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Why do lips dry out?

Before looking for a way to quickly moisturize your lips, you should find out the cause of the problem. Depending on what formed the basis for the lack of moisture, you can choose a suitable remedy for complete restoration.

Causes of dry lips:

1. Harmful environment. Cold, heat, windy weather and poor air quality. Cold and heat provoke a decrease in moisture in tissues. The condition worsens during strong winds.
2. Stress. Situations when a person is very nervous and involuntarily licks his lips (a standard human reaction). The saliva that covers the delicate skin dries quickly, drying out the problem area.
3. Medicines that affect the salivary glands, for example, drugs aimed at reducing appetite.
4. Oral care products with high fluoride content. The element is characterized by a dehydrating effect. Thin skin is not able to retain moisture for a long time, as the dermis does on other parts of the body.
5. Cosmetics: long-lasting lipsticks, matte formulations, tints and products with a dry/powdery effect. Pigments for artistic makeup. Powdering for better durability of conventional products speeds up drying.
6. Unhealthy lifestyle: poor nutrition worsens the situation with vitamin saturation of the whole body. Lack of water (maintaining water balance is the key to health), alcohol, and tobacco are harmful.
7. Diseases that cause dry mouth. These include allergic reactions, lip burns, dental diseases, inflammatory pathologies, bacterial and hormonal diseases.

Excessive dryness can be caused by a cold with a profuse runny nose and nasal congestion. With frequent inhalation and exhalation through the mouth, the lips become chapped and dry. During such a period, it is especially important to know how to keep your lips moisturized.

Why do lips crack and peel, and what can you do about it? Expert advice

We asked dermatologists what to do if your lips peel and crack, and how to properly care for them if the balm does not help.

Experts:

• Olga Fem is a cosmetologist-esthetician with a medical education, the founder of the website kosmetologa.net.
• Alexander Prokofiev is a dermatovenerologist, medical expert of the La Roche-Posay brand.
• Svetlana Kovaleva is a dermatologist and cosmetologist.
• Evgenia Reshetnikova is a dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist, and head of the medical department at Sesderma.

What causes lips to become dry and flaky?

Most often due to improper care. For example, lack of protection when it is needed.

The fact is that lips are deprived of natural defense mechanisms. This zone is a transition zone between the skin of the face and the oral mucosa, so the skin here has an atypical structure. It is thinner (three layers, not five, no shiny or grainy). The upper stratum corneum is also very thin, and complete keratinization does not occur in it (which is why the lips are soft). The skin of the lips does not contain melanin and is not able to reflect the effects of sunlight. It has a reduced ability to accumulate and retain water. Moisture evaporates much faster than from other areas of the face, and this leads to dryness, flaking, and the risk of inflammation.

Okay, this is in general, but more specifically, why do peeling appear?

There are external and internal reasons. External:

1. You do not use balm before going outside in cold weather (frost, wind). It creates an occlusive film on the surface of the lips, which prevents moisture evaporation and serves as a protective barrier.

2. You do not use a balm with SPF during periods of increased solar activity.

“Because the skin of the lips does not contain melanin, it cannot tan, but it can get burned. A burning sensation and dryness appear,” explains Evgenia Reshetnikova. “ An ordinary balm, without a sun protection factor, does not work here. On the contrary, you risk increasing the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation : the balm, like a lens, will increase exposure to rays.

It is advisable to use a balm with SPF in winter, especially if you are into mountain sports: snow reflects the sun's rays. Apply the product before going out into the sun and reapply every 1.5-2 hours.”

3. Dry air at home and in the office . It is known that hot dry air (from batteries, heaters) dries out the skin. But cold (from the air conditioner), according to experts, is no better.

“It is advisable to maintain humidity at 40-60%,” advises Olga Fem. “Unfortunately, 30% in an apartment in winter is a common occurrence. Buy a humidifier if possible."

4. You lick or bite your lips when you're nervous. Try to keep an eye on this.

5. You breathe through your mouth , and this quickly dehydrates your skin. We need to fight the cause of nasal congestion.

6. You regularly go to a dry (Finnish) sauna, a swimming pool with chlorinated water, and often swim in the sea . The same advice - use balm.

