I have been leaving the crusts on. I apply a thick coat of Vaseline Aloe Vera every night (dab on and spread with very light pressure, not rub on). When I wake up I put a tissue between my lips and press them to take the Vaseline off, and do it until all the Vaseline is off. Why Vaseline? Because my stash of natural lip balms all have some form of oil in them, like coconut oil, and the oil penetrates and peels the white stuff off too easily.
I then brush my teeth. I let my lips dry. Then I cut off the crusts which are pushed up from the lips using a nail scissor. I don't cut the crusts when they are wet because I may take off too much skin which is not ready to come off. If I shower, I do not touch my lips. They get soggy, and I let them dry. They dry into a hard layer. I then cut off any crusts ready to come off.
I do NOT exfoliate with a towel anymore. I simply do not rub my lips.
Today, crust peeled in one area and the skin underneath was so soft! And not red, inflamed, shiny, or sticky.
I am continuing this process because I want that feeling of the soft lip bit I felt today all over my lips. I'm guessing that soft bit will form a crust too, and it will take several cycles of this crusting and cutting to get anywhere near being cured, but I'm willing to wait. Fingers crossed! I will keep updating.