Lip balm might seem like a small item, but it can have a big impact on how your lips feel and look. It can help keep your lips healthy, soft, and protected.

Lips are a sensitive part of our body and can easily get dry, cracked, or chapped. Unlike other parts of the skin, lips don’t have oil glands, which means they can’t produce natural oils to stay moist. This makes it important to take care of them with the right products, like lip balm.

Here’s why using lip balm every day is a great idea and how it can help you maintain beautiful and healthy lips.

1. Keeps your lips moisturised

One of the most important benefits of using lip balm is that it helps to keep your lips moisturised. Since lips don’t have oil glands, they rely on outside help to stay hydrated. Lip balms often contain ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax, which help lock in moisture.

This can stop your lips from feeling dry and uncomfortable. By applying lip balm every day, you ensure that your lips stay soft and smooth, especially during cold or dry weather when they are more likely to become chapped.

2. Protects your lips from the sun

Just like your skin, your lips can get damaged by the sun’s harmful rays. Many lip balms have SPF (Sun Protection Factor), which can help shield your lips from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sun exposure can cause your lips to become sunburned, causing dryness and peeling.

3. Helps heal cracked lips

Cracked lips can be painful and annoying. They can happen because of cold weather, wind, or not drinking enough water. Using lip balm can help heal these cracks faster. Lip balms create a protective barrier on your lips, preventing further damage and allowing them to repair. Ingredients like vitamin E and aloe vera are often found in lip balms, which help soothe and heal cracked lips. Applying lip balm daily can prevent cracks from appearing in the first place.

4. Makes your lips look healthier and plumper

Using lip balm every day can make your lips look healthier and fuller. Moisturised lips naturally appear more plump and vibrant. Some lip balms even have a slight tint or shine that can enhance the natural colour of your lips, making them look more attractive without needing any other makeup. Healthy, well-moisturized lips can boost your confidence and make you feel good about your appearance.

5. Prevents premature ageing of lips

Just like the rest of your skin, your lips can show signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles. By keeping your lips moisturised and protected, you can prevent premature ageing.

Lip balms with antioxidants like vitamins C and E can help fight free radicals that cause ageing. Regular use of lip balm keeps your lips looking young and fresh, helping to avoid the signs of ageing before they start.

So, keep a lip balm handy and make it a habit to apply it every day. Your lips will thank you for it!

A report published Wednesday by the American Cancer Society has uncovered a connection between certain common infections and the development of cancer. These infections, primarily triggered by viruses, pose a significant risk to human health.

Viruses, incredibly small organisms comprising DNA or RNA enveloped in a protein coating, can infiltrate living cells and commandeer their reproductive machinery. By integrating their genetic material into the host cell’s DNA, viruses can disrupt normal cellular function.

When viral DNA or RNA interferes with the host cell’s genes, it can propel the cell toward cancerous transformation. This process can lead to unchecked cell proliferation, tumor formation, and potentially, cancer.

Below are four common viral infections classified as carcinogenic to humans:

1. HPVs
2. Hepatitis B
3. Hepatitis C
4. HIV

• Human papillomaviruses (HPVs)

HPVs are the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) which causes warts in various parts of the body including skin, mouth, throat and vagina.

Among the over 150 viruses that cause HPV, a dozen (12) have been found to increase the risk of oral, cervical, and genital cancers.

HPV is found to be responsible for more than 90% of anal and cervical cancers, about 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers, and 60% of penile cancers.

Most sexually active people will be infected with HPV at least once in their lives. Using condoms can protect against the infection.

However, vaccination offers the strongest protection against HPV and prevents more than 90% of HPV cancers.

It has been recommended to get vaccinated before being sexually active. Two or three doses of the HPV vaccine from age 9 to 26.

• Hepatitis B and C

These viral infections attack the liver and cause inflammation. They are mostly spread by contact with contaminated blood, semen, and other body fluids as well as breastfeeding.

When Hepatitis B and C become a long-term infection in one’s body, it increases the chance of liver cancer.

These infections eventually lead to cancer when the liver cells are highly inflamed and there is a buildup of scar tissue in the liver called cirrhosis.

Hepatitis C is the infection more likely to cause chronic infection that leads to liver damage or cancer. Hepatitis B can be cured in a few months after being treated.

To reduce the risk of liver cancer, it is recommended to get tested for Hepatitis B and C at least once in a lifetime from age 18.

When tested positive for any of the infections, using several preventive drugs is important as they help prevent the risk but can not cure the infection.

Also, there is an effective vaccine for Hepatitis B but none for Hepatitis C.

The Centers for Disease Control and Protection recommends the HBV vaccine for all children and adults up to age 59, as well as those who are older and at risk of HBV exposure.

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). It can be spread through semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and breast milk from an HIV-infected person.

This virus does not cause cancer directly but because it weakens the immune system and cells that fight against the virus, it increases the risk of getting several types of cancer.

A weak immune system will let other viruses like HPV survive long enough to grow into a life-threatening tumour.

HIV has been linked to several cancers including cervical cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, skin cancer, and cancer of the mouth and throat.

To prevent HIV and its prolonged effect, the CDC recommends that HIV tests should be part of routine healthcare for people between the ages of 13 to 64.

There is no vaccine for HIV but there are preventive measures. The measures include not having unprotected sex or sharing needles with someone who has HIV.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians to the recall of Dove beauty bar soap.

In a statement on Monday, Mojisola Adeyeye, the NAFDAC director-general, said the 100g soap with batch number 81832M 08, produced in Germany, was recalled due to chemical impurity.

Adeyeye said the soap does not comply with the cosmetic products regulations because it contains butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), which is prohibited due to its risk of harming the reproductive system, causing harm to the health of an unborn child, and skin sensitisation.

“As a result, a ban on the marketing of the product has been placed by some regulatory and public authorities in the EU,” the statement reads.

”Other Dove cosmetic products recalled/banned in other countries due to the presence of BMHCA are Derma Spa Goodness, Men Care, Men Care+ Sensitive Shield, Natural Touch, Nourishing Body Care Light Hydro, Pampering Body Lotion, Go Fresh, Talco con Crema, Go Fresh Pera, Extra Fresh, Goodness3 Skincare Ritual, invisible dry antiperspirant spray + Go Fresh Revitalize nourishing shower gel, Caring hand wash, and invisible dry.

“Importation of soaps is prohibited in Nigeria as per the restricted and import prohibition list.

“Beyond the import restrictions, soaps and cosmetics are parts of the items ineligible for foreign exchange to import in Nigeria.
These products are also not available in the NAFDAC database.

“Importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the above-mentioned products.

“Members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue the sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“Healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to report adverse events experienced with the use of regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office, via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng, e-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng, or via the Med-Safety application for download on android and IOS stores.”