Everything to know about Lip Blush
The purpose of this page is to educate you & reassure you! Choosing your Permanent Cosmetic artist is not something that should be taken lightly. Some things to consider when choosing an artist:
These procedures fall under the Tattoo category of state regulations. Every Permanent Cosmetic artist MUST have a Tattoo License, Bloodborne Pathogens certificate, & undergo annual, spontaneous inspections. In addition to this, it’s important to have specialized training specifically in permanent cosmetics, different lip techniques, color theory, needle theory, balancing melanated lips, corrections & neutralizing, & yearly training. Unfortunately, these subjects are not taught in a general certified course, these are specialized extended courses that responsible artists will pursue.
This page is divided into different parts
You can click on a category to skip to that section of the page:
LIPS
LIPS
Lip Blush is done using a rotary machine and cartridge to implant pigment into the lips in order to enhance the color & provide the illusion of more definition. It heals very soft in color, similar to the effect of a lip-stain. It can also make your lips appear more “plump” by adding color to the vermilion border, which is where your lip tissue begins to lose its color on the outermost border & fades into facial skin. The illusion of fullness is also created by giving the lips more contour, which can be done by implanting a lighter color in the middle area of the bottom lip.
Lip Blush Technique
2. Procedure Process
Rest assured that the way I do these procedures are by breaking them down into steps to make certain that you feel absolutely confident before moving forward each step of the way. This procedure is not rushed. I cushion a lot of extra time beyond the “expected” procedure time, just in CASE! With this being said, please don’t come in a rush either, or have a pressing obligation immediately following the procedure.
Once you arrive to your appointment I will discuss with you what your overall Lip Blushing goals are. You can also show me inspirational photos of lip colors you love, or bring your favorite lipstick/ lip gloss shades with you! I will take some “before” photos, which I will then show you at the very end of your appointment so we can admire the transition together!
I will begin by cleansing your lips, & then numbing them with a topical anesthetic. While you numb, I’ll have you look through a pamphlet of colors I have. I can combine different colors, tone them up, or tone them down, you name it - I can modify it! We will also cover your Aftercare kit, instructions, & healing in this time frame.
Once you’re finished numbing, I then spend about 30-45 minutes creating a Pre-Draw design on your lips. I must stay within the vermilion border, but there is some wiggle-room to fine-tune when it comes to the cupid’s bow shape. I make sure to look at you from all perspectives - lying down, sitting up, & at different angles. Once I am completely satisfied with the Pre-Draw that I created, I will show you and have you spill all of your own thoughts! This may be that you’d like them a little more narrow, vs little more rounded, a shallow cupid’s bow vs a deep cup’s bow, OR that you absolutely love them and are ready to move forward beyond this step. Please find comfort in that I WANT you to share your thoughts! This luscious lip design is going on YOUR face so I want you to be as in love with it as I am! I will adjust the shape (within reason) until you feel FABULOUS!
My supplies are single-use disposable to maintain the most sanitary environment for each client. My pigments are hypoallergenic & adhere to EU Reach Compliance (these European regulations are much more strict than the FDA). Tattoo pigments in the USA are not regulated; the FDA does not regulate them.
Now I will begin tattooing! I usually do 3 passes per upper & bottom lip, and in between each pass I will re-numb the lip that I am not working on. If you have high sensitivity (ie: more sensitive at dental appts) please feel free to let me know, and I can extend your numbing time.
Before you know it, you have GORGEOUSLY colored lips & your confidence has skyrocketed. You will be so excited to know that you’ll no longer need to re-apply lipstick/ lip gloss throughout the day! The most common feedback I hear is that my client’s wish they would’ve just done it sooner!
You are not a candidate for this procedure if:
You are under 18 years old.
You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
must wait 3 months after, for both.
You have been on an antibiotic within 2 weeks of the procedure time.
You have received lip filler within 6 weeks of the procedure time.
You have had surgery within 8 weeks of the procedure time.
Or you’ll be having surgery within 8 weeks following your Lip Blush procedure.
You’ve had an organ transplant.
must consult your doctor, and wait a minimum of 1 year.
must no longer be on anti-rejection medication.
You have used Accutane anytime within the past 12 months.
You have a heart condition, pacemaker, or defibrillator.
You have epilepsy.
You have “keloid” scars (raised scarring).
You have an autoimmune disease and/or diabetes.
must consult your doctor, condition must be stable.
must know retention isn’t as optimal, and Color Boosts may be needed sooner.
You have hemophilia.
You are undergoing chemo/radiation therapy.
must consult your doctor & have a permission note.
You are prescribed anticoagulant medication (blood thinners). This includes aspirin.
must consult your doctor.
must know retention isn’t as optimal, and Color Boosts may be needed sooner.
HSV-1, fever blisters/ cold sores
must be medicated 3 days before the procedure, day of, and for 4 days after.
Dry, chapped lips
must follow the “Preparation” instructions below, as required.
Feeling sick, or have a viral infection
3. Contraindications
Preparing for Lip Blush is a must in order to have optimal retention! For the week leading up to the procedure, you should abstain from aspirin & fish oil. If you are on blood thinners you should consult your doctor prior to the procedure. Within 72 hours of the procedure, you should abstain from lipstick. Within 48 hours of the procedure, you should abstain from smoking, coffee, and alcohol. The longer you can abstain from these things, the better the results will be.
