And as far as the crusts staying on, it's nothing I can compare, as some stay on for a very short period, while others stay on for a very long period, it depends on how healed the part of my lip is. The bottom will stay on for weeks, while the top usually flakes off after a week, sometimes less.
And I get them wet every night in the shower, and just let the water run over them for a while. Also letting my saliva run on them as well.