Your lips are vulnerable to sunburns and chronic sun damage that can cause pain and increase your chances of developing skin cancer. The lower lip is 12 times more likely to be affected by skin cancer than the top lip. There are many ways you can treat sunburned lips and prevent burns from happening.

Can the sunburn your lips?

“Lips, just like any other sun-exposed area of the body, if unprotected from sun's ultraviolet radiation long enough, can get sunburned,” says the dermatologist. But what you may not realize is that your lips may be more sensitive than other parts of the body.

What does sun damage on lips look like?

Sun-damaged lips are sometimes dry and scaly and feel like sandpaper. These changes are considered precancerous, particularly if the lip surface thins, reddens, and develops sores (ulcers). Sun-damaged lips with such changes should be evaluated by a doctor or dentist.