I don't have to use the steroid cream hardly ever, maybe once or twice a day...and most likely I don't even need it anymore to be honest.
However yes I am keeping a barrier on all day (aquaphor) and I haven't tried to leave them bare. I only have to put it on a couple times a day for the outer lips, but my inner lips need it a lot more often. Yesterday was the last day at my job so I won't be talking on the phones all day so I expect that to improve my inner lips considerably over the next few weeks.
The redness in my lips is becoming less red as well, which is great.
As far as the lines in the lips I don't think I have any lines yet...