Because the skin of the lips is so thin, they are prone to sunburn.

Symptoms may include flakiness, itching, and swelling.

Treatment involves anti-inflammatory topicals and medications.

By now, you know that applying sunscreen is important. And yet, you're not immune to a sunburn. Whether yours is the result of falling asleep at the beach unexpectedly or your moisturizer with SPF just not cutting it, the damage is real. While you may be vigilant about applying sunscreen to your face, it's not the only area of your body that you should be protecting. Interestingly, one area that often goes neglected—on the face—is your lips. Regardless of how you got your sunburned lips, the result can be painful and is best avoided. Fortunately, there are ways to treat the common condition that don't require much.

To find out more, InStyle turned to dermatologists Jeannette Graf, M.D., and Michael I. Jacobs, M.D. Not only did the experts share how you can heal sunburnt lips, but they also provided tips for preventing them in the first place. Keep reading to learn what they had to say.

Jeannette Graf, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Michael I. Jacobs, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist in Manhattan, New York. He specializes in cosmetic dermatology and skin cancer.