The Healing Stages of Lip Blush Tattoos: What to Expect and How to Ensure the Best Results
A lip blush tattoo is a fantastic way to enhance the natural shape and color of your lips, providing a soft, long-lasting flush of color. However, like any cosmetic tattoo, the healing process is a crucial step to achieving the best results. Understanding the stages of healing and how to properly care for your new tattoo can make all the difference in achieving vibrant, smooth, and long-lasting lips.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the healing stages of a lip blush tattoo, provide key aftercare tips, and highlight the potential consequences if the healing process isn’t followed correctly.
The Healing Stages of Lip Blush Tattoo
The healing process for a lip blush tattoo typically takes about 3–5 days, though the full settling of the color can take a few months. During this time, your lips will go through several stages of healing. Here’s a breakdown of each stage:
1. Day 1: Immediate Aftercare and Initial Appearance
What happens: After the procedure, your lips will look bold, saturated, and somewhat swollen. This is completely normal as the pigment is fresh and the skin is reacting to the tattooing process. Expect some redness and slight irritation around the tattooed area.
What you need to do:
-
- Apply the recommended aftercare ointment as instructed by your technician to keep the area moisturized.
- Avoid touching your lips with unclean hands to prevent infection.
- Use a clean, soft cloth to blot any excess moisture or ointment.
- Do not schedule events or important meetings after procedure
2. Days 2–3: Swelling and Drying Out
What happens: As your lips heal, the initial swelling will start to go down, and you may notice a dry, tight feeling around your lips. The pigment may appear darker or uneven as it settles into the skin.
What you need to do:
-
- Keep the area moisturized with the aftercare product.
- Gently cleanse your lips with mild, fragrance-free soap and water if necessary, and pat dry.
- Avoid any activities that could cause irritation, like rubbing or excessive talking, opening mouth too big, exercising and sauna.
- When using mask, always use disposable clean mask every hour as this can cause bacterial build up and infection to occur. If possible, do not wear mask when not needed.
3. Days 4–5: Scabbing and Peeling Begins
What happens: Your lips will begin to form scabs as the top layer of skin starts to heal and slough off. It’s important not to pick or scratch at the scabs, as this can cause the pigment to come off unevenly, leading to patchy results.
What you need to do:
-
- Keep the lips hydrated with your aftercare ointment.
- Avoid picking, scratching, or peeling the scabs. Let them fall off naturally.
- Continue to protect your lips from direct sun exposure and avoid swimming or soaking your lips in water.
4. Days 6–7: Peeling Completes and Color Begins to Settle
What happens: By this stage, most of the peeling will be complete, and the color will start to fade slightly as it settles into the skin. Your lips may look lighter or more faded than the initial dark hue. Don’t worry – this is a normal part of the healing process, and the color will become more vibrant over the next few weeks.
What you need to do:
-
- Keep moisturizing your lips and avoid exposing them to harsh elements.
- Avoid makeup or lip products on the tattooed area to allow it to heal properly.
- Be gentle when washing your face or lips.
5. Weeks 2–4: Color Fades and Final Results Start to Show
What happens: During this period, the pigment will continue to settle into the skin, and the color will become softer and more natural. Any excess pigment that hasn’t settled will gradually fade, and the final outcome should start to be visible.
What you need to do:
-
- Continue to protect your lips from direct sun exposure, as UV rays can cause fading.
- If the color appears uneven or too light, don’t be alarmed. A touch-up session with your technician may be necessary to perfect the results.
6. 6-8 Weeks: Touch-Up Session (If Needed)
What happens: After your initial healing, your lips will be fully healed, and you may notice areas where the color has faded more than others. A touch-up session is typically recommended at this stage to refine the color and shape.
What you need to do:
-
- Schedule a touch-up appointment with your technician if needed.
- Maintain good aftercare practices to ensure your lips heal well after the touch-up.
What Can Happen If Aftercare Instructions Aren’t Followed
While lip blush tattoos can offer stunning results, improper aftercare can lead to various issues that may compromise the final outcome. Here are some potential problems that could arise if proper care is not taken during the healing process:
1. Infection
Failure to keep your lips clean or touching the tattooed area with dirty hands can introduce bacteria into the skin, leading to infection. Signs of infection include excessive redness, swelling, pus, and pain. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your technician or a healthcare provider immediately. If you are prone to cold sores, cold sore outbreak might happen. Do not panic, If you feel tingling sensation with little bubbles forming on lip surface, head to pharmacy and get over the counter antibiotic topical cream.
2. Uneven Pigment or Patchiness
Picking at the scabs, peeling them off prematurely, or rubbing the lips too vigorously can cause the pigment to be removed unevenly. This results in a patchy or incomplete look. The healing skin needs time to absorb the pigment, and interfering with the process can disrupt this.
3. Color Fading
If you expose your tattooed lips to direct sunlight without protection or use harsh skincare products on the area, the pigment may fade prematurely. The lips should be kept moisturized, and the use of SPF should be a priority after the tattoo heals.
4. Scarring
Picking, scratching, or rubbing the tattooed area can cause scarring. This can lead to uneven skin texture and potentially affect the final color outcome. Scarring is irreversible and can impact the quality of future touch-ups or corrective procedures.
5. Prolonged Healing or Inflammation
Neglecting the aftercare instructions can result in prolonged healing or ongoing inflammation. This may cause discomfort and delay the full settling of the pigment, which affects the final appearance.
Top Aftercare Tips to Ensure a Beautiful Heal
To ensure that your lip blush tattoo heals properly and looks its best, here are some essential aftercare tips:
Follow your technician’s aftercare instructions: Every technician may have slightly different advice, so be sure to follow their specific guidelines for your lip tattoo.
Avoid sun exposure: Protect your lips from direct sunlight during the healing process. UV rays can cause fading and irritation to the delicate skin.
Stay moisturised: Keep your lips hydrated by applying the recommended ointment or lip balm as directed.
No picking or scratching: Let the scabs naturally fall off to avoid disturbing the pigment.
Avoid makeup: Refrain from using lipstick, lip gloss, or any other makeup on the tattooed area for 10 days.
Conclusion
The healing process for a lip blush tattoo is an essential part of achieving beautiful, natural-looking results. Understanding the healing stages, following proper aftercare instructions, and taking steps to protect your lips can ensure that your tattoo heals beautifully and lasts longer. By taking care of your lips, you’re not only ensuring a smooth recovery but also making sure that you get the most out of your new, enhanced lip color.
If you follow these tips and avoid common pitfalls like picking scabs or neglecting aftercare, you can enjoy perfectly healed, stunning lips for months to come. Happy healing!