Are lip balms addictive? Experts weigh in
| Feb 1, 2019, 11:20 IST
While winters are slowly paving way for the impending heat, chapped lips remain a perpetual part of our lives. We grab on a lip balm and smack on it on lips. If the lip balm claims are to be believed, a layer of the product should last you half a day at least. But there you are, smacking another layer in less than half hour. Apparently, it’s a global phenomenon, which gave rise to a popular conspiracy theory – are lip balms manufactured to be addictive? Medical professionals and self-proclaimed weighed in to bring a conclusion, finally.
Dr. Nazanin Saedi, assistant professor and director of laser surgery and cosmetic dermatology at Jefferson University Hospitals says, “I don’t think using it makes you use it more. Some like the way it feels and that makes them use it more, to maintain that smoothness.” She further added, “When that moisture evaporates, they keep licking and that compromises the barrier, causing more irritation, making it easier for anything to cause irritations like rashes around their lips,” However, she did say that the balm industry has gone crazy and one needs to be careful of the ingredients before they pick one up for themselves.
However, according to the founder of Lip Balm Anonymous, a group that aims to dispels the ‘wrongdoings’ of lip balm companies, is of completely opposite opinion.He says, “There is enough anecdotal evidence that people are using it habitually,” he said. “With medicated lip balms like Carmex, if you look at the packaging, it says it’s for cold sores. It has drying agents in it, and if your lips are dry, you want more and more of it.”
Dr. Nazanin Saedi, assistant professor and director of laser surgery and cosmetic dermatology at Jefferson University Hospitals says, “I don’t think using it makes you use it more. Some like the way it feels and that makes them use it more, to maintain that smoothness.” She further added, “When that moisture evaporates, they keep licking and that compromises the barrier, causing more irritation, making it easier for anything to cause irritations like rashes around their lips,” However, she did say that the balm industry has gone crazy and one needs to be careful of the ingredients before they pick one up for themselves.
However, according to the founder of Lip Balm Anonymous, a group that aims to dispels the ‘wrongdoings’ of lip balm companies, is of completely opposite opinion.He says, “There is enough anecdotal evidence that people are using it habitually,” he said. “With medicated lip balms like Carmex, if you look at the packaging, it says it’s for cold sores. It has drying agents in it, and if your lips are dry, you want more and more of it.”
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