Lip Blushing is a form of Semi-Permanent makeup. Essentially, it's a cosmetic tattoo of the lips that enhances the beauty of the natural lip color, improving the shape of the lips, giving definition and the illusion of fullness. The treatment delivers very natural results, once healed. Filler is great for creating volume in your lips, however, lip blushing offers a more natural look and the illusion of fuller lips.
HOW DOES LIP BLUSH WORK?
A tiny mechanized needle deposits pigment into the lips, which builds layers of color. This can be a corrective service to help even out the tone of the lips, but it can also help with asymmetry.
HOW LONG DOES LIP BLUSH LAST?
Lip Blushing can last several years, however, your lifestyle contributes to how well it maintains:
- Smoking
- Sun Exposure
- Oil-Prone
- Iron Deficiency
- Exfoliating Products
These factors can speed up the fading process, causing the pigment to fade more quickly. Results will always vary from person to person, after your initial session and the touch up, your results should last between 2-5 years. Additional touch ups may be required depending on the person and look desired. Permanent makeup ink is not the same as body art ink, and by design it does not last as long as body art ink.
IS THIS PROCEDURE PAINFUL?
A tattoo on the lips sounds painful—especially for someone who might be looking for an alternative to getting injected with filler. Most clients rate it three or four out of ten, with ten being the most painful. There’s little to no discomfort. The lips are numbed for 30 minutes prior to the service. If you’re worried about your pain tolerance, a pain reliever like Tylenol can be taken prior to the appointment; avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E the day before to reduce the possibility of bruising and bleeding.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW PRIOR TO THE PROCEDURE?
If you have a history of cold sores or herpes, even if you have had only ONE cold sore, ANYWHERE, at ANY point in your life - the procedure could trigger an outbreak.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO REQUEST A PRESCRIBED ANTI-VIRAL MEDICATION. The prescribed anti-viral medication should be enough to take the day prior to your procedure, the day of, and the day after. Please ask your doctor to prescribe enough to do the exact same for your Touch Up Appointment. If you do not remember if you've had a cold sore, please take the prescribed anti-viral medication anyways. This is so important, as this type of procedure can trigger an outbreak due to the opening of the skin. The lips are very sensitive and more susceptible to an outbreak if you've had a history of cold sores. Cold Sores can affect the healed results of the lip blush.
- Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oils, vitamin E, niacin, or drink excessive alcohol at least 48 hours prior to and after your procedure.
- Do not take any prescription blood thinners at least 48 hours prior to and after your procedure.
- Discontinue any vitamin A skin care products (Retin-A, retinols) close to the enhancement area at least TWO weeks prior to your procedure. **We recommend NOT using these products over or around the tattooed area after you receive your cosmetic tattoo. It could cause fading and distortion of color.**
- Discontinue use of AHA (chemical exfoliation) skin care products close to the area to be tattooed at least one week prior to your procedure.
- No laser or electrolysis on or around the treatment area one week prior to procedure.
- No Botox or fillers in the procedure area less than one week prior.
- Plan trips or events a minimum of 14 days after the procedure.
- Due to unwanted elements limit the amount of caffeine you consume the morning of your appointment.
- Do not have any chemical peels, dermabrasions, mesotherapy, or any other intense treatments which will cause faster skin cell rejuvenating and cause skin irritation 3-4 weeks before procedure.
- If you have been on prescription Accutane in the past, you MUST wait at least one year before considering this procedure.
- It is highly recommended that you avoid SUN TANNING and TANNING BED exposure for 30 days BEFORE and AFTER your procedure. If you show up for your appointment with a new tan or a sunburn, you will need to reschedule and will forfeit your booking fee. As your skin exfoliates from a sunburn, it will take the pigment with it.
- Bring in your favorite lip color if you have a specific color your wanting to achieve.
IF THIS IS NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT PRIOR TO YOUR PROCEDURE & WE HAVE TO RESCHEDULE THE DAY OF YOUR PROCEDURE, A $50 CANCELLATION FEE WILL BE CHARGED.
*** If you have an outbreak, or any other type of scratch/acne we ask that you reschedule your appointment as soon as possible. If you show up with any type of outbreak your appointment is considered cancelled and you will be charged a $50 cancellation fee. ***
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE LASTS?
The procedure takes about 2 hours. The consultation and prep work take a good portion of the time. We want to make sure after we have discussed your concerns and we've drawn out a shape, we are both on the same page before starting the procedure. Once we have achieved a natural desired look we will apply numbing cream for 30 minutes, then start the Lip Blushing process. During that time the non toxic ink can get in your mouth which doesn't taste the best, but is ingestible and non toxic.
WHAT TO EXPECT THE DAY OF THE PROCEDURE?
