I agree with you about keeping balm off our lips right now, but I disagree that you should lick your lips later on in the process. You shouldn't lick your lips at all, EVER! I think that a lot of people developed this by excessively licking their lips, as licking your lips dries them out. I hope I'm not speaking too soon but I don't think it will even take me 6 weeks to get through this part. The bottom edge of my bottom crust peeled a little the other day and the skin underneath seems completely healed. Hope I didn't jinx it tho.