Frequently Asked Questions
Lip Blushing
What is ‘lip blushing?’
Lip blushing is a semi-permanent procedure to "‘blush” or add pigment to the lips. By using an acupuncture sized needle inserted into a digital device, I deposit pigment into the lip tissue. When fully healed, the lips will have a blush of color.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
Before scheduling, keep in mind I will not perform the procedure with anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic, undergoing chemotherapy, keloid scar prone, or has been on Accutane within the past year. Lip blushing is a low-risk procedure, however, I am taking extra caution on these matters. I thank you for understanding.
Pre-Appointment:
48hrs Before: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and blood thinners for a minimum of 48 hrs before your appointment. This includes fish oil supplements, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Niacin, and Vitamin E. By avoiding these products it limits the chance of too much bleeding. Consuming alcohol can also increase your susceptibility to pain and bleeding during the procedure.
Avoid heavy exfoliation (physical or chemical) on the lips before your appointment. The lip tissue will not respond well to the procedure when heavily exfoliated.
Keep your lips moisturized in the days before your appointment. Especially if you are prone to dry or chapped lips.
Please shave or wax your upper lip 48 hrs before your appointment.
3-4 Weeks Before: Avoid facial procedures such as Botox, fillers and any form of laser facial for 3-4 weeks prior. Do not use any exfoliation, retinol product, or chemical peels 3-4 weeks prior to your appointment. This includes Retin-A, Glycolic, Salicylic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy, and Pumpkin exfoliants. You may use these products after your lips have healed, however you must keep them away from your lips. They can alter the color of the pigment, or cause them to lighten much quicker.
Avoid any sun exposure (includes tanning beds) for 3-4 weeks prior and post appointment. Plan your vacation accordingly! I will not work on sun burnt skin.
What if I am cold-sore prone?
If you have ever had a cold sore in the past (even if it was just one, a long time ago), I will inform you to reach out to your physician, and have them prescribe a cold sore prevention medication. You must begin taking it within 72hrs of your appointment.
If you do not have any association with a physician, you may search ‘cold sore medication’ online, consult with a physician and acquire the medication.
If you have a cold sore the day of your procedure, we will reschedule until it has fully healed. This typically takes 2-3 weeks.
I smoke, am I a candidate?
Unfortunately, no. I will not perform this procedure on smokers. This includes any form of smoking, not just cigarettes.
If you quit smoking, and two full months pass, I will reevaluate your lips.
What is my aftercare?
I will provide you with everything you need for your healing process once you arrive, as well as a card containing what you need to know about your aftercare. However, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!
For 24 Hours Post Procedure: Avoid eating anything spicy, acidic or hot.
Drink out of a clean disposable straw.
For 10 Days Post Procedure: Do not touch the treated area, or let anything touch your lips. When applying the provided ointment to your lips, wash them for at least 30 seconds beforehand.
Brush teeth twice a day, and use mouthwash.
NO direct contact with water. That means NO hot tubs, pools, or natural bodies of water. Pay special attention when showering to avoid getting them wet. DO NOT wash them.
NO kissing during your healing. That means anywhere, or any thing, including pets.
NO makeup, skincare, or lotions on the treated area. The only thing that should be on your lips during healing is the ointment provided.
NO facials, intensive skin treatments, or laser treatments. Avoid laying on your face. Try not to let your lips touch any bedding when sleeping.
Avoid saunas, hot tubs, hot showers+baths, and steam of any kind.
NO sweating for 10 days after your appointment. So that means no workouts, running, or pilates. Sweating pushes the pigment out of your skin.
NO sun exposure or any form of tanning on your lips until fully healed. Once healed always wear SPF. The sun lightens pigment.
Do NOT pick at your flaking skin.
If wearing a mask, use disposables, and discard every 2 hours.
Long Term Care: Wear SPF on your lips to keep them protected. Sun exposure and tanning beds can fade your lip pigment over time.
No exfoliants, retinol, Retin-A’s, or AHA’s on your lips as they also fade the color. Keep these products away from your lips. If you get a facial, inform your esthetician to apply a layer of Aquafor or Vaseline over your lips before they begin the service.
Do not get laser on your lip area, some lasers alter the color of your lips.
What should I expect during my healing process?
The lips will be swollen immediately after the appointment. Swelling should go down within the next hour or so.
