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Smooching Results in Skin Irritation

Q. I am seeing a new guy and the stubble on his face has left a large chapped area on my face that almost feels burned. It’s an unpleasant aftermath of an enjoyable kissing session. I'm putting Vaseline on it. Is there anything else that might help more?

A. We checked with cosmetics expert Stanley B. Levy, MD, of Chapel Hill Dermatology in North Carolina. He said you can use 1 percent hydrocortisone cream for a few days. It is available over the counter.

To prevent or soothe irritation, Aquaphor (made by Beiersdorf) would feel and work better than Vaseline. It too is OTC.

Dr. Levy continued, “Make sure you are not sensitive to his aftershave, moisturizer or lip balm. Although the grizzly look is in, you could also ask him to shave more frequently.”

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About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
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