LIP BLUSH
Yours, but better! Enhance your natural color, brighten your dark or melanated lip, or reframe your lips by defining those lost edges.
Lip “blushing” or tinting is a cosmetic tattoo technique that places color over the whole pout! This can help with minor asymmetry of the mouth, pale or washed out looking lips, and colorless scars. The color appears bold at first, but heals to a softer, “just bitten” type of look, with subtle, yet perfect edges.
LIP NEUTRALIZATION
Neutralization is a technique used for brightening and blending the tones of dark, melanated lips. Depending on the color (and its saturation) of your lips, your desired result may take take more than 2 sessions, but we always start there and build up to more if needed.
+ What to expect
- We will decide on shape and color together during your appointment. If you have a lipstick or pencil you like for your daily look, bring it for a reference! We can't match exactly to your makeup, but it'll give us an idea of what type of end result you're looking for.
- Most clients report only mild discomfort, if any, with our gentle technique. Numbing can be applied if needed, however most clients end up going without it! If you are prone to swelling, you might feel a bit tender, but its temporary. Swelling subsides within 48 hours.
- Lip Blush is done with a rotary tattoo machine.
- Some unevenness of color is to be expected between initial sessions, which is why we offer a follow-up. This can also be thought of as building up a bolder color over multiple sessions, if desired.
- Exfoliate your lips gently (sugar scrubs are great!) 3-5 days prior, then moisturize them every few hours until your appointment for smoother results.
- If you wear foundation on the lower half of your face, bring it with you. It will get wiped off but you can reapply after the procedure, before photos.
- Soft, natural, blushy, and smudge-proof lips!
+ Aftercare
- Day of procedure: Wipe with aftercare pad, then moisturize with thick coating of the aftercare ointment. Repeat every 3-4 hours, and once before bed.
- Day after procedure: Wipe with aftercare pad, then moisturize with a coating of the aftercare ointment. Repeat every 3-4 hours.
- 2-3 days after procedure: Avoid spicy, acidic or minty foods and direct contact with food/drink. Use a straw to drink and a fork to eat, and try to avoid major or frequent contact with lips.
- The rest of the month: Use shea butter, aquaphor, or the provided aftercare ointment to keep your lips moist to protect the fresh color. Daily chapstick with SPF in it is highly recommended after you're healed!
+ Healing schedule
- Days 1-3: Your lips may be swollen, hot, and tender for 24-48 hours. The color may appear vivid or dramatic at first, but will soften 50% as it heals. The true color will develop a little each day, and can be seen after a month.
- Days 3-5: Lips will peel, but do not pick. Color underneath may appear light in color.
- Days 6-7: Lips may feel dry and chapped after peeling is complete. Continue to use Aquaphor daily. Color may seem frosty in appearance, but will become more matte as it continues to heal.
- Days 7-28: Color continues to bloom day by day. Keep moisturized. You may use lipstick if desired!
+ Before you book
- You must take an anti-viral (such as Valtrex) for the few days prior and a week following the lip procedure if you have EVER had a cold sore. For details about this, please contact us.
- If you have dry or chapped lips, moisturize daily with Aquaphor or Shea Butter for a week prior. If your lips are chapped or dry at the appointment, it can be painful and cause trauma, and the color won't hold. In these cases we have to reschedule you with a new deposit.
- It is fine to have fillers, as long as they are healed at least 4 weeks prior! Lip blush is a great solution for those blurred edges that can happen with expanding the lip over time with injections.
- Please avoid blood thinners such as pain relievers, alcohol, fish oil and caffeine (yes, coffee!) 18-24 hours prior to your appointment. This will help your color retention!
- This procedure is intended to give the appearance of more lively, yet natural lips. It is not intended to replace a heavy or concentrated lipstick, or to add volume.
- You shouldn't book if:
- You are pregnant or nursing
- You have a large amount of lip filler, or if it has migrated
- You are diabetic who is slow to heal wounds
- You are taking Accutane or blood thinners
- You are prone to unmanaged cold sore outbreaks
- You have chronically dry, cracked lips
- You are looking for a heavy lipstick look
- You're seeking larger lips (we recommend filler for volume because we can't overline your lips)
- Please get pre-approved for scars and reconstruction, over-filled lips, melanin-rich lips (dark tone neutralization), or if you are over 60 years old