As it was said the fact that skin becomes more and more waterproof, regains his original pigmentation and natural sensibility are of course the signs of healing.
Regarding the length of the peeling cycle I think that, logically, more the state evolves to the healing, more it would be lengthy because flakes should have more difficulty to come off by themselves.
I would say that it is both longer and less disgusting.
I would like to add, according to what was said above, you should avoid rubbing your lips but wait for the flakes become dry and cut with nailscissors, for example, the part of these flakes which tend to naturally peel off, so at this time, you can cut properly without pulling the whole out.