With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, navigating relationships in lockdown will mean that you are either Zooming in on romance this year or popping open the champagne at home. Either way, the good news is that romance is still alive, with 61% of people saying that lockdown has made them realise relationships are the most important thing in their lives.[1]
If you are lucky enough to be living with your love in lockdown, there’s more good news – in a study by researchers from Arizona State University[2], couples who had been instructed to kiss more reported higher relationship satisfaction, experienced less stress and had lower total serum cholesterol levels in their blood.
So, whether you’re getting ready to pucker up IRL or virtually, check out our trusty “lip tips” to get smooth, kissable lips!
Knock out cold (sores)
Cold sores are a common lip issue that can cause pain and make you feel extremely self-conscious. During the Winter months cold sores can be more common as there are more known triggers such as a weakened immune system, stress, and extreme weather conditions.
Changes of temperature and air moisture can dry out your lips, making them more vulnerable to a blister outbreak. During the Winter, you are generally more susceptible to getting ill and feeling low.
1 in 5 people experience recurring cold sores[3] and one-third of people affected with a cold sore develop a blister at the affected site which can be highly infectious and can take up to 12-14 days to heal. Thanks to an advance in heat technology, there is a new chemical-free option called HERPOtherm® available for the treatment of cold sores. This pocket-sized saviour – shaped like a lip balm stick for convenience and to avoid stigma – produces a concentrated temperature of approximately 51 degrees centigrade to reduce symptoms of itching, tingling, tightness, burning and pain. When compared to creams containing aciclovir, HERPOtherm® can reduce the duration of cold sore blisters by 50% or prevent their development completely, if applied early enough[4].
As cold sores spread through contact with infected people a Valentine’s kiss is definitely not on the cards if you have a cold sore! It is best to wait until after the scabs and sores completely disappear and your lips and mouth are back to normal before you kiss someone.[5] To help treat your cold sore HERPOtherm® are offering a limited time offer of £5 off from the 7th to the 14th of February – just in time for Valentine’s Day!
Re-nourish your lips…
If the cold winter weather has left you with a dry, chapped pout you are definitely not alone. The skin on our lips is delicate, making it susceptible to the harsh, cold elements. So, some extra TLC may be required before the big day! The combination of the chilling air mixed with the warmth of our cosy homes makes it an ideal environment for blisters, cracks, and sores.
Applying lip balm is a simple way to prevent cracks and dry skin on your lips. When searching for a treatment look for a balm that does not contain camphor, eucalyptus or menthol as in the short term these may help, but long term could dry out your lips and worsen the issue.
Hydration is key!
Drinking plenty of water and using a humidifier in your home can help to provide your lips with the moisture they need. You can also try an at-home remedy, like applying honey to your lips to soothe, heal, and lock in that much needed moisture! As tempting as it may be, try not to lick or pick at your lips if they are chapped. When you lick your lips, your saliva will evaporate alongside your lips’ lasting moisture and dry them out even further – not a good look! Resisting the urge for a morning coffee or an evening G &T will also help to reduce dry skin as alcohol and caffeine are diuretics that cause dehydration.
After hours healing powers
Despite the effect of the weather during the day – whether that’s harmful UV rays or a harsh wind – surprisingly our lips get driest at night. This is because lips flush out any toxins overnight and produce new skin cells. Using lip balm or butter before bed will keep your lips moisturised overnight whilst protecting your brand-new skin cells. Vitamin E is a hugely beneficial ingredient included in some lip care products; it helps maintain healthy skin and supports the body’s immune system to fight against illness and infection.
References
[1] https://www.relate.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/2020/7/20/nation-divided-new-statistics-show-uks-lockdown-relationship-realisations
[2] 3 Scientific Findings About Kissing for Valentine’s Day | Psychology Today
[3] https://patient.info/childrens-health/viral-skin-infections-leaflet/cold-sores
[4] Nassaji m et al., Eur Res J 2019. 5(3):545-549
[5] https://www.forhims.com/blog/kissing-and-cold-sores-rules
