Brushing Lips with Toothbrush: Does it have any health benefits?

Does brushing lips with a toothbrush have any health benefits? Well, the good news is that “it does.” So, when next you want to brush your teeth, you could also try brushing your lips.

When you brush your lips with a soft toothbrush, flaking skin will be exfoliated and this will help prevent chapped lips. Brushing lips with a toothbrush can also stimulate the flow of blood, and smoothen your lips.

This article will examine the benefits of brushing your lips with a toothbrush, and how best to avoid irritation.

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Does brushing lips with a toothbrush help to remove dead skin cells?

A light brushing of the lips can help pull off dead cells from your skin. Using an exfoliant makes it better. However, when brushing your lips, do it gently.

Your lips have very thin and sensitive skin. Compared to other parts of your body, your lips do not produce oil to moisten them. You may be tempted to lick your lips when your lips start to get dry. Licking your lips frequently can get them irritated.

Excessive brushing of the lips or over-exfoliating can make them dry. You’re better off brushing your lips once weekly.

The right way to brush your lips

You’ll need a soft-bristled toothbrush and an exfoliant to brush your lips. You can also apply a moisturizer such as olive oil or an exfoliant.

It is easy to prepare natural exfoliants using basic ingredients like coffee grounds, baking soda, oatmeal, and toothpaste. What an exfoliant does is cause light friction against the lips. Doing so will rub the dead skin cells off your lips.

Here’s the right way to brush your lips:

1. Use warm water to wet the lips
2. Spread an exfoliant thinly on your lips.
3. Brush lightly with your toothbrush. Brush in small circles.
4. Use warm water to wash away the exfoliant.
5. Moisturize your lips with a moisturizer.

Stop at once if you feel irritated when exfoliating.

Ingredients to avoid when brushing your lips

If you have a history of chapped lips, then you should avoid any product that contains the ingredients listed below. The American Academy of Dermatology warns that these ingredients can dry your lips:

• Propyl gallate
• Salicylic acid
• Menthol
• Phenol
• Octinoxate
• Camphor
• Perfumes & flavors
• Lanolin
• Eucalyptus

Is it okay to brush your lips with toothpaste?

Yes! Brushing your lips with toothpaste is okay. Toothpaste is gentler compared to other exfoliants. However, you should remember to rinse off the toothpaste to avoid dryness and irritation.

Flavors and additives in toothpaste can trigger allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms of this allergy include sores in mouth corners and peeling lips.

Does brushing lips with a toothbrush make them bigger?

Brushing your lips with a toothbrush will not make them bigger. At least this hasn’t been proven by any scientific study. However, brushing your lips can increase blood supply to the lips – temporarily. If you brush to make your lips fuller, you’ll end up irritating your skin.

The following tips can help you maintain healthy-lips:

• Stay hydrated
• Always apply Vit E
• Boost healing to your lips by applying aloe vera
• Use balms that contain cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil
• Boost circulation by using peppermint oil
• Remove your lipstick before going to bed
• Be sure to use a primer before applying lipstick.

Other methods of exfoliating your lips

You may discover that brushing your lips can cause the skin to crack, or may also cause irritation. So, instead of exfoliating with a toothbrush, you can apply some exfoliant and rub gently with the tip of your fingers.

Or, you may just stop exfoliating and use products that can soothe or moisturize chapped lips. Examples of these products include:

• Coconut oil
• Glycerin or castor oil with lemon juice
• Petroleum jelly
• Cocoa butter
• Beeswax

In conclusion:

Gentle brushing with a toothbrush can rid your lips of dry skin and smoothen its appearance. However, excessive brushing of your lips can irritate the skin. Do not brush your lips more than once every week.

The following tips can help you to avoid getting dry lips:

• Do not lick your lips
• Avoid scented or flavored lip balms
• Before going out in the sun, ensure you use a lip balm with SPF
• Avoid licking your lips.

Cover your lips with a scarf to protect them from cold air.