggies containing B3, B6 and beta carotene help rejuvenate the skin cells and the lips.
- Take nuts and seeds regularly. Nuts and seeds are rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, helping keep your lips soft and supple.
- Cut down on caffeine and quit smoking.
- Stay hydrated. Lack of drinking water can cause dry and chapped lips.
- Use lip products and cosmetics made of natural ingredients. Using many chemical products on your lips also darkens the lips and makes them dry. Lip tints are a good option. The Ayurveda Co. Lip and cheek tints with natural ingredients are great options.
- Avoid wetting the lips frequently with saliva, which can also dry the lips.
- Limit sun exposure.
- Use lip gloss containing SPF
- Remove makeup/ lip stains at night before going to sleep.
- Follow a lip care routine with exfoliation and lip moisturizer.
Exfoliation means gently removing the dead skin cells and debris from the lips. Exfoliation involves using any granular particle to scrape off the dead cells. It should ideally be done by using sugar granules or powdered nutshells. Walnut shell powder or apricot seed powders are generally used as natural exfoliants for the lips. These granules are mixed with any oil or cream-based ingredients to prevent lips from getting dry. The Ayurveda Co. lip scrubs are made with shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil and walnut shell powder. It is available in two flavors as beetroot and Vitamin C.
How to use a lip scrub?
Scoop out a generous amount of lip scrub and apply it on your lips, mildly massaging it gently in a circular motion for 30 seconds to 1 minute to remove dead skin from the lips. Wipe it with cotton wool. Once the chapped skin gets removed, use a lip moisturizer.
How often can you use a lip scrub?
A lip scrub can ideally be used once a week, but you may increase the frequency of use depending upon the severity of chapped lips. Excessive scrubbing may lead to abrasions in the delicate tissue of the lips, bleeding and dryness.
Make exfoliating the lips a part of your weekly skincare routine.
Benefits of using a lip scrub regularly:
The benefits of exfoliating lips regularly are uncountable.
- It eliminates dry and flaky skin on the lips giving it a smooth and shiny look.
- Exfoliation helps better penetration of lip balm to provide maximum hydration to the lips.
Moisturizing the lips:
Moisturization of the lips can be done with a lip balm or a lip butter. Go for a lip butter that does not contain petroleum jelly or bee wax. Lip butter with organic ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, candelilla wax provides ample and deep moisturization for the lips in winters.
A lip balm for chapped has to be used twice or thrice a day as required. Shea Butter has anti-ageing properties that reduce lip lines and pigmentation. Cocoa butter heals the skin. The plant-based essential oils used in lip treatment balms provide moisture to the lips. Sometimes, our lips tend to bleed due to dryness. In such situations, this lip treatment balm is your go-to product. It is free from harmful chemicals and is dermatologically tested. Beetroot lip balm for dark lip restores the natural color of your lips, thereby making them soft and replenished. Indian Rose Lip balm for chapped lips contains real rose petals and gives you plump and hydrated lips. The Lip care combos of lip scrub and butter are beneficial even for men.
How to choose a lip care product?
- It should be free of artificial preservatives and colors.
- Light and easy to apply.
- Should contain SPF
- It should be devoid of petroleum derivatives.
Home remedies for soft and pink lips:
- Applying rose petals ground with milk or cream lightens the lips and prevents chapping.
- Apply coriander leaf juice on your lips also lightens the lips.
- Sour foods like yogurt, tomato juice, citrus fruits and Apple Cider Vinegar can be dabbed on the lips to get pink lips naturally.
- To prevent dry and chapped lips, apply a generous amount of natural oils like coconut oil, ghee, butter or olive oil over the lips.
- Massaging the naval at night with a few drops of almond oil moisturizes the lips.
- Applying beetroot or pomegranate juice over the lips also makes the lips pink.
Why should you not use petroleum jelly on your lips?
Petroleum jelly might look like an easy option to hydrate your lips. But it is derived from oil refining and does not have a nourishing action on the lips. Move to better organic alternatives with lip balms containing cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil and candelilla wax.
To get the Rosy and plumpy lips, remember to follow these tips. We are sure you will ace that No Makeup look naturally!
