Lip blushing is the new semi-permanent makeup treatment we all cannot seem to get off our lips (even literally). Just like others like microblading, eyeliner tattoo, etc., here is another way to wake up feeling chic with zero applications. With lip blushing, you wake up with flawless, and elegantly flushed lips. This process rids you of the rigors of applying lip balm, lipstick, or lip gloss every morning.
Are Lip blush tattoos expensive? Yes, the process is quite expensive. Yet, fans of the treatment still gush about the incredible natural-looking effects it gives them. Plus, considering how much time this process saves you, it is worth every dime.
For more details about this newly raging treatment, we take insight from top cosmetic tattoo experts and skincare specialists. They have walked the terrain and with their wealth of knowledge and experience, below is what lip blushing is all about. It might not just be what you think it is. Well, keep reading to find out.
What Is Lip Blushing and Why Should You Do It?
Lip blushing is a kind of cosmetic tattooing that provides semi-permanent lip color enhancement. The process does this by inserting colored ink into the lips using a motorized needle. What you get afterward is subtle, not drenched. That is because of the new improvements in semi-permanent makeup techniques.
One of the experts, Shaughnessy Otsuji, a cosmetic tattoo artist and co-founder of Studio Sashiko in Langley, British Columbia, Canada has the following to say:
“Lip blush tattooing is similar to the whip-shading or pepper-shading techniques seen in traditional tattooing. Using a single needle and a quick, consistent hand motion, we can create a series of dots as opposed to a solid line as the needle goes in and out of the machine, penetrating the skin.”
The tattoo result you get is expected to last for about two to three years. The tattoo imbues lips with a flattering shade. This flattering shade looks like a balm or stain. After undergoing the lip blushing process, you can still wear lip colors and lipsticks. They come in handy to alter your look the way you want it. However, most lip blush patients prefer to go without applying lip makeup.
Otsuji adds that “For some clients… the goal is not having to apply a daily lip color or gloss. At the end of the procedure, the client should feel more confident with baring their ’natural,’ product-free lips.”
Why Should You Do Lip Blushing?
Do you want your lips to have that beautiful, barely-there flush void of the lifetime obligation of a regular tattoo? Then, you need lip blushing. Here are the various benefits you enjoy after undergoing the lip blushing treatment:
- Fuller-looking lips without the need for surgery or injectable
- Color modification for scars and unequal pigmentation
- Enhanced pigmentation for pale and aging lips
- The ability to personalize your lip shade
- Long-lasting lip color
- Improved lip symmetry
When you consider these immediate benefits, lip blush tattooing is deservedly an in-demand treatment. There are testaments to its popularity all around you.
Our second expert is Veronica Tran. She is the founder of Pretty in the City Lash & Brow Bar in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
According to her, “[Lip blushing is] very similar to many advances in brow artistry, where the goal in most cases is not to appear ‘made up’ but to enhance one’s features.”
This cosmetic procedure is also suitable for a wide range of skin complexions. For Otsuji, “Lip tattooing can work well on all different skin types when done by an experienced professional. Proper care must be taken when working on lips that are rich in melanin as there is a higher risk of hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) if the area is overworked.”
How Long Does Lip Blushing Last?
As mentioned above, lip blushing normally lasts between two to three years. After this period, it begins to lighten and fade slowly over time. Eventually, your lips gradually return to their natural color.
In essence, your lips end up looking for lighter after two years than they will after six months. This explains why most tattoo artists advise annual refresh appointments. Such appointments will help to extend the stay of that lip shade you desire.
You might want to know if the lip blushing treatment hurts. Honestly, it does. This is a tattoo on your mouth. It certainly will. However, your tattoo artist should apply a topical numbing cream. This cream will considerably reduce the pain you will feel.
Note: Every individual’s pain limit is unique. Yet, in general, the pain of lip blushing is mostly depicted as light scratches or small pinches. There is nothing unbearable or scary about the pain. In fact, as we found out, feeling any major discomfort or pain is a huge red flag. That shows that something’s not right with the procedure.
How about the lip blushing healing process?
