International Kissing Day 2017: 3 Summer Lip Care Tips For Better Kisses
There's a holiday to celebrate basically everything, so naturally there’s one for locking lips: July 6 marks International Kissing Day. According to the holiday’s Facebook page, “ The idea behind the International Kissing Day is that many people may have forgotten the simple pleasures associated with kissing for kissing's sake, as opposed to kissing as mere social formality or prelude to other activities.”
While there are many factors that make a kiss enjoyable, proper lip care is undoubtedly one main contributor. And in the summer, you’ll want to pay special attention to your lips as they face harsh elements - damaging ultraviolet rays, and wind, sun and salt from lying on the beach. Here are three lip care tips to keep your lips soft and healthy for better kisses.
Focus On Hydration
"When exposed to moisture, they absorb water and plump up. When dehydrated, they dry out and shrink," Bruce Bart, a doctor in Minneapolis, Minnesota, explained to Shape. The magazine advises drinking plenty of water, roughly nine cups a day, to keep your entire body hydrated. Dermatologist Jeannette Graf offers Allure a few tips on how to buy a good summer balm. "Lip balms with SPF are waxier than glosses and adhere better,” she said. “They also tend to be less reflective," she said. You might want to steer clear of options with menthol that can dry out lips.
Protect with SPF
You might not hear about lip cancer often, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a real threat. According to Everyday Health, it’s a type of oral cancer that most frequently appears as a basal or squamous cell cancer. "Most lip cancer forms on the lower lip. Lip cancer on the upper lip is more rare, but also more dangerous," Nader Sadeghi, MD, told the website. Men are six times more likely than women to be diagnosed and it’s usually found in white men who spent years working outside. "The best way to prevent lip cancer is to protect yourself from long sun exposure with a broad-brimmed hat and use of a sunscreen," Sadeghi said. Many lip balms are developed with SPF, so be sure to check the label and you can skip on slathering actual sunscreen on your lips.
Try Out Facial Yoga
Yes, this is a thing. According to beauty website The Gloss, face yoga enthusiasts believe it can make your facial muscles remain firm and smooth and also promotes fuller lips. The website spoke with Yoga instructor and author Annelise Hagen about simple exercises that can be performed anywhere. Hagen recommends blowing kisses while using your hand to create pressure against your lips. She claims that the act of puckering and pressing creates muscle resistance. Hagen also says that blowing smoke rings and letting your mouth rest into a natural smile can help keep lips healthy and young.