Have a Sunburn Blister on Your Lip? Derms Share What to Do

Our beach day packing lists are fairly standard: a towel, a book or Kindle, some headphones, a hat, and a bevy of SPF. From simple SPF lotions and sunscreen sticks to sun-protecting facial mists and even shimmering body oils with SPF 30, there are so many ways to stay covered from head to toe. While sun care overall is more popular than ever, we’ve noticed one product in particular is easier to forget: lip SPF. Yes, you actually need sunscreen for your lips: After all, they’re part of the skin, and no skin is immune from the sun’s harmful rays. But when you forget or forgo that SPF lip balm, you might end up with a sunburn blister on your lips—and we’ve got tips for getting relief. Ahead, we asked dermatologists all about sunburn blisters, from what they are to how to treat and prevent them on your lips.

What Is a Sunburn Blister?

According to board-certified dermatologist Teresa Song, MD, sunburn blisters are small, fluid-filled bumps that appear on severely sunburned skin. And we mean severely—the blister forms as a result of a sunburn equivalent to a second-degree burn, says double board-certified dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD. Sunburn blisters tend to show up more uniformly across an entire affected area, and usually present with pain, redness, and swelling. They can also leave behind pigmentary changes.

While we don’t usually think about our lips when it comes to sun protection, the thin, delicate skin makes the area even more susceptible to sun damage compared to other parts of the body. And because the lips are somewhat prone to sunburn, they’re also susceptible to sunburn blisters.

When it comes to sunburn blisters on the lip, it’s important to differentiate them from cold sores, which also present as fluid-filled bumps. As Song explains, cold sores are viral infections that can be activated on the lip after sun exposure but tend to be clustered in a specific area, whereas sunburn blisters are generally present across the entire sunburn.

Causes of Sunburn Blisters on Lips

According to Song, sunburn blisters can occur on the lips from prolonged sun exposure without proper protection, such as if you missed using SPF or didn’t reapply enough. They’re more likely to occur when you’re surrounded by reflective surfaces that can intensify UV ray exposure, such as snow, sand, or water. Song also notes that some topical ingredients found in lip balms, like fragrances and certain colors, can lead to chemical activation under UV rays, contributing to irritation and blistering on the lips. For this reason, both Song and Patel emphasize the importance of wearing and reapplying a lip balm with SPF in it regularly whenever you’re exposed to UV rays.

How to Treat Sunburn Blisters

When it comes to treating a sunburn blister on your lip, what to do and what not to do are equally important. Our top tips are as follows:

• Don’t touch: First off, do not pop, lance, or pick at the skin—open blisters increase the risk of infection and irritation—which can make your concern more unsightly and uncomfortable than how it started.
• Avoid irritation: While you give your sunburn blister a chance to heal, Song also suggests avoiding potential irritants, like citrus fruits, spices, and lip plumping products.
• Practice good hygiene: As a general rule of thumb, both dermatologists recommend keeping the area clean (you can use mild soap and water) and well-hydrated to speed up the recovery process.
• Use soothing products for relief: If your sunburn blister is uncomfortable, gently apply a cool compress to reduce pain and inflammation, then follow up with a soothing aloe vera sunburn gel or over-the-counter hydrocortisone lip balms to soothe skin and promote healing.
• See a doctor if necessary: If the condition is particularly severe with excessive swelling and pain, Song suggests seeing a doctor to discuss potentially using prescription-strength topical steroids.

Healing time varies, though the good news is skin on the lip typically recovers faster than skin on the body: Song says to expect it to take around one to two weeks. Keep in mind that avoiding further sun exposure is critical, as the area has an impaired barrier and is more easily irritated, even after healing.

How to Prevent Sunburn Blisters on Lips

You can prevent sunburn blisters the same way you prevent sunburns—with limited sun exposure and ample protective measures. Seek shade, avoid peak sunlight hours, and wear protective SPF gear, like a wide-brim hat. Both doctors also suggest using an SPF lip balm and reapplying it every two hours, or even every hour when highly exposed to the sun.

When looking for an SPF lip balm, Patel suggests opting for at least SPF 30. It’s crucial to apply some sort of sunscreen to the lips when directly exposed to the sun—lip skin is delicate, and skin cancer is as much of a risk on the lips as it is on the body.

The Final Takeaway

We can’t over-stress how important it is to use SPF on your lips regularly, just as with your face and body. If you don’t, you might end up with sunburn blisters, which can be uncomfortable and damage the skin barrier. That being said, if you already have sunburn blisters, simply follow our above tips to gently promote healing while getting a bit of relief—then be sure to take your SPF lip balm with you next time you’re heading out.