A lip tattoo is a procedure where colour pigments are inserted into the lips using tattooing needles, which can be for artistic tattoo purposes or as a form of permanent makeup known as cosmetic tattooing.
Benefits of getting a lip tattoo
- One benefit of using Lip tattooing is that it can help maintain the youthful appearance of lips by restoring their natural radiance and plumpness, which can fade with age.
- The makeup product stays in place day and night without smudging or transferring onto surfaces.
- Wearing less makeup saves time in both the morning and evening.
- The duration of the treatment can range from 1 to 5 years, with results varying depending on individual healing processes.
- Helps reduce expenses on makeup products.
- Lip makeup can enhance the appearance of your lips, providing a fuller, more defined, and balanced look. This can particularly benefit individuals with vision impairments or medical conditions that make makeup application challenging.
- Ideal for individuals with allergies to traditional makeup.
Healing in progress
Day of service
It is common for lips to feel puffy, tight, and tender after a lip tattoo, similar to sunburn. Swelling and bruising are expected due to the high vascularity of the area. Swelling typically reduces within hours, and bruising fades within a few days. The initial look may appear more vibrant than the healed result, as the tattoo is still fresh and not fully healed.
Day 2
The swelling should have subsided by now, but your lips may appear darker or more intense due to the healing process. Your lips may feel tight, dry, and possibly chapped, but this is normal as the film protects the healing skin. It’s important not to pick or bite the movie, as it can cause irritation, scarring, and unevenness in the color. Throughout the day, you may notice small pieces of film starting to peel away.
Days 3 – 5
The film may start to peel off on its own and should be allowed to exfoliate evenly without interference, such as scratching, pulling, or biting it off prematurely.
Days 6 – 10
After removing the film, the ink may appear around 50% lighter and slightly smaller at the edges. It is advisable to moisturise your lips as they may still feel dry.
It is essential to continue treating your lips with care for the next 4-6 weeks, as they are still healing and regenerating.
Weeks 6-8
After the healing process, your lips should have more colour and definition. Initially, it may seem a bit light, but the top-up appointment can address that. If you are happy with the results of the first session, we will replicate it during the touch-up. It’s easier to add more ink and go darker during the top-up than to fix going too dark in the first session.
After your touch-up
The ink tends to adhere better when applied on top of the initial layer, resulting in less fading and quicker lip healing after the first session.
It is recommended to wait until your lips are fully healed before assessing the results of the two-step treatment, as additional touch-ups may be necessary for some clients to achieve their desired look.
Healing after permanent lip makeup is unique to each individual. Regular colour boosts every 12/24/36 months are needed to maintain lip vibrancy. Permanent makeup is the art of enhancing natural lips with varying results. Lip products may still be necessary, especially with heavier makeup. Perfect symmetry is not guaranteed, but efforts are made to achieve balance. This treatment is low maintenance, not no maintenance.
Cosmetic tattooing is softer and less solid than body tattoos to achieve a lighter and more natural look. Specially formulated inks that break down over time are used to age better and allow for changes. Faces are oilier, more exposed to UV rays and pollutants, and come in contact with makeup, cleansers, and exfoliants, so top-ups are needed over time.