Immediately following the procedure: Some tenderness, puffiness/swelling, and redness is expected. Heavy swelling and even bruising is normal, although rare. Lips will feel dry and chapped. Your lip tattoo will be brighter and bolder than what it will be once fully healed. Some will look more red than others, depending on natural lip color and pigment color. Don’t be concerned with the color & appearance, as this is part of the healing process.

Day 1 (Day of procedure): You will have slight to heavy swelling, depending on the amount of histamines in your body. You may have uneven swelling. Due to numbing, your lips may look bruised. Due to oxidation, your lip tattoo will begin to darken. Your tattoo might weep. Be sure to blot excess fluids off. Be sure to wash at bedtime and begin applying ointment. Avoid hot beverages. Drink with a straw. No “making out” of any kind.

Day 2-3: Your lips will likely chap and the tattoo will appear darker. Apply ointment several times a day. Keep lips moist at all times. Avoid oily, spicy, and heavily seasoned foods. After every meal gently rinse and clean lips with water and pat dry, then reapply ointment.

Day 4-7: Your lips will be chapped and the lip tattoo will flake. Continue to keep lips moist. Do not pick, scratch, itch, and/or rub your tattoo as this could result in the color healing unevenly, as well as risk scarring and/or infection*

Day 7-14: Your tattoo will finish flaking. Once finished, the color will be softer and lighter. Do not pick or peel the flakes off prematurely as this could result in the color healing unevenly, as well as risk scarring and/or infection.

Day 15-45: Color will fully bloom during this time, but the tattoo may still appear a little patchy until touch-up. It is important to continue keeping lips moist throughout the entire 6 week healing process.

All procedures are conducted in accordance with OSHA blood borne pathogen standards. Once you leave The Beauty Mark Permanent Makeup Studio, it is important to follow all aftercare instructions to avoid complications. Tenderness to the area is expected. This is a wound that must heal. Complications are extremely rare. However, if you observe any conditions that are not consistent with the healing process, such as any sign of infection, pus, red streaks stemming from the procedure area, or abnormal discharge or conditions, contact your physician for immediate treatment and advise Heather Wilhelm, Owner/Artist of The Beauty Mark Permanent Makeup Studio as soon as possible.

Next, read my article about Lip Blush Aftercare.