So for people who suffer from these sores, lip protection can reduce their likelihood of appearing. Lips need to be protected from the sun all year 'round. Although the level of burning UVB rays declines substantially in cooler months, harmful UVA rays remain at relatively constant levels throughout the year. Lips can suffer even on cloudy days, since clouds don't filter UVB rays. Most of us know that the sun is reflected off sand and water, intensifying its burning effects, but the same is true for snow.
Most dermatologists recommend the use of lip care products containing sunscreens.
It is important to apply these lip care products at least one-half hour before going into the sun and to reapply them frequently during exposure. An SPF number indicates how many times longer a person can stay in the sun before beginning to burn while wearing a sunscreen, as compared to how long it would normally take to burn. SPF 15 provides 15 times lips' natural protection against UVB rays. For ultra-protection, use an SPF 30 product that provides 30 times your natural protection. If you're pool or beach bound, make sure the sunscreen you use is waterproof, providing protection even while in the water for 80 minutes or more.