First, there’s pout prep. A topical anesthetic is applied to pre-numb the lips for 30 minutes. Afterwards, the technician will draw the shape of the “new” lips so that you can evaluate and make any changes. Once the client is happy with the shape, we begin the actual tattooing.
The procedure takes place over the course of an hour to an hour and a half, if not longer, depending on the look you’re going for. Keep in mind, Lip Blushing is a natural procedure, that enhances the shape you already have. It provides the illusion of fuller lips without injections. However, if your looking for shape, fullness, completely different than what you have, lip fillers will be the best option for you. Once the appointment is completed, your lips will be swollen—it is a tattoo, after all—so you can ice them if necessary.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE LIP BLUSH HEALING PROCESS?
Lips will be swollen for 24-48 hours. For the first 24 hours, we advise clients to gently blot their lips with a wet cotton pad and let them air dry. This is to keep the lips clean and remove any body fluids that have surfaced and prevent the fluids from forming scabs.
Lip color will be intense days 1-4. Color will start to peel and a layer will shed around days 3-4. By the end of week 1, lips may look lighter than the final outcome.
Clients like to be out of the public eye around peeling phase, typically days 3-4. Every client heals differently, scabbing may not be as excessive, and/or may not occur on days 3-4. Peeling could happen sooner or later.
When it comes to scabs, it’s important that they fall off naturally—picking them can result in scarring or loss of pigment in those areas. We suggest avoiding workouts and sun exposure for two weeks and if you plan on getting injections, wait a full month. Sleeping on your face could also cause the scabs to fall off prematurely. Aquaphor should be worn excessively to keep the lips properly moisturized.
First couple of days can pass off as bright lipstick, but the peeling can be difficult to disguise.
Initially, the color will be super vibrant, like a lip stain. It's important not to be misled by the immediate ‘after’ results. The immediate results look nothing like when the lips are healed. Once healed, the color fades approximately 30-50 percent and also blends in with the natural lip color.
Scabbing typically lasts five to seven days, which can be camouflaged by the consistent use of Aquaphor. After four weeks(max, some heal sooner), the lips should be fully healed to completion. A Touch-Up Appointment in six weeks is recommended to fill in areas that may have rejected pigment.
The BEST way to describe the Healing Process is as follows:
TOO BRIGHT
TOO LIGHT
JUST RIGHT
HEALING PROCESS SUMMARY
- There will be moderate swelling, redness and bruising for the first 5 days.
- Apply a Ziploc bag filled with water and ice for no more than 15 minutes at a time to reduce swelling.
- During the initial healing period, there should be minimal scabbing or flaking of the skin. If there is scabbing or flaking, do not pick, and allow the scab or dry skin to come off on its own.
- Expect the color to eventually lighten by up to 40% once the healing process is complete.
- Color may appear uneven at different stages of healing. Be patient. This is a process that does not yield immediate results.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF LIP BLUSHING?
Like any other cosmetic tattooing, there are risks associated such as allergic reactions or infections. We provide After Care instructions to prevent any negative reactions. All needles used for the procedure are disposable and are not reused under any condition. If client has history of allergic reactions to metals or pigments, a patch test should be performed. Any history of cold sores or herpes, a prescribed anti-viral medication is highly advised, as this procedure will trigger an outbreak.
For darker complexions, due to the increased melanin, hyperpigmentation is a major risk. Darker skin types inhibits visualization of blood vessels and therefore we see darker undertones to the lips which is referred to as hyper pigmented lips. With that said, actual injury to the skin can cause hyperpigmentation. Tattooing darker lips MAY worsen the dark pigmentation.
IS EVERYONE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THIS SERVICE?
Please read carefully. If any of the following apply to you, this service is not recommended.
- If you are a smoker or have a history of MRSA, pigment may not retain properly and may distort.
- Have psoriasis in the treatment area
- Have an auto-immune disease
- Have a thyroid/graves disease (medication may cause pigment not to retain properly)
- Have history of keloid or hypertrophic scarring
- Currently undergoing chemotherapy
- Pregnant or Nursing (No exceptions - you cannot have this service)
- Diabetes Type 1 or 2 (Due to slow healing and infection, color may or may not heal well)
- If you are under doctors care and have questions AT ALL about being able to have this procedure, it is your responsibility to meet with your doctor and get written approval.
Even if none of the above apply, Lip Blushing is a Cosmetic Tattoo, and the skin can be unpredictable. It's up to your skin to retain the pigment. Generally results are successful.
HOW MUCH IS THE LIP BLUSH PROCEDURE?
Lip Blushing is $450. This does NOT include a complimentary Touch Up Appointment recommended 4-6 weeks after initial session.
An additional session price is $175 & highly recommended for desired look/longevity.
