Lip Care

Preparation

Please follow these pre-care instructions to prevent bleeding, sensitivity, and poor retention during your session

Day of appointment

  • Items to Bring: comfortable clothes, water bottle, blanket (can get quite cold in my studio!), earbuds to listen to your own music and podcasts (no big headphones as they will be uncomfortable during tattooing)

  • Take Tylenol 1 hour before your appointment if you are sensitive to pain

  • Eat beforehand if you are prone to feeling light headed and dizzy. You’ll want to avoid eating for a couple hours after your session

  • If you are particular about your color consider bringing in your favorite lip products or have photos ready

  • Avoid heavy face makeup. Can get quite messy and will wiped off during the process. If you decide to wear it, bring your makeup to retouch

  • Consider bringing lashes to wear for the after photos. They pull the look together!

What to do and avoid:

  • For best retention please exfoliate your lips with a clean toothbrush or wash cloth the week of your session but no later than 48 hours before the procedure. Moisturize with Aquaphor and keep hydrated each day. The softer your lips are the easier it is to implant pigment. If your lips are very dry we may not be able to continue with your session

  • If you are prone to cold sores please take anti-viral medicine 5 days before, day of appointment, and 5 days after (or as advised by your doctor or pharmacist)

  • No caffeine or alcohol 48 hours before your procedure

  • Stop blood thinning medication 48 hours before your procedure such as alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen, niacin, vitamin E, Omega 3) – these will cause excess bleeding and may affect your results

  • Tanning should be avoided for at least 2 weeks prior and approximately 2 weeks after

  • Stop using any skin thinners and lighteners (vitamin A, vitamin C, retinol, glycolic acids, alpha hydroxyl) on the brow area 2 weeks before your appointment

  • Fillers should be done at least 4 weeks prior and no sooner than 4 weeks after the final session. Do not get any botox or fillers between your initial appointment and your perfecting session

  • If using any type of Accutane, you must stop topical application at least 6 months prior and internal dosage (pills) for at least a year before services. Failure to do so can cause severe scarring

Aftercare

Day of session blot your lips: With a damp cotton pad, please blot your lips every hour to prevent build up of limp and heavy scabbing.

Ointment when lips feel dry: Apply a thin layer of Aquaphor (No Vaseline! It’s too thick) consistently throughout the day. Do not let your lips become dry. Keep ointment on your lips to protect it from water, foods, and use a straw to drink and retrieve water into your mouth

Wash morning and night: Wash your hands before treating the area then wash lips with mild soap (like Dial) or gentle cleanser (like Cetaphil or CeraVe) to remove the fluid

What to do and avoid:

  • If you are prone to or are experiencing any cold sores please get a prescription of anti-viral medicine as soon as possible to prevent an outbreak

  • You may apply an ice pack (which must be protected with a barrier) for 10 minute intervals for the first 48 hours

  • You may wear lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balm after 7 days. Use products with SPF 50 to help protect your color. Do not use mineral oil, petroleum based products, or products that will lighten the pigment

  • Use a straw to drink any and all liquid. Avoid putting your healing lips directly on cups

  • No scrubbing, rubbing or picking at the epithelial crust (scabs) that form; allow it to flake off by itself. If it is removed before it is ready, the pigment underneath may be pulled out

  • No cleansers and chemicals on the lips. Wash your face carefully avoiding the lip area for 5-7 days

  • No moisture to the lips such as hot soups and hot drinks for 5-7 days

  • No biting into large foods. Cut food into tiny bites and place them into your mouth. Do not bite into greasy, oily, salty, or spicy foods

  • No constant wiping with napkins or licking your lips as this will impede the healing process

  • No water on the new pigmented areas as much as possible for the first 5 days. Have ointment on the lip area to protect them from water. Do not stand in front of the shower head when showering. Before brushing your teeth seal the lips with ointment first. Use a small amount of toothpaste. Use a straw to retrieve water to rinse with.

  • No bleaching or whitening your teeth while healing

  • No direct sun exposure to the lips or tanning beds for one month. This is new skin and will sunburn easily. Direct sun may cause scarring and alter the pigment color

  • No activity that will cause excessive sweating, hot steam, swimming

  • No smoking while the lips are healing

  • No kissing, rubbing, or friction on your newly tattooed lips until after 5-7 days or you may lose pigment

Healing process (general timeline)

  • Day 1: Lips will be very bright. You may experience swelling. This should subside within 24-48 hours

  • Day 2: Your lips will appear darker than they were initially as they are oxidized

  • Day 3-5: Your lips may begin to peel. Lips will appear patchy, light and possibly uneven

  • Day 5-7: Major peeling is over

  • Day 7-30+: Color will begin to resurface. For dark lip neutralization there will be periods where your lips look darker than how they were originally. Your lips are trying to regenerate. You will eventually see the new shade again.

Your lips may need two sessions or more to complete the look. The darker the lips the more sessions you will need. Please trust the process!