7. Frequent and unnecessary use of lip balm.

Olga Fem: “ Balm and hygienic lipstick are not products for regular care, but for temporary protection. With constant use, they worsen the condition of the lips. Why is that? A barrier film on the surface of the skin prevents moisture evaporation. In certain situations this is useful - for example, in the cold. But, in general, evaporation is a natural physiological process. If the balm is constantly on the lips, the cells do not receive a signal that the natural barrier needs to be repaired - after all, there is an artificial one on the lips. Over time, this leads to the fact that you cannot do without chapstick at all. It’s similar to the situation with smoking: another cigarette quickly relieves discomfort, but it also maintains addiction. How to break the vicious circle? Stop using balms and hygienic lipsticks for no reason.”

“Balm is a means for temporary protection, and not for regular care,” - Olga Fem

8. You unknowingly apply facial care to your lips . If it's a regular moisturizer, no problem. But acne treatment products (especially those with retinol and its derivatives) can cause dryness and flaking when they come into contact with the skin of the lips.

9. When brushing your teeth, the paste gets on the skin of your lips. Menthol and eucalyptus essential oil, even with minute contact with lips, provoke dryness.

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In addition, there are internal causes of dry and flaky lips:

1. Dehydration of the body . “It can occur if a person drinks a lot of coffee and little clean water or abuses alcohol,” says Olga Fem.
2. Chronic stress.
3. Frequently recurrent episodes of herpes infection.
4. Gut microbiome disruption.
5. Allergic reaction to cosmetics, food, medicines.
6. Excess or deficiency of vitamins and minerals.
7. Drug therapy. In particular, such side effects sometimes occur when taking Roaccutane.
8. Skin diseases - dryness can be a sign of exacerbation of atopic dermatitis, eczema, neurodermatitis, psoriasis.
9. Cheilitis is a general term for inflammatory processes of the skin of the lips of various types. They occur against the background of individual hypersensitivity to UV rays or frost, hyperfunction of the salivary glands, immunoallergic changes, anxiety and depressive disorders and other factors.
10. Other chronic and infectious diseases. We won’t list them so as not to scare you, but many pathologies are accompanied by dry lips.

How can you understand that your lips are peeling, for example, due to dry air, and not some kind of disease?

“If the peeling is not very strong, most likely it is caused by bad weather, dry air or the habit of licking your lips,” says Alexander Prokofiev, “But if redness, thickening, burning, disturbance of the skin texture, cracks appear, you need to consult a dermatologist.”

If the problem is episodic or seasonal - for example, it arose with the onset of cold weather, during a vacation at the seaside, or you started going to the pool or using matte lipstick more often than usual - you also don’t have to worry.

“After eliminating the cause or adjusting the care, this dryness will go away on its own,” says Olga Fem. “If you don’t notice any changes after a month, it’s better to go to the doctor. Not necessarily to a dermatologist, but to a therapist. The main thing is not to think about the worst. If there are serious problems in the body, most likely, dryness and flaking will not be the only symptoms. More likely, it’s a matter of insufficient or improper care.”

“Cracks are a more severe symptom than peeling. It’s best to immediately contact a dermatologist,” - Alexander Prokofiev

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Why does the skin of the lips not just peel off, but crack? What to do about it?

“Cracks are a more severe symptom than peeling. It’s best to see a doctor right away,” says Alexander Prokofiev. Svetlana Kovaleva insists on the same thing: “Do not self-medicate, go to a gastroenterologist and endocrinologist. Cracks on the lips always indicate the presence of a secondary infection. They can occur against the background of various deficiency conditions and diseases - from lichen planus to diabetes mellitus and oncology.”

What to do right now, before the doctor sees you?

Avoid irritating (salty, spicy, sour) foods for a while. Do not tear off skin flakes and crusts. ​​​​​​​"You can apply an over-the-counter wound-healing, antibacterial agent that is allowed to be used on the outer mucous membrane - says Svetlana Kovaleva - For example, Topicrem Cica or Avene Cicalfate+ restorative cream, or La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 balm."

• Expert tip: Topicrem Cica revitalizing cream
• Expert tip: Avene Cicalfate+ Revitalizing Cream
• Expert tip: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 balm

What causes cracks in the corners of the lips?

