Stay on the Cutting Edge
Lip Blushing
What is Lip Blushing?
Lip blushing is semi-permanent, tattooed makeup that tints your lips using a cosmetic tattoo gun (on a low setting) and water-based inks. The results are comparable to lip fillers—in that your lips will look a little fuller simply by being defined and enhanced with pigment—but lip blushing won’t actually change the shape or feeling of your lips. Instead, it will just leave you with a soft, shaded-in color that can enhance your lip symmetry, cover uneven pigmentation or scars, and give you the illusion of bigger, fuller lips.
How Long does Lip Blushing Last?
Typically, lip blushing lasts about 18 months, until your lips slowly return to their natural hue. Lips will progressively become lighter, that is why they may appear much lighter after 12 months than they will after six months, which is why we recommend yearly refresh sessions to prolong the lip shade you want.
Does Lip Blushing Hurt?
Not really. Everyone's pain threshold is different, but in general, the pain of lip blushing is often described as small pinches or light scratches.
What to Expect
Do Not Expect Dramatic Results
If you are looking for a permanent retro red shade or super sharp lines, this is not the treatment for you. While we can alter the tone or shape a bit, it will not be by more than a couple of shades. The result is meant to be subtle.
Testing Different Shades
The color we use is really up to you. We discuss what you are looking for beforehand, and we will create a custom color just for you. Before your appointment, try on your favorite lipstick colors in different neutral shades of rose, coral, and brown tones to see what meshes best with your skin tone. Then bring those with you (it doesn't hurt to have some reference photos either). That way, on appointment day you’ll be able to give an accurate idea of what you want. Once we mix a color up, you can always add or take away certain tones before the tattooing begins.
The Lip Blushing Healing Process
As with any tattoo, there is a healing process. Immediately after your appointment, your lips will appear bright and stained, but don’t panic. Once your lips completely heal—which usually takes around four weeks—the color will fade upwards towards 50 percent and blend naturally with your lips. You will also experience some scabbing the first week after your appointment as your skin heals, so it is very important to keep your lips moisturized with heavy-duty lip balm those first few weeks.
Aftercare is Key
We urge patients not to pick at the dry skin while the lips scab and heal, as this can disrupt the color. You can soothe the skin during the healing process by applying a tattoo aftercare ointment. Besides keeping the area clean and not picking at scabs, there are a few other aftercare practices that are key to ensure your lips heal well. We recommend clients avoid working out or sweating for two weeks and no tanning or excess sun exposure for 30 days. Keep your lips as dry as possible (besides aftercare ointment) to avoid premature scabbing and refrain from booking any facial or chemical treatments that include alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), Retin-A, or glycolic acid.
Plan for a Touch-Up
Sometimes the skin on your lips is rougher. This can cause some areas to appear darker or more blurred than others after one session. If this happens to you, don’t panic! A few months after my first session, come for a touch-up and we will be happy to fix any blemishes to ensure you have your desired look!
Do Not Expect Dramatic Results
If you are looking for a permanent retro red shade or super sharp lines, this is not the treatment for you. While we can alter the tone or shape a bit, it will not be by more than a couple of shades. The result is meant to be subtle.
Testing Different Shades
The color we use is really up to you. We discuss what you are looking for beforehand, and we will create a custom color just for you. Before your appointment, try on your favorite lipstick colors in different neutral shades of rose, coral, and brown tones to see what meshes best with your skin tone. Then bring those with you (it doesn't hurt to have some reference photos either). That way, on appointment day you’ll be able to give an accurate idea of what you want. Once we mix a color up, you can always add or take away certain tones before the tattooing begins.
The Lip Blushing Healing Process
As with any tattoo, there is a healing process. Immediately after your appointment, your lips will appear bright and stained, but don’t panic. Once your lips completely heal—which usually takes around four weeks—the color will fade upwards towards 50 percent and blend naturally with your lips. You will also experience some scabbing the first week after your appointment as your skin heals, so it is very important to keep your lips moisturized with heavy-duty lip balm those first few weeks.
Aftercare is Key
We urge patients not to pick at the dry skin while the lips scab and heal, as this can disrupt the color. You can soothe the skin during the healing process by applying a tattoo aftercare ointment. Besides keeping the area clean and not picking at scabs, there are a few other aftercare practices that are key to ensure your lips heal well. We recommend clients avoid working out or sweating for two weeks and no tanning or excess sun exposure for 30 days. Keep your lips as dry as possible (besides aftercare ointment) to avoid premature scabbing and refrain from booking any facial or chemical treatments that include alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), Retin-A, or glycolic acid.
Plan for a Touch-Up
Sometimes the skin on your lips is rougher. This can cause some areas to appear darker or more blurred than others after one session. If this happens to you, don’t panic! A few months after my first session, come for a touch-up and we will be happy to fix any blemishes to ensure you have your desired look!