I have been using Protopic 0.1% twice a day on my lips for 11 days now for excessively dry, cracked and irritated lips that I have had for almost a decade. So far, I have not noticed any real improvement. I don’t understand what my lips are supposed to look like when they are “healed.”
As soon as Protopic is applied, my lips swell and burn, although I do feel some relief. However, once it wears off by the end of the day, or when I eat or drink something, my lips go back to being dry. Additionally, since I started using Protopic, the surface of my lips has become smooth but also extremely tight and dry when they are not moisturized. They feel physically tight, like I can’t fully open my mouth, and if I try, it feels like my lips might rip. When that happens, they also become wrinkly and burn.
I’ve also noticed that the edges of my lips inside my mouth have become very dry as well, even while using Protopic. I didn’t have this issue before, including the one i mentioned above. The dryness also becomes worse after I brush my teeth. I use SLS-free Sensodyne Fresh Mint toothpaste.
Can anyone share their experience with Protopic on the lips and what their healing journey looked like? Is 11 days still too early, or should I have seen some improvement by now? It’s very confusing because my dermatologist only told me to apply Protopic on my lips until healed, and then twice a week to prevent flares. The appointment was very quick, and I wasn’t given much additional information.