Evgenia Reshetnikova: “This is how angular cheilitis manifests itself (in everyday life they say “jams”), it occurs when there is a bacterial or fungal infection of the lips. The causative agents can be streptococci or fungi of the genus Candida. I don’t recommend treating cheilitis on your own; this should be done by a specialist.”

They say that earwax helps with sticking in the corners of the lips. Is there any explanation for this? What does it contain?

There are two types of earwax, dry and wet. Research confirms that the dry form has antimicrobial properties. It contains immunoglobulins and peptides that prevent the development of bacteria and fungi. On the contrary, wet earwax creates a breeding ground for bacteria and promotes their proliferation.

The type of earwax is determined genetically. It is believed that the descendants of Europeans often have wet sulfur, while those from East Asia tend to have dry sulfur.

Why do children have cracked lips?

“Most often due to fungal microflora or against the background of atopic dermatitis, cheilitis is one of its symptoms. You need to consult a doctor,” repeats Svetlana Kovaleva.

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And if you drink vitamin A, vitamin E or a complex, will your lips recover faster? And in general, is it useful for prevention?

Lips can actually peel due to a lack of vitamins A, E, D, B12 and iron. But you can take any vitamins, microelements and complexes only as prescribed by a doctor, subject to a deficiency confirmed by laboratory tests .

“Having discovered signs of iron deficiency (pale skin, circles under the eyes), you can eat and drink all imaginable dietary supplements and not get results, because at the same time there was a lack of vitamin B and carrier protein,” explains Svetlana Kovaleva. Her opinion is supported by Evgenia Reshetnikova: “If you choose your own vitamins and their dosage, there is a risk of getting hypervitaminosis and corresponding negative consequences.”

“Yes, you can read on the Internet that some person took vitamin E, and it helped him,” continues Svetlana Kovaleva. “But a lack of vitamin E causes peeling and cracked lips in a very small number of cases. Most likely, that person was lucky by chance. The same applies to traditional methods of treatment: those who have been helped declare it publicly. The other 50 people who felt no better, or even worse, are unlikely to write about it on the Internet. It’s embarrassing to admit that you applied, for example, melted fat to your lips and hoped that it would help.”

So in the end – how to take care of your lips? How often can I use the balm?

Check list:

1. Apply the cream to your lips morning and evening.

Which cream to use - a special one for the lips or an existing one for the eyelids - is at your discretion. Dermatologists have different opinions.

“There are special lip creams, but personally I think this is not necessary,” says Olga Fem. “You can use a moisturizing or anti-age eyelid cream. The skin around the eyes is also thin and sensitive, and products designed for this area are suitable for lip care.”

Svetlana Kovaleva believes that eye creams can be applied around the lips - but not on the lips.

“If the manufacturer does not directly indicate that the product is suitable for the red border of the lips, then you should not apply it there. When you drink tea, have lunch, or simply lick your lips, the cream will get onto the mucous membrane and into the gastrointestinal tract, and potential risks are not monitored. For example, insulin is released when glucose enters the oral mucosa at a normal acidity level of pH7. If the balance changes, it has a negative impact. Therefore, I advise you to use only those creams that are specifically designed for lips. There is no 100% guarantee that all of them were tested for oral use (since we are talking about cosmetic care, not a medical drug). But at least there is confidence that the manufacturer took this scenario into account when developing the product.”

• Expert advice: Moisturizing cream-protector for lips Silcses, Sesderma. Price – 1525 rub.
• Expert advice: Instant lip balm + prolonging cream activator Fillderma Lips, Sesderma . Price – 3530 rub.
• Total Lip Treatment lip cream . Price – 6505 rub.
• Editor's Choice: Arctic Hydra Care Rich Lip Cream, Lumene. Price – 665 rub.
• Editor's choice: Wine Elixir lip cream, Apivita. Price – 2228 rub.

2. To determine how often to use a balm, choose which of the following descriptions best describes your lips:

Option A) - During the year, your lips are more often in normal condition than in problematic condition. Usually they don't bother. Dryness and peeling appear sporadically.

Option B) – During the year, your lips are more likely to be in a problematic condition. They regularly dry out and peel, and this does not depend on the season. They always want to smear something on them.

