Lip Blush Tattooing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lip Blush Tattooing?

Lip blushing is a semi-permanent cosmetic tattoo procedure that adds a light tint of color to a person’s lips. Most lip blush tattoos are designed to last two to three years. Lip blush can be used to fix minor symmetry issues, camouflage scars, and add 30-40 percent more volume to the lips, It is also useful for adding a tint of natural lip color and improving overall shape.

How long does it take?

For the first Lip Blush session, the entire procedure should take about 2-3 hours. During this session, the practitioner will consult the client and outline the client’s lips for client approval. We then follow with pigment color selection. Once the client is satisfied with the choices, we begin the procedure.

The client is to come in for a follow up visit in order to have any minor necessary touch ups. The second lip blush tattooing session takes place after 6-8 weeks after the initial session. This session will take approximately 1.5-2 hours to complete.

How long does it take to heal?

The lip area will be slightly red after the procedure and color will appear very dark. This is normal for the procedure and part of the healing process. The color will fade by up to 60% as it heals. In the following days, the lips will be slightly swollen and continue to be dark and you will notice slight scabbing. Do not pick at the scabs as this may damage the skin and the outcome of the tattooed area. The lips will lighten up in color as it heals. No down time is required after the tattooing procedure. It takes approximately 7-14 days for the lips to heal over, and about 1 month for the color to fully set in. You'll notice the color is very light right after the two weeks after healing; the skin will have an opaque milky looking quality to it. This is known as the milk skin and is common in tattooing. This is due to the the tissue still healing from the inside out even though the surface of the skin is healed. True color will reveal itself once healed.

Is the touch up session necessary?

Yes! A touch up session between 6-8 weeks is absolutely necessary with all initial procedures, as everyone heals differently and outcome will vary. Certain areas may retain pigment during the first session and will need to be re-enforced. During this session line thickness & pigment color may need to be adjusted. Individuals with oily skin often require a deeper shade during the touch up session as the oils tend to lighten the pigment. Most importantly, your touch up session is when we refine & reinforce the pigment in your liner to ensure it looks perfect and retains the color for the whole year!

Can I get my touch up session sooner than 6 weeks?

Touch up sessions should not be done earlier than 4-6 weeks (on a client by client basis) after initial tattooing session as pigment color has not fully settled into the skin. Most importantly, this is to prevent scar damage as the tissue requires time to completely heal.

Is it painful?

The pain level for the procedure is considered mild to moderate. Prior to the procedure your practitioner will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the area, and an additional numbing gel during the procedure. Everyone responds differently to anesthetic; depending on the client, the feeling of the procedure has been described as light cat scratches, to not feeling anything at all. Topical anesthetics used may contain lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, tetracaine and epinephrine. After the procedure, redness and slight swelling in the area is normal. Clients describe the area feeling sensitive, similar to a light sunburn. Clients can take Tylenol but not aspirin or ibuprofen.

How long does it last?

Since permanent cosmetic pigments are different from traditional body art tattoo inks, the area will naturally fade overtime. Lip Blush tattooing typically lasts 1 year before needing a color boost. Lip care routine will also affect the lasting effect of the pigment: patients who have chapped lips, tan, use products with AHA or Glycolic Acid will fade faster as your skin will resurface faster. Each individual's color retention within the lips will vary. To maintain the lips looking fresh, a touch up is suggested every 9-12 months. Clients can let the tattooed area fade over time, but please note a slight shadow may remain.

How should I prep for my appointment?

In order to achieve the best results, it is best to follow the pre and post care instructions.

Prior to your procedure, clients are advised of the following:

Avoid alcohol.
Avoid tanning so we can assess your natural skin tone.
Let your practitioner know of any medical conditions or medications you may be taking that may affect your service.
No chemical peels at least two weeks prior.
Arrive to your appointment with your make-up on as you normally wear it daily. Reference pictures of shapes and colors of liner are always welcomed. We will then work together to create the perfect eyeliner!

After your procedure, clients MUST follow these instructions:

Immediately after your procedure, blot the lip area with a clean dry tissue to gently remove any lymphatic liquid (clear yellowish liquid) that may have built up.
Gently wash lips with the mild lip cleanser provided in the morning daily.
Do not immerse lip area in water for 14 days. When showering, make sure to avoid face area. When cleaning or washing face, make sure to avoid rubbing the lips. Clean gently.
Do not put makeup on the lip area for a minimum of 10-14 days. The tattooed eye area is an open wound, using makeup may cause infections.
Lip area will feel slightly itchy as it heals and will start to lightly scab over. Do not peel or pick at the scabs as this can affect the outcome and pigmentation.
Do not go swimming, tanning or into saunas for at least 14 days.
No face scrubs or chemical peels at least 2 weeks after.

Who is not suitable for the procedure?

Lip Blushing is not suitable for the following candidates:

Using Accutane
Have heart conditions or using heart medications
Have diabetes (will require a physician's note)
Have skin disease or irritations
Have had lip fillers in the last 4 weeks
Have gotten a deep tan or chemical peels in the last 2 weeks
Allergic to lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, tetracaine or epinephrine
Anyone who has any serious medical conditions may require a physician's note.
Pregnant or currently breastfeeding.

* We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who we deem not suitable for this procedure or for any other reason. Our brow practitioners make the decision to microblade an individual based on their own discretion. *

Risks and complications?

We take all proper precautions for a safe session by using sterilized equipment, new needles and in a sanitized environment. Should clients follow our pre and post care instructions, there should be minimal risks or complications . Although allergic reactions to the pigments are rare, it could be possible for certain individuals. We suggest a pigment patch test for individuals who have high skin sensitivities or are sensitive to:

Topical makeup products
Gold, silver and nickel
Hair dyes

Patch tests should be performed 5-7 days prior. If you chose not to do a patch test we are not responsible for any reactions that may occur.

What if I do not like it?

As with all cosmetic procedures, individuals should not make their choices lightly. We always recommend clients do their research, understand the procedure and compare different artists' work and portfolio when making their decisions. Our brow practitioners will do their utmost best to shape and style the lips to the clients satisfaction prior to the procedure. Every effort will be made to achieve an even appearance, but please realize our faces are never perfectly symmetrical. Uneven appearance can be fixed during the touch up session. Pigment discoloration and color correction can also be fixed during the the touch up session. Tattooed lips may eventually fade away if no additional touch ups are done. If you are happy with your lips, touchup sessions are recommended to maintain those results.