It is imperative that you come to your appointment with soft moisturized lips. Please use a sugar scrub & moisturizing mask for 3-4 nights prior to your treatment. I’ve listed a simple recipe to create your own at home. Scrub your lips for 1-2 minutes, wipe off the excess with a wet cloth, and then apply a thick mask of Coconut Oil or Shea Butter. Let the mask sit for 15-20 minutes. Continue keeping your lips moisturized with lip balm throughout the day.
If you have EVER experienced a cold sore/ fever blister (HSV-1), then you MUST begin taking prescription medication the day of your treatment, as prescribed by your doctor. A lip procedure will prompt an outbreak and affect the healing and end results. Generally, you can call your doctor for a prescription of Acyclovir which is normally taken 3 days prior to the procedure, the day of the procedure, and continued for 4 days after (typically prescribed in 200 mg doses to take 5-6 times per day, totaling in 1000-1200 mg per day). Follow the advice of your healthcare professional on dosage amounts and the length of treatment.
If you have dark lips you may need a few sessions of neutralizing before choosing the desired pigment color. This is because without neutralizing first, your lips can heal much cooler & darker, becoming an unnatural blue tone. Dark lips have purple and brown hues, or spots. Dark lips vary between a client having hyperpigmentation or melanin rich lips. Hyperpigmentation is generally caused by outside factors including smoking habits, sun damage, inflammation, scarring, medications, hormonal changes, or damage to the lips. Melanin rich lips are seen in clients whose ethnicity have a predisposition for increased melanin throughout the body including the lips. Please consult with me before scheduling an appointment so we can discuss what to expect. Read through the “Neutralizing” section for better understanding.
4. Preparation
Ingredients
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon organic honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon lukewarm water
Directions
Start by mixing the coconut oil & honey
Add the brown sugar & lukewarm water
Rub the mixture on your lips in a circular motion for 1-2 minutes & then rinse with lukewarm water
This section is ONLY if you have dark lips. If you have dark lips (such as, purple and brown hues, or spots of hyperpigmentation) you may need a few sessions of neutralizing before choosing the desired pigment color. As discussed briefly in the “Preparation” section, I would like to elaborate a little more here to give you an idea of what it means. Please see the photo below (permitted to use from Sculpted Studios where I’ve completed special training for hyperpigmented & melanin rich lips).
5. Neutralizing
Special training is needed to be able to work on darker lips. This is because dark lips must be neutralized first. In regards to Lip Blush, neutralizing means cancelling-out or balancing the dark tones. Applying ordinary lip pigment may look pleasant immediately after the procedure, but will heal very cool and usually turn the lips into an unnatural blue tone. This is because those undertones must be addressed and neutralized first. Neutralizing the lips require working with a very specific technique and lip pigment colors that have yellow, orange, and peach bases. After the procedure your lips will appear as a lighter nude tone. It will then soften 30-40% during the healing process, which is why you may need a few neutralizing sessions so we can see how your specific lips heal, and then layer accordingly. Once your lips are neutralized and healed, we can then decide on your desired target color for Lip Blush. You may also find that you love the neutral color that this process provided and not want to choose a new target color. Everyone is different and everyone’s lips are unique!
AFTER your Lip Blush procedure:
Do not expose lips to full pressure of shower water.
Avoid spicy foods for a week
Avoid kissing for at least a week
No picking, scrubbing, or exfoliating the lip area for 2 weeks.
Avoid sweating, and heavy exercise for 2 weeks
Avoid swimming for 2 weeks
Avoid makeup on the lips for 2 weeks
No cleansing products containing acids (glycolic, lactic, AHA), or exfoliants around the mouth area for 2 weeks.
No skincare products that contain anti-aging and acne treatment ingredients around the mouth area for 2 weeks.
No facials, botox, chemical treatments, or microdermabrasion for 4 weeks.
Avoid direct sun exposure, and tanning for 4 weeks
No lip fillers for at least 8 weeks.
No smoking for at least 6-8 weeks. If you plan on continuing to smoke after that time period, please be aware that it can naturally cause hyperpigmentation and darken the tattooed pigment color
6. Aftercare & Healing
Aftercare instructions:
You will receive an Aftercare Kit with everything you need to take care of your lips while healing. You will cleanse your lips for 7 days & keep them moisturized for 14 days, following the instructions provided during your appointment.
Healing Process:
Color Boosts are important to maintain the fresh & vivid color of your lips. The pigment used for permanent cosmetics is made to soften, & continue to fade over the years. If it was not made this way, or if body-pigment was used instead, then the coloring on the lips would age into harsh cool tones.
Everyone differs on WHEN they will need a Color Boost. Your skin-type, lifestyle, & environmental factors will influence how soon you will need a Color Boost.
For Lip Blush I recommend:
I recommend the first Color Boost to be done around 4-6 months.
After that, I recommend a Color Boost once every 3 years (or longer).
The soonest you could do the very first Color Boost is after 8 weeks, HOWEVER, that is not usually necessary for my clients. It is important for your lips to soften before adding more & more color to them. Too much color too soon can cause them too look over saturated and become a “lipstick” look rather than the appearance of a soft “lip stain.”
Client’s with certain health conditions (autoimmune diseases, hormonal conditions, etc.) will need a Color Boost slightly sooner than the average client.
Here are some examples that will cause your permanent cosmetics to soften sooner:
oily skin
tanning or sunbathing
swimming in chlorine
anti-aging products
acne treatments
chemical peel treatments
microdermabrasion
autoimmune disease
hormonal imbalances
If you’re ever wondering whether your Lip Blush could use a Color Boost, or not, feel free to message me with a photo and I will let you know my thoughts!