If you chose option “A”, use the balm when:

• going outside in cold windy weather;
• going to the beach / for a walk in the city during maximum solar activity (renew balm with SPF every 1.5-2 hours);
• skiing/snowboarding on a sunny day (SPF!);
• go to the sauna or swimming pool.

• Topicrem Ultra-Moisturizing Lip Balm . Price – 537 rub.
• Regenerating barrier balm for children and adults Cicaplast, La Roche-Posay . Price – 528 rub.
• Expert tip: Repaskin Lips Sunscreen SPF 50, Sesderma . Price – 1990 rub.
• Editor's choice: Nourishing lip balm Apaisac, Biorga. Price – 495 rub.
• Editor's Choice: Neutrogena Lip Balm. Price – 250 rub.
• Editor's Choice: Carmex Lip Balm. Price – 350 rub.
• Editor's choice: Lips 101 lip balm, Lanolips. Price – 1290 rub.
• Editor's choice: Nutricia Baume Levres Cocoon Balm, Payot. Price – 1595 rub.
• Editor's choice: the Lip Balm, La Mer. Price – 5300 rub.

If you chose option “B”, a dermatologist should advise you on the balm and the mode of its use.

“There are people who have a tendency to cheilitis. They need to use preventive balms every day, sometimes several times a day. For selection, you should consult a dermatologist,” recommends Svetlana Kovaleva.

3. Drink more water, less dehydrating drinks (coffee, soda, energy drinks).

4. Get rid of the habit of licking your lips and biting off dry scales. This prevents your skin from recovering normally.

Additionally: it is useful to buy an air humidifier and do self-massage. “In the lip area is the orbicularis oris muscle. Massage of this area activates metabolic processes, improves blood circulation and the appearance of the lips. In this video I show how to do it,” Olga Fem.

What about lip scrubs? Are they useful?

“If you are not concerned about the condition of your lips, you do not need to exfoliate them with anything additional. The skin is renewed naturally. If you feel the need to scrub, then there’s probably a reason? Peeling? – says Svetlana Kovaleva. “In this case, you need to diagnose what’s wrong. The scrub will not affect the cause of the problem, but may injure thin skin. I am convinced that scales should never be removed by force. Very high risk of subsequent pathological processes. Only softening and moisturizing with special balms and creams.”

Olga Fem believes that, if necessary, you can use soft enzyme peels without abrasive particles - the same ones that are intended for the face (but try not to lick your lips!) They are less traumatic compared to scrubs.

If I wear lipstick or gloss every day, does it have a bad effect on my lips? Even when they are claimed to be moisturizing?

Mineral oil/wax based lipsticks and lip glosses can work as a protective barrier in the cold. But using them daily will most likely lead to dryness. Moisturizing components evaporate after 1-2-3 hours (depending on the specific product). After this, it is advisable to update the lipstick, but not everyone does this and not always.

Evgenia Reshetnikova: “Most glosses and lipsticks do not contain SPF and do not protect against ultraviolet radiation. Quite the contrary: the pigments included in their composition are often photosensitizers and increase skin sensitivity to the sun.”

I heard that they are now injecting hyaluronic acid to moisturize (not plump) the lips. Worth a try?

They work on the principle of biorevitalization: they introduce hyaluronic acid into the skin, which becomes less abundant with age. The moisturizing effect does not last long, about 1-1.5 months. Since in the body this polysaccharide is broken down by enzymes.

“Such manipulations should be discussed individually with a cosmetologist. I believe that they are justified in cases of age-related deficiency of hyluuronic acid, a decrease in the quality and quantity of collagen, and weakening of muscle tissue. In other cases, it is better to use therapeutic methods,” says Svetlana Kovaleva.

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Stupid question: what condition of the lips is considered normal?-) Maybe they are fine, but I consider them dry because I have seen enough photoshopped portraits on Instagram?

The norm is considered to be a condition that does not cause discomfort.

“It’s easy to check whether you are properly caring for the skin of your lips,” says Olga Fem. “In the morning, wash your face with filtered or boiled water and do not apply any cream or lipstick to your lips. It's better to choose a day when you can stay home.

If you take proper care of your lips, one day without cream and balm will not lead to dryness. You won’t feel the urge to apply anything, you’ll feel comfortable.”

