Vancouver Makeup Artist answers– Is lipgloss related to lip cancer?
I am sorry to tell you this ladies but its true! Scientists announced a strong link between wearing lip gloss and getting lip cancer. Recent studies have shown that lip cancer has double in women who wear lipgloss or shiny lip balm. Dermatologist Christine White of Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas has stated that shiny lip balm and gloss increases risk of skin cancer and that people do not realize the risk they put themselves in when they use the shiny lip balms and glosses. Because our lips do not have the pigment melanin, the pigment in our skin that acts as a natural sunscreen, our lips are more susceptible to chronic sun damage and are prone to develop cancers. Wearing shiny lip balms and lip gloss will actually act as a magnifying mirror making you more at risk for lip cancer.
What can you do to protect yourself?
As a makeup artist in Vancouver one of the products I use most regularly is lip gloss. I have an obligation to keep up with current literature, and know about these studies pass on that info and keep actors and clients safe. Just like before applying foundation you would apply a good sunblock, you must do the same for your lips. Find a lip balm with SPF 30 and apply that to your lips before you apply your gloss! Most people assume that this should be done only in the summer when then sun is out. You always need to protect you lips, as there are harmful UV rays all year round, even when the sun is hiding behind the clouds (in our dreary Pacific Northwest winters). Be smart and wear SPF balm!
I hope this information is useful to you. I would love to hear your feedback!
-Vancouver Makeup Artist
April 17th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Hi!
Thank you for this post, you have perfect timing with the summer coming up! Keep it comin’!
April 18th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Great post. How about some tips for men? Maybe not makeup specifically, but other stuff like how to keep your skin looking good, etc.
- Paul
April 18th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Dear Paul,
Thanks for your question. Being a makeup artist in Vancouver I always make sure that male actors and clients are also wearing a lip balm with SPF protection as well as sunblock. Again, I recommend wearing that all through the year, even when the sun is hiding behind the clouds.
Since most men don’t wear makeup, I recommend using a very light cleanser on your face, something like Cetaphil, which will clean your face of any dirt accumulated through out the day but won’t strip your face of natural oils. Most makeup artist will tell you to moisturize everyday, but I have a different take. I have learn from many dermatologists that we should only moisturize when our face feels a bit dry. Over moisturizing can cause our skin to stop producing natural oils.
I hope this helps and would love to hear feedback.
-Vancouver Makeup Artist
April 18th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Where do I find “Cetaphil”? Is it something I can get at a grocery store, or like The Bay / Sears, London Drugs? Or is that something you get at a specialty store?
-Paul
April 18th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Yes you can find Cetaphil at London Drugs or Shoppers Drug Mart.
-Vancouver Makeup Artist
May 4th, 2009 at 2:56 am
Hi, good post. I have been pondering this issue,so thanks for writing. I’ll definitely be subscribing to your posts.