What you really need to know about the Lip Blushing healing process

Lip Blushing is a tattooing of the lips with a semi-permanent colored ink into the lips. A single mechanical needle is used with a quick hand motion and dotting technique. When compared to traditional tattooing, Lip Blushing is similar to the “whip-shading” or “pepper-shading” techniques.

Example of before Lip Blushing:

Example of after Lip Blushing:

Having received a Lip Blushing service, you require patience and importantly need to follow the best aftercare practices to achieve the best result. Lip Blushing can last 2-3 years between treatments and the aftercare protocols are similar to those of a permanent tattoo. The initial healing stage lasts 1-2 weeks and by about week 4, your lips should have healed completely.

The quality and consistency of your aftercare on your lips after a Lip Blush application directly impacts how your lips will look at the end of the healing process. To ensure you end up with the correctly shaded, smooth and healthy lips, learning about the best hygiene practices and changes to your life style is essential.

Learning the best hygiene practices and necessary lifestyle modifications will ensure you end up with a properly shaded, smooth and healthy pout. Here’s everything to expect during the lip blush tattoo healing process for the best, lasting results.

Day 1

Lips to be fairly swollen for the first day or so.
To ensure you do not feel pain during the procedure, your artist will likely use a numbing cream.
You might experience some tenderness and soreness in the area as the numbing sensation starts to fade.
You can apply ice packs wrapped in fresh towels to your lips to alleviate these side effects.
To create the Lip Blush design, your stylists creates tiny wounds that provoke your body’s inflammatory response. As your session finishes, your lips will create Lymphatic Fluid as a natural inflammatory response. After around 4-6 hours, use a clean water wipe to wash off this fluid from your lips.
Once the fluid has been clean, use a moisturizing balm to keep the area clean and hydrated.
As with permanent tattoos, the color of your lip blushing will be its brightest following the completion of the sessions. As the micro-wounds begin to heal, the color you selected will start to appear.

Day 2-3

By Day 2, the swelling should have subsided.
On Day-3 the color of your lips should look darker than it was as you left the salon.
During this time it is ESSENTIAL to cleanse and moisturize your lips twice a day.
- Use water or a fragrence-free cleanser on a cotton pad to wash the lips.
- Hydrate the lips with occlusive balm, ointment or gentle moisturizer.
To keep dryness at bay, hydrate your lips as often as needed.

Day 3-4 - The Flaky Stage

Around Days 3-4, your lips will start to flake and peel.
To recover from the micro-wounds, scabs will form on your lips.
NEVER PEEL OFF SCABS. You need to protect your investment and picking scabs can fade the lip blush’s pigment or create patchiness. Also there is a risk that you will open the wound making you susceptible to infection.
New layers of skin will come through as the dry flakes fall off.
It is important at this point to be consistent with your washing and lip hygiene routine. Hydration of your lips at this stage is critical.
This flaking and peeling stage can last up to a week.
You need to be patient as it may take the ink up to four weeks to fully settle into the skin.

Day 7-10 - Final Healing Days

Flakiness should start to subside after a week or so.
At this point, the lip color should be 30%-50% lighter than when you left the salon.
It is common for pigment to temporarily disappear before returning a few weeks later. Essentially the skin is thickening as it heals and briefly conceals the ink.
After 4-6 weeks, the skin would have repaired itself and the color would have settled. The ink will then become visible again and your ideal lip shade will show through.

Day 56-60 (8-9 weeks) - Touch-Up Time

Schedule a follow-up appointment with your stylist around 8 weeks after your first session.
You may need to have some color evened out or you may need to lighten or neutralize your lip shade. Your stylist will make any necessary touch-ups.

After-care Long-Term

To shield the lips from the sun and keep pigment from fading, use a lip balm with and SPF rating.
This will also help to avoid your lips from developing fine lines and wrinkles. These will will be even more apparent with lip blushing.
Be careful when exfoliating your skin on the face and lips. It is permitted to exfoliate, but be aware that regular exfoliation can cause your lip blushing tattoo to fade more quickly.
Longevity of your lip blush color will also be impacted by
- Smoking
- If you have oil-prone skin
- If you have an iron deficiency

Avoid this during your aftercare process

You should not touch your lips unless you are cleaning or moisturizing them.
We recommend always using a cotton pad, a clean towel or washed hands when applying hygiene and aftercare products to your lips.
Refrain from activities or using products that could irritate your lips. Micro-wounds are created with Lip Blushing that leave you vulnerable to infection. Avoid activities that generate a lot of sweat for at least two weeks after lip blushing. (e.g. intense exercise, hot yoga, swimming, saunas). Excess moisture and sweat particles leave your skin susceptible to germs that could host a bacterial or fungal infection.
For at least 48 hours after your session avoid spicy food, soups and hot beverages.
- Use a straw to drink.
- Try to avoid touching the lips by placing foods directly in your mouth with a fork.
- Avoid acidic, oily or salty foods and alcohol during the healing process.
Avoiding any teeth whitening activities with strips or a dentist while your lips are healing.
Try not to get toothpaste on the lips when brushing your teeth.
For 2 weeks after your session, steer clear of direct sun exposure, chemical peels or laser treatments.
It is also recommended avoid the following during the healing process:
- Wearing lipstick or lipgloss
- Lip exfoliators
- Kissing
- Skin friction