Our experts:

Olga Fem

Cosmetologist-esthetician with medical education, creator of the website kosmetologa.net, Instagram – @olgafem. YouTube channel – Cosmetologist.net.

Svetlana Kovaleva

Dermatologist, cosmetologist, Educational.

Evgenia Reshetnikova

Dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist, head of the medical department of Sesderma.

Alexander Prokofiev

Dermatovenerologist, medical expert at La Roche-Posay. Works in . Participated in clinical trials of drugs.

Instagram @dr.prokofyev

What should healthy lips look like?

Those who know how to moisturize their lips can boast of their naturally beautiful appearance. The natural red hue is due to the location of blood vessels near the surface.

Signs of healthy lips:

• smooth skin;
• smooth texture;
• pleasant natural shade;
• no peeling or cracking.

Healthy lips have even, uniform pigmentation without light or dark areas. Healthy skin looks elastic, it is not prone to irritation, peeling and allergies.

If a whitened area is detected, it means that the delicate skin does not receive enough hydration or there are not enough vitamins in the body:

• A,
• E,
• WITH.

First you need to learn how to use the right cosmetics. This applies to all people, because even if there are no problems with the lips, a careful attitude will not be superfluous.

You need to be able to choose the right cosmetics. And the first thing people pay attention to is the composition. Oil-based products should contain only natural ingredients:

• jojoba oil,
• cocoa,
• shi,
• nut oils.

It is best to buy products at a pharmacy or labeled “pharmacy product”. This means that cosmetics:

• passed dermatological tests,
• approved by experts
• considered safe.

In addition to moisturizers, there are small life hacks to improve the color and contour of your lips.

Shock freezing is often used: using ice to massage the lips. With prolonged exposure to cold, the appearance of the lips deteriorates, but short periods of exposure to shock cold cause the capillaries to expand sharply. Blood flows closer to the skin and provides:

• more active saturation with oxygen and nutrients,
• more saturated lip color.

The most common advice for lip care is the use of special lipstick. But there are several ways to moisturize your lips without chapstick.

Main reasons

The development of dryness is influenced by several factors - both external and internal.
The result is cracks, dried crusts, and pain when moving the lips. To return the skin condition to normal and get rid of discomfort, you need to eliminate the root cause. Weather conditions largely influence the condition of your lips:

• due to frost and wind, moisture evaporates faster from the surface of the skin,
• ultraviolet radiation negatively affects tissues, which causes dryness,
• due to dry and hot air, the epidermis loses moisture faster,
• sudden temperature changes also have a negative effect on the skin. This is especially noticeable in autumn and winter, when the warm air in the apartment gives way to cold air outside. The same goes for eating food that is too hot or too cold.

The appearance of dryness is also affected by:

• bad habits: alcohol, smoking,
• mechanical impact: biting, licking, pinching (this problem is observed among musicians who play wind instruments),
• insufficient fluid intake,
• deficiency of vitamins, most often A and E: because of this, the regeneration of the epidermis is disrupted,
• pregnancy, when dryness appears due to toxicosis.

This is why lips get dry! However, the problem is not always related to external influences. Sometimes this can be a symptom of serious illnesses.

If dryness does not go away even with prolonged moisturizing, it is most likely due to internal factors. In this case, it is better to consult a doctor and identify the cause.

Treatment of cheilitis

This disease requires special treatment, depending on the cause, type and degree of the inflammatory process. The main methods of treating cheilitis:

• local treatment of the surface of the skin of the lips with disinfectant solutions, ointments, vitamin oil solutions;

• physiotherapeutic methods: Bucca radiation, ultrasound, laser therapy;

• a course of vitamin therapy;

• rinsing the mouth with decoctions of medicinal herbs.

If necessary, to eliminate the causes of the disease, specialized specialists may be involved: a dermatologist, an allergist, an infectious disease specialist.

Reasons for the development of cheilitis

The main causes of the disease include:

• Dermatoses seem to be the most common cause of cheilitis. Skin diseases such as psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, syphilis, tuberculosis, lichen, also often provoke inflammation of the red border of the lips.

• Thyroid diseases.

• Allergies to various kinds of external factors, professional activities.

