My Current Setup - Update

This is pretty much the same regime I did during the years when my lips were in balance (2005-2009, up until June1), except for the Valtrex pills and meditation (I did progressive relaxation then).

Treatment Routine

Morning procedure: After breakfast and brushing my teeth, I gently "clean" the lips in a circular motion with a cotton swab dipped in luke warm water. Next I very gently apply some lip balm with a new cotton swab, in an even thin layer on the lips, also in a circular motion.

If there are loose flakes they usually peel when I do this. If the skin still is attached to the lip I sometimes leave it alone, and sometimes I continue to gently rub it in a circular motion with lip balm on the cotton swab, and it usually peels after a while. If I manually peel it like this, I don't use any force, just a gentle circular motion as described above.

After I have finished I usually take some kitchen paper and gently press it against the lips (especially around the borders and the corners of my mouth) to make them look less glossy.

Evening procedure: After I have brushed my teeth, I usually do the same procedure as in the mornings, except I usually don't do any manually peeling, and I don't use any kitchen paper.

Lip Balm

* Munkens Bisalva (water free lip balm manufactured in Sweden. I store it in my fridge to make the consistency a little harder and colder than it would be in room temperature. Ingredients: Paraffinum liq., Cera flava (non bleached bees wax), Olea europaea (olive oil), Eugenia caryophyllus (clove and/or carnation oil - I'm not sure which one), Propolis cera (resinous mixture that honey bees collect from tree buds, sap flows etc.), riboflavin (vitamin B2).

Medication & Supplements

* Valtrex - 500 mg per day

* Omega 3 Fish Oil - 1000 mg x 2 per day (two capsules)

Diet

* Fish, eggs, chicken and lean meat

* Wholemeal pasta and bread

* Brown rice, bulgur and quinoa

* Lentils and beans

* Greens, fruit and berries - 500 gram per day (minimum)

* Nuts and seeds

* Olive oil, rapeseed oil and flaxseed oil

* Milk, yogurt and cheese

* Water - 3 liters per day

Lifestyle

* Exercise - 30-60 minutes 3-5 times a week

* Sleep - 7-8 hours per night

* Mindfulness meditation - 40 minutes per day (body scan, focused breathing etc)

* Sun - 20 minutes per day (minimum)

* A social life (talking to/meeting family and friends on a daily basis)