Lips appear bolder in color immediately after the session and will fade 20-50% once fully healed. You may notice some days they’re lighter and some days they’re slightly darker, but they will soon settle to their true color in about 3-4 weeks.
Your lips will start to flake on day 2 or 3 as the dead skin cells begin to slough off. Do NOT pick at the flakes. You don’t want to pull out any pigment prematurely.
Who is NOT a candidate for lip blushing?
Anyone who smokes. Smoking of any kind.
If you are prone to keloid or hypertrophic scarring.
If you have extremely wrinkled lips the pigment will not distribute evenly, and will not give a desired result.
Please message me if you are unsure whether you are a suitable candidate for lip blushing or not.
How long does it last?
After the first and 6-8 week touchup it can depend. With each skin type, different lifestyle, and quality of care, they can last between 1-3 years. You can get them retouched whenever you feel they need another session, as long as a year has gone by since your last session.
What can I expect at my appointment?
Once you arrive, we will have a chance to talk and get to know a little more about the process, healing, and aftercare. I’ll take some before photos, then we can discuss color choices and answer any questions you may have about the service.
I will pre-draw your lips with a white pencil that follows your natural lip border. You will be able to see the shape before we begin. After I measure for symmetry, we can get started with the tattoo. When scheduling your appointment, allow 4 hrs for the service. I take my time with each step and act meticulously so that your final product is not rushed.
Does it hurt?
I do not use numbing during the lip blushing session. It is minimally effective, and affects the end result.
With that being said, discomfort is to be expected at certain times during the session. However, a few hours of discomfort is worth years of lips with color!
May I bring a friend?
Yes, but please keep in mind the length of the service. If you would like a friend’s opinion I recommend coming in separate cars so they don’t have to stay for the full duration. Or let me know if you would like to FaceTime someone before we begin the tattoo procedure.
Children under the age of 18 are not permitted in a tattoo studio, so please schedule your appointments accordingly.
I have had previous tattooing, can you go over mine?
It depends how much pigment is left in your skin. I will only tattoo over work that is faded 80% or more. Send me a clear, well lit picture of your full face through email and we can discuss whether or not it is too soon for you to get a cover up. After I evaluate the photo, I may request you to come in before booking a tattoo appointment. This way I can see your skin in person and come to a definite conclusion.
If you have gotten them done within the last year I cannot tattoo over them. I wouldn’t want to add to any trauma that your skin is still healing from.
How much is the service?
Initial Appointment:
$700
When you book, a 50% deposit will be required to secure your appointment.
6-8 Week Touchup:
$150 per touchup
For many clients, one touchup session is necessary to reach the desired result. In some hyperpigmentation cases, more than one session is needed. The first session may be to neutralize the lips, and the remaining to deposit the target color.
Yearly Touchup:
$450
Your yearly touchup will help boost the color of your lips after a year of slow fading. Some can go longer without their lips needing a touch-up, but no one should go less than a year. Although semi-permanent makeup procedures are not damaging, they can cause the skin mild trauma. Going a full year helps give your skin enough time to rejuvenate itself. When you book, the full price of the service will be required as a deposit to secure your appointment.
What are your Covid-19 and health precautions?
I take the health and safety of my clients and myself seriously. I will be taking every precaution within my power to limit the spread of Covid-19. Any of the tools I use that are not disposable are sanitized before each use. Below are my precautions, and the guidelines I ask all my clients to follow.
If you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, please cancel and reschedule your appointment. If you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 please let me know immediately.
If you arrive at your appointment and begin to feel ill we will cancel the appointment and reschedule. There will not be any penalties if this happens.
Vaccines:
After a vaccination, your body is building immunity. It is best to wait until after your body has accepted the vaccine to have a semi-permanent makeup procedure performed.
If you have gotten a vaccine within the last 14 days of your appointment, I will not perform a semi-permanent makeup procedure.
Please wait 14 days after your appointment to receive any vaccine.
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment please give at least 72hrs of notice. If you fail to inform me in that time frame you are forfeiting your deposit.
You may cancel your appointment once and reschedule, however if you cancel twice you forfeit your deposit.
Deposits are non-refundable.
My service is non-refundable.
If you are running late, please reach out to me. If it is more than 15 minutes I may need to cancel your appointment, and will consider this a “no show.”