📝 Editor's Note: The (almost) final chapter of my cheilitis diary from August 2025. Outdated in some details, but sharing in case it helps someone going through the same thing. Not medical advice!
Why did I go a whole week without posting, after being so obsessive about documenting everything?
Because things were actually getting better — and I didn't want to jinx it.
The folliculitis from over-applying Vaseline cleared up after 5 days of antibiotics. Current status: lips still dry, no more stinging, not quite back to normal yet — but noticeably improved. There's still some redness around the lip area that seems to be fading very slowly, though it's honestly hard to tell from day to day.
Surviving the Week Without My Doctor
My doctor at Yedam was on vacation for the whole week, so I had to manage on my own. My routine became: Zeroid cream generously applied throughout the day, alternating between Vaseline and CellMed Cyaplex Balm on my lips. That two-product rotation carried me through the entire week.
And then — finally — he was back this Saturday. I was genuinely excited. Like, embarrassingly excited.
I put my name on the waitlist in the morning and showed up at 2:55 PM. Clinic closes at 3 PM on Saturdays. The reception desk was empty, and my doctor looked up at me with a mildly startled expression.
"Uh… uh…"
Me: "Uh… isn't it until 3 PM?"
Doctor: "Ah… 3 PM is when we close, so last appointments are at 2 PM… but you know what, just come in~"
I had just forced my doctor to work overtime on a Saturday. The computer was already off. He was basically out the door. I am so sorry and also not sorry at all. 😅
What the Doctor Said
He looked at my lips and said the redness around the area hasn't fully faded yet, and there's still some moisture imbalance. Not the "wow you've almost fully recovered!" I was desperately hoping to hear. ㅠㅠ
New prescription: Elidel cream — no steroids, so it can be used longer term without the side effect concerns. The catch is it works a bit more slowly. Also need to avoid sun exposure while using it, as it can cause stinging if UV hits the treated area — and can lead to pigmentation. So for now, I am choosing to become a creature of the night. 🌙
He also recommended picking up Bepanthen ointment from the pharmacy to apply frequently throughout the day, and to keep up the Vaseline on the lips.
Current Routine (for anyone curious)
- Elidel cream — applied at night before bed (avoiding sun exposure)
- Bepanthen ointment — applied frequently throughout the day around the lip area
- Vaseline Lip Therapy — on the lips themselves, consistently
- Zeroid Intensive Rich Cream MD — on the surrounding skin for barrier support
I'm hoping this is the second-to-last post I ever write about cheilitis.
The last one will be titled: "Cheilitis: Fully Recovered."
Please let that day come soon!!!!!
→ Next (and hopefully final) post: My Cheilitis Diary #5 — Fully Recovered 🙏