It's generally not good to frequently touch your lips. This is because our hands constantly pick up germs and dirt from our environment. Transferring this to your lips can lead to several issues.
The Downside of Touching Your Lips
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Increased risk of infection: Frequent touching transfers bacteria and viruses to your lips, potentially causing infections like cold sores (herpes simplex virus) or other skin irritations. As noted in several sources, discarding items like toothbrushes and lip balms that have touched a cold sore is crucial to preventing reinfection. [Source: American Academy of Dermatology]
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Acne and pimples: The build-up of dirt and bacteria from constantly touching your lips can contribute to the development of pimples and acne on your lips, causing discomfort and potential scarring. This can be particularly problematic since lip skin is sensitive. [Source: The Man Company blog]
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Irritation and inflammation: Repeatedly touching your lips can irritate the delicate skin, leading to dryness, chapping, and inflammation.
Exceptions and Considerations
While generally best avoided, touching your lips isn't always detrimental. Situations like applying lip balm or eating/drinking are unavoidable. However, maintaining hand hygiene is crucial: always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your lips to minimize the transfer of germs. Following lip filler treatment, there may be specific instructions from your healthcare provider regarding touching your lips. [Source: Cleveland Clinic]
Why People Touch Their Lips
Sometimes, lip-touching is subconscious and reflects underlying emotional states. For example, touching your lips might indicate nervousness or anxiety. [Source: Quora]
In conclusion, while occasional touching is inevitable, frequently touching your lips is generally not advised due to the risk of infection and skin problems.
