What is Fit-Lip?
Fit-Lip is a campaign aimed at encouraging people to wear SPF lip balm in order to protect their lips, prevent lip cancer & keep their pout healthy 😊
The campaign was founded by Ali Lowe, a dental hygienist and student on Victoria Wilson’s Smile Revolution course. Ali has a keen interest in facial aesthetics and is passionate about maintaining the natural, wholesome appearance of the lips.
What is Lip Cancer and what causes it?
Lip cancer is defined as a form of mouth cancer occurring at the junction between the oral cavity and the skin (i.e., the outer lip) that starts in the squamous cells of the lips and mouth. Although, it currently tends to get grouped with either mouth or skin cancer, the epidemiology of lip cancer supports the proposal that the lip should be regarded as a distinct cancer site, rather than being included with these.
Fortunately, with an annual rate of 0.2 per 100,00 in the United Kingdom (UK) it is far less common than other forms of mouth cancer (including the inner lip) but in many cases it is a preceding factor. However, any case is one case too many as it can be devastating not only for the sufferer but also their friends and family.
Approximately a third of lip cancers are associated with excessive sun exposure so it is particularly common in people with outdoor hobbies or occupations. The lower lip has a higher level of sun exposure as it is usually more prominent than the upper lip which is protected by the nose and angled slightly downwards. This helps explain the discrepancy between the incidence of upper and lower lip cancers.
Why is the Fit-Lip Campaign so Important?
Ali has noted that people diligently apply sunscreen to their face, wear sunglasses to protect their eyes, but all too often, forget to protect their lips with an SPF lip balm.
This is the proverbial chink in the armour as it is evident that UV damage to the pout can lead to lip cancer. If not caught early treatment for lip cancer can have many functional and cosmetic consequences- resulting in difficulty with speech, chewing, and swallowing. Also, surgery may result in disfigurement of the lips and face.
Prevention is better than cure and whilst Baz Lurmann’s 1999 chart-topping song ‘Always wear Sunscreen’ may have been a one hit wonder, the sentiment is still as strong as ever- especially for your lips! Everyone should wear a broad-spectrum SPF lip balm daily regardless of age, gender, or skin type. Before worrying about ‘pooching’ and Millilitres of filler, we should pay heed to the NICE guidelines which recommends avoidance of sunburn, e.g., by seeking shade when outside for a prolonged period, especially in the middle of the day (11am to 3pm). Wearing a wide brimmed hat offering shade to the lips and face and use of an SPF lip balm with a minimum sun protection factor of 15.
No matter what the occasion there is an SPF lip balm out there to suit all eventualities-after all do, we really want lips to die for?
What is the aim of the Fit-Lip Campaign?
Fit-Lip aims to empower people to take a proactive approach to sun protection through the daily application of an SPF lip balm for the maintenance of healthy lips and the early detection and treatment of lip cancer.
Lip-Fit aims to keep that muscle fit!
Ali hopes to collaborate with lip balm manufacturer’s, skin care companies, oral health, and cancer charities, in fact anyone who will listen in order to raise awareness of the campaign and spread the word….
SPF lip balm-the smoothest touch for your softest muscle
Read more about this project in the following Articles
