When I was 14 (I’m 36 now) I started using Chapstick brand lip balm. I have been using some form of lip balm (I use Trader Joes brand now) on my lips continuously since then.
I mean that literally. Only once or twice have I ever gone a day without it. I buy them by the handful and I have them hidden in my car, at work, in my shaving kit…everywhere.
My lips dry out instantly when I don’t use the stuff…and it makes me so miserable. I know it doesn’t seem like such a big deal…but it hurts/burns/etc. Within a day my lips start to peel and flake. It’s just awful.
But not everyone does this, right? Most people don’t use anything on their lips, right? They go natural.
I dunno…everyone I know uses it.
I have absolutely no itention of going off the stuff, but I’d like to.
I’m guessing there are two ways to do it…tapering and cold turkey.
What about you? Ever kick the habit? Did you go back? What’s it like?
I’ve been addicted to it since 14 (22 now). I tried kicking the habit once but it lasted only a little over a month before my lips became painfully dry. I usually only need to apply it once or twice a day, though sometimes I go through a dry spell where I need it a dozen times a day for a couple weeks. But most of the time it doesn’t give me much trouble.
I have been adicted to them for a few years but weened myself off using KY jelly to help during withdrawal. The advise about KY I got from this board, the theory is since it’s water based and like a more natural lubericant it doesn’t cause your natural lubercation to shut down as much.
I remember seeing Merv Griffith on some show years ago where he commented that he was advised to buy stock in the company that makes Chapstick because once people began to use it they were on it for life.
I’ve found a two-step plan that can, the great majority of the time, keep my lips in a fine condition without having to use chapstick. It is:
[ol][li]Drink lots of water[/li][li]Play a reed instrument[/ol][/li]The vibrationing reed is quite effective at removing dead skin from the lips. Occasionally, I’ll over-do step two and have to resort to some lip balm as a temporary measure, but this doesn’t happen too often.
Anyway, I’ve never been addicted to lip balm, so I don’t know whether this can work to get you off it. Also, if you’re trying to save money, instruments do tend to be slightly more expensive than chapstick
[QUOTE=Dr. Love]
I’ve found a two-step plan that can, the great majority of the time, keep my lips in a fine condition without having to use chapstick. It is:
[ol][li]Drink lots of water[/li][li]Play a reed instrument[/ol][/li][/quote]
Well that’s just great, now I’m addicted to oboes, you son of a bitch!
I think you’ll find that “vibrating” works just fine as a word.
Dang - I thought this was a joke - people really do get hooked on lip balm? I have some that I use once in a while, but mostly when I’ve been licking my lips a lot.
I probably apply Chapstick 8-10 times per day, every day. I was thinking once, when I was watching Survivor, what my one luxury item would be that I could take with me on the island. That answer is very obvious.
I use about 1 stick per year, for the odd times when my lips get dry and chapped. This thread is my first exposure to the idea that “addiction” is possible.
I work with people who seem to be addicted to Chapstick, and one to hand cream. I rarely use either…I’m using Burt’s Bees right now, but just for the color. I don’t even like wearing lipstick all the time…I usually put it on once in the morning and I’m done for the day. But one of my co-workers can’t seem to go twenty minutes without reapplying Chapstick
My personal favorite is Lip Medex because it’s menthol-y. My gf uses cherry chapstick so I get a fair amount of that as well.
My lips haven’t become dependent on lip balm but I use it at least once a day. And, no, I haven’t tried to wean myself off, I mean, like, I could if I really wanted to, but I don’t really see the need…
Almost the same here, though I buy a stick once in a while when I have a bad cold, or if my lips are chapped due to the cold in winter. When I actually use it, I almost immediately have a reaction of distaste and throw the damn gucky thing out.
SMDB is amazing. No stone left unturned, no topic left untouched.
I have used some form of lip balm for many a year now.
Now I live in the desert where the UV factor is extreme and most of my work is done outdoors, I use a balm with a sunscreen factor to it (Body Shop Vitamin C stick or Burts Bees with spf). Sunburnt lips are most unpleasant.
I apply multiple times daily. If I don’t have it with me, it is usually when I need it most and I do start to have a mild panic attack but it is just because my lips are really dry… not that I’m addicted to it… What???
I’m a lip balm ‘addict’ but it’s not something which bothers me overly. I just make sure I have a swag of 'em in every room in the house. And handcream too. I’m never more than a metre or two away from a tube of handcream. Especially now, when my hands are so dry and sore they’ve developed cracks on the corners of my fingers.