Just like any tattoo, you will go through a healing process. Soon after your session, your lips will seem super bright and smeared. There is absolutely no cause for panic. Immediately your lips are fully healed—which normally should be in four days—the color will fade up to 50 percent. That leaves you with a natural blend on your lips. Final result and color will show after 4 weeks.
More so, you’ll experience some scabbing the first week after your session. This scanning comes on as your skin heals. Therefore, you must keep your lips moistened. Applying a heavy-duty lip balm in those first few weeks will do a lot of good. We will give you a special after care cream that help you to get best healing and result.
Preparing For Your Lip Blushing Treatment
The preparation for your lip blush tattoo might have to start many weeks before your scheduled appointment with your artist. Also, you need to speak with your doctor before going under the needle.
According to Otsuji, you should stay away from lip blush tattoos if you:
- are exposed to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation/hypopigmentation
- take steroids, Accutane (isotretinoin), or blood-thinning prescriptions
- suffer from cold sores, or
- are pregnant or a nursing mother
You do not suffer from any of the above conditions? Then, all you need to do is to make sure your lips are generally healthy. Ensure they are well hydrated before your lip blushing treatment. These precautions are more important if you’re prone to seasonal flakiness. Otsuji says, “If you have severely chapped lips in the winter or if you’re a sun goddess in the summer, it’s a good idea to wait out the season and allow your lips time to recover.”
Be sure you prep your lips a few days before your tattoo using daily applications of lip balm and scrub. Otsuji advises that your “Skin should be smooth, soft, and hydrated before the procedure to allow for even pigment saturation and proper healing overall.”
Also, you must stay away from cocktails the day before your lip blushing treatment. Specialists in this practice suggest staying off alcoholic drinks for at least 24 hours before your session.
For those uncertain whether they are a suitable candidate for lip blushing, fix an appointment with your artist. It should be a time for you both to chat before your session. Several cosmetic tattoo professionals like Elix Beauty give free consultations. Otsuji advises that “A consultation and a patch test is always recommended if there are any uncertainties.”
The Lip Blushing Process
It begins with your artist creating a one-of-a-kind tint for your lips depending on what your desired look is. Our third expert is Christopher Drummond. He is a licensed esthetician and cosmetic tattoo expert for PFrankMD Skin Salon in New York.
He explains that “Each shade is customized to match your lip color and what you want. As a professional makeup artist, I work with you to create your perfect custom shade.” He then recommends a “light tint” for that delicate, plumped result. It is just like your lips. But, this time, it is a better version.
Consider nudes, subtle pinks, corals, and mauves if you have medium or dark skin with a calm undertone. In this case, your artist may start by applying a “vibrant orange pigment.” That helps to offset your normal lip color and bring to life the shade of your dreams.
For those who prefer a more daring color, you may need to adjust your desires. Do not expect lip blush to replicate the result your favorite dark lipstick gives you. Otsuji says, “The color of your lips will generally be enhanced by one or two shades.”
Have you now selected your lip color? The next step is for your artist to probably map out your lip tattoo using lipstick or lip liner. That way, they ensure they fix exactly your chosen shape. Afterward, your artist proceeds to apply a topical numbing cream to your lips to ease the pain.
As soon as the numbing cream takes effect, your artist will start the tattooing process. It begins with the pigment being inserted into your lips with the help of a mechanical gun. At first, you will get a light stippling feeling on your lips as the process begins.
From the beginning till the end, the procedure cannot last over an hour and a half. Once your treatment session is over, your lips will look much darker than they’ll be when they heal completely. According to Otsuji, “The healed color will appear about 30 to 50 percent lighter than the initial results.”
Several lip blush artists advise scheduling a touch-up appointment after your first go-round. The should be about eight weeks after your procedure. Also, Otsuji recommends “Multiple sessions may be required if the client requests to neutralize, lighten or even out the overall tone of their lips.”
Permanent Lip Color vs Lip Blushing
Permanent and semi-permanent makeup techniques for lips aren’t a new trend. However, today’s lip blushing is different from the permanent makeup that used to be in the 1990s.
Otsuji explains that “Cosmetic tattooing has come a long way in the last 10 years! The harsh, dark tattooed lip liner that was once popular has since been replaced by a … soft diffused wash of color that complements your natural skin and lip tone.”