• Adverse weather conditions.

• Hereditary predisposition.

• Decreased immunity, gastrointestinal diseases.

Herbal and natural active ingredients to treat dry and chapped lips

Lips are an important element for facial beauty, participating in verbal and visual communication, as well as food consumption. However, the skin of the lips is 5 times thinner than the skin of the body, so they need to be given special attention.

The lethal weapon against chapped lips and optimal hydration throughout the day is lipstick! Make it a rule to use paraben-free and paraffin oil-free lipstick because when there is too much of it, the skin rejects it, which increases dryness. Long-lasting shiny, matte or very dark lipsticks can prevent your lips from breathing.

Lip balm can also provide a layer of protection against the adverse effects of wind and cold. It can be used with confidence even when we are staying at home to lock in moisture inside the lips, while providing additional hydration due to the active ingredients it contains (especially if the balm is of good quality and contains essential oils).

Lip balm not only prevents dehydration, but also closes cracks on the lips, thereby preventing them from becoming infected.

Be careful, as many products found in lipsticks and lip balms can cause dehydration and aggravate irritation. This is the case with:

1. Aluminum salts, menthol, eucalyptus, phenol and camphor. Menthol, camphor and phenols only cause a state of imaginary comfort, and sometimes even increase dehydration.
2. Silicone oil is another very common ingredient (it's also found in lipsticks and glosses for added longevity), but it only promotes dehydration.
3. Salicylic acid (although it has proven anti-inflammatory properties) in balms can promote dry lips and flaking.
4. If you have acne-prone skin, it is best to avoid cosmetics containing petroleum jelly. Although this substance is very effective for dry lips, some users with acne-prone skin claim that these products can clog pores too much and contribute to the appearance of blackheads.

An equally interesting article: These home remedies for dandruff cost mere pennies, but the benefits from them are worth a million!

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Types of cheilitis

All types of cheilitis are divided into two groups:

• symptomatic (cheilitis, as a manifestation of the underlying disease);

• true (as an independent disease).

Types of symptomatic cheilitis and their clinical manifestations

The symptomatic group includes the following types of cheilitis:

• Eczematous - develops against the background of eczema, characterized by redness, swelling, burning and pathological changes in the skin of the lips. If left untreated, it becomes chronic.

• Macrocheilitis - this form of cheilitis is considered a component of Melkersson-Rossolimo-Rosenthal syndrome. There is severe itching and swelling of not only the lip, but also other parts of the face.

• Atopic - a predisposition to allergies to medications and food is a prerequisite for the development of inflammation. It manifests itself as peeling, redness, itching of the skin of the lips, and the formation of cracks in the corners of the mouth.

Types of true cheilitis

True cheilitis includes:

• Contact - manifests itself as a result of the body’s reaction to contact with an irritant: cosmetics (determined mainly in women), the bad habit of holding a pen or pencil in the mouth, professional activity (musicians due to prolonged use of the mouthpiece of a wind instrument) Characterized by redness, itching, feeling burning, swelling of the lips.

• Actinic - involves the development of an inflammatory process as a result of special sensitivity to natural phenomena: sunlight, wind, frost, radiation. It manifests itself as small blisters or erosion, swelling of the red border. This type of cheilitis is also called meteorological.

• Exfoliative - occurs mainly in women. The development of pathology occurs against the background of depression, anxiety, and various disorders of the nervous system. The main symptoms are dryness, severe, prolonged peeling of the lip border. Exfoliative cheilitis has two forms: dry and exudative. With exudative inflammation, crusts form, causing pain in the patient.

• Glandular - occurs against the background of hypertrophy of the minor salivary glands. This phenomenon can be congenital (appears after puberty) or acquired as a result of chronic inflammation. There is a risk of suffering from glandular cheilitis in people with periodontal disease, numerous carious cavities, after lupus erythematosus, and leukoplakia. It is initially characterized by increased dryness, which does not disappear with the use of hygiene products. Later - the presence of cracks due to the constant exposure of saliva to the red border of the lips. 20-30% of patients with glandular cheilitis develop squamous cell carcinoma. It is necessary to take a responsible approach to the treatment of this disease and seek qualified help from doctors in a timely manner - surgical intervention may be required.