Like a magnificent work of art, a beautiful smile looks best with good framing.
This summer, as we come out from behind masks, and can smile with our eyes as well as our mouths, there are a few ways to make sure you put your best smile forward.
Let’s talk lip care
A dazzling smile invites us in and draws the eye. But, dry and cracked lips from sun and aging can ruin the effect. The good news is that it’s easy to restore the suppleness and moisture to our lips, even in the driest weather.
Exfoliate your lips weekly
Lips. They are such an important part of our bodies, but how they suffer. In the winter, the dry heat from furnaces causes them to chap, while frequent sun exposure in the summertime dries them out. Some people lick their lips frequently, which strips moisture from lips. One of the ways to clear the dead skin from your lips is by exfoliating them. There are over-the-counter products that will do the job, but there are DIY solutions in your very own home. Start by applying some lip moisturizer to your lips then use a clean toothbrush to brush over your lips. Here’s a quick tutorial.
Use lip balms daily
Sun, heat and UV rays can wreak havoc on your lips. Keep a good moisturizing lip balm close at hand to make your lips soft and supple. There are lots to choose from. Make sure to look for ingredients like glycerin which holds onto moisture, and occlusive agents like beeswax and shea butter which prevent the moisture from evaporating.
Don’t forget the SPF
Lips have very little melanin which makes them even more vulnerable to the damaging effects of UV rays. Keep your lips healthy and cancer free by applying a lip balm with SPF included. Dermatologists recommend using a minimum of SPF 15, but the higher, the better.
Inviting lip colors
Lip care is just the first step. For a really inviting smile, adding the right color to your lips enhances the whiteness of your teeth.
Go for the red
There’s a reason red lips have never fallen out of fashion. But not all reds are created equal. To really make your smile shine, look for a red lipstick with a blue undertone. For darker skin tones, you’ll find that going for a dark purple really complements your smile.
Avoid light colors
Bright colors may draw attention to the whiteness of your teeth, but light-colored lipsticks do the opposite. Steer clear of lighter colors which wash out your smile.
Say no to mattes and gloss it up
Mattes might be a current style choice, but they can make your lips look dry. Instead, add some gloss on top of your lip color of choice. Gloss adds additional moisture to lips and gives a more youthful appearance.
Teeth whitening
If it’s time to bring a sparkle back to your smile and make your teeth a little whiter, Dr. Frahm offers a no-fuss, one hour in-office procedure for instant results or a professional-grade, take-home option.
Get ready to flash those pearly whites and show off your smile this summer. Contact Dr. Frahm for a consultation at 831-372-8011. Our office is conveniently located at 660 Camino Aguajito #201 in Monterey, CA 93940.