Another expert we took insight from is Suzanne Friedler, MD, FAAD. She is a board-certified dermatologist working with Advanced Dermatology, PC, in New York.
She also explains that “In the past, permanent lipstick artists used tattoo inks placed deep in the skin to achieve bright pigmentation and permanent results. In contrast, lip blushing uses natural pigments placed superficially in the skin to create semi-permanent and subtle enhancement of the lips.”
Likely Side Effects of Lip Blushing
Friedler believes that “With any form of permanent or semi-permanent makeup, there are risks of infection, allergic reactions, and poor technique resulting in uneven application. It is important to choose a licensed technician with sterile technique and lots of experience.”
For Tran, most side effects of lip blushing are not severe. She explains that “There is some swelling immediately after the procedure. Some clients swell more than others. Most will look like they recently had lip fillers injected.” Likewise, redness is another familiar age effect. Bruising might be rarer. But, it can happen.
For Otsuji, she explains that “Similar to a regular tattoo, there will be some peeling as the tattoo heals. This is completely normal and part of the skin’s regenerative process.”
The Cost of Getting This Treatment
Similar to other professional cosmetic treatments, the price is the kicker with lip blushing. Christopher Drummond states that a lip tattoo treatment can cost between $500 and $1500.
Besides, the cost will vary based on where you live, and the level of experience your artist has. Again, how much pigment your lips require to get your desired shade also matters. You will find artists that charge extra fees for touch-ups. In such a case, you can expect to part with as little as $150. Sometimes, the cost might run into several hundred dollars as well.
Always see your lip blush tattoo like you would see any other tattoo procedure. You don’t want $50 worth of tattoo procedures. Also, you don’t want a semi-permanent lip treatment that allows you to pay less than you get some tubes of lipstick. Therefore, it is advisable to go for the best regardless of the cost. But, do your research to be sure they are that good.
Lip Blushing Aftercare
First off, note that the healing process for lip blush tattoos will last about five to 10 days. According to Drummond, within 24 hours of your lip blush tattoo treatment, you can lessen the swelling and tenderness. All you need to do is to apply ice packs draped in neat paper towels.
Otsuji advises, “Keeping the area clean and applying a healing balm as needed will make the healing process easy to manage.”
Ensure your tattoo stays clean. Using fragrance-free cleansing wipes or water before applying an occlusive ointment as required will help. Otsuji recommends Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($5) or Zensa Healing Cream ($25). These two will protect your lips and get the hydration sealed in.
During your healing process, take a break from workouts and frequently touching your lips. Stay away from anything that can potentially disturb or infect your lips. Otsuji advises that you “Avoid sweating, swimming, kissing, eating spicy foods, and applying any cosmetics to the area until they are fully healed.” Tran also advises against saunas and sunbathing. They are also no-no’s during your healing process.
It is not strange when your healing lips begin to peel. However, resist the urge to pick your lips or scrub at flaky areas. Doing so can distort your final results. Otsuji says, “That can cause premature pigment loss and patchiness.”
Moreover, if your lip tattoo looks like it practically vanishes shortly after the healing process, don’t worry. Tran explains that “This is perfectly normal and part of the healing process. The color will appear within a few weeks.”
Conclusion
Do your part and all the process take its course? As long as you can swing the cost and healing time needed, lip blushing cannot be more effortless. This treatment is about a zero-maintenance beauty service as it can get. Lip blushing can save precious getting-ready time for you every day. However, take your time to do your homework before you take that leap.
Tran advises you to “Make sure your artist is licensed by their local health/licensing board. One of the requirements is a passed health/safety inspection. Usually, you will see a certificate displayed. If you don’t see it, ask.”
Otsuji and Friedler suggest surveying a variety of artists’ portfolios. Do this before you go ahead with the process. Friedler says, “Be sure to review before and after photos of people with similar skin coloring to your own.” While Otsuji advises that “An artists’ portfolio should showcase a collection of fresh and healed work. Book a consultation and ask as many questions as you need!”
When you do all of these, you will certainly get the right person for the job. To begin your scout for a competent cosmetic artist, Elix Beauty is a good place to start.