AFTERCARE
Proper aftercare is crucial to ensure the best healing and long-lasting results from your lip blush tattooing. Follow these steps carefully to maintain your colour and achieve the desired outcome.
Day of the Procedure
1. Blot Excess Fluid:
• Gently blot your lips with a clean tissue every 30 minutes for the first few hours to absorb lymph fluid. This helps prevent excessive scabbing.
2. Apply Ice (Optional):
• To reduce swelling, you may apply a clean, wrapped ice pack to your lips for 10–15 minutes at a time. Do not place ice directly on the skin.
Days 1–7
1. Keep Lips Clean:
• Use a damp cotton pad with cool, sterile water to gently dab your lips if needed. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the area.
2. Moisturise Regularly:
• Apply the provided aftercare balm (or a recommended ointment like Bepanthen or a fragrance-free, petroleum-based product) 2–3 times a day or whenever lips feel dry. Use a clean cotton bud for application to avoid contamination.
3. Avoid Picking or Touching:
• Do not pick, peel, or scratch any scabs or flakes. Allow the healing process to occur naturally to avoid uneven colour or scarring.
Things to Avoid During Healing (Days 1–10):
1. Excess Moisture:
• Avoid long showers, swimming, saunas, or heavy sweating, as these can cause premature fading.
2. Makeup and Products:
• Do not apply lipstick, lip gloss, or other products on your lips during the healing period.
3. Spicy and Acidic Foods:
• Avoid foods that may irritate your lips, such as spicy, salty, or acidic items. Use a straw for drinks to minimise contact with the lips.
4. Sun Exposure:
• Avoid direct sunlight, tanning beds, or UV exposure. Once healed, use a lip balm with SPF to protect the colour.
5. Smoking:
• Refrain from smoking as it can delay the healing process and affect the pigment retention.
Healing Process Expectations
• Days 1–2: Your lips will appear darker and may feel swollen. This is normal and part of the healing process.
• Days 3–5: Flaking or peeling may begin as the outer layer of pigment sheds. The colour may appear lighter or uneven at this stage—this is temporary.
• Days 6–10: Flaking will subside, and the colour will begin to stabilise. The final result will appear softer and more natural over the coming weeks.
• Weeks 4–6: The true colour will emerge after the skin has fully healed. A touch-up appointment may be necessary to perfect the results.
Long-Term Care
1. Touch-Up Appointment:
• Schedule your touch-up session (typically 6–8 weeks after the initial procedure) to refine the colour and shape.
2. Hydration and Sun Protection:
• Keep your lips hydrated with a good-quality balm and protect them with SPF to maintain the colour.
3. Avoid Harsh Products:
• Refrain from using exfoliating products or treatments on your lips.
When to Seek Help
Contact your artist or a healthcare professional immediately if you notice:
• Persistent swelling, redness, or pain after the first 48 hours
• Signs of infection (pus or unusual discharge)
• Allergic reactions, such as excessive itching or rashes
By following these steps, your lips will heal beautifully, and you’ll enjoy long-lasting, vibrant results.
LIP BLUSH TATTOO
COLDSORE OUTBREAK
What to Do If You Get a Cold Sore After Lip Tattooing
It is common for lip tattooing to trigger a cold sore outbreak in clients who are prone to them. This is because the tattooing process stimulates the area, potentially activating the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), even if the client has not had a recent outbreak. Here’s what to do if you develop a cold sore:
Before Your Appointment
• Preventative Medication: If you have a history of cold sores, it is recommended to take an antiviral medication such as Valacyclovir or Acyclovir as prescribed by your doctor.
• Start the medication 1–2 days before your appointment and continue for a few days after to reduce the likelihood of an outbreak.
If a Cold Sore Occurs
1. Do Not Panic:
• A cold sore will not ruin your results, but it may affect the healing process temporarily. The pigment may heal unevenly in the affected area, which can be corrected during your touch-up session.
2. Treat the Outbreak:
• Begin taking antiviral medication immediately if you notice any signs of a cold sore (tingling, redness, or blisters).
• Use a topical antiviral cream, such as Zovirax, as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
3. Keep the Area Clean:
• Avoid touching or picking at the cold sore. Gently clean your lips as part of your aftercare routine without disrupting the sore.
• Continue applying your aftercare balm to unaffected areas, but avoid applying it directly to the cold sore to prevent spreading the virus.
4. Avoid Triggers:
• Avoid spicy, acidic, or salty foods that may irritate the cold sore and lip area.
• Refrain from activities that could stress your immune system, such as overexertion or prolonged sun exposure.
Impact on Healing
• The area affected by the cold sore may heal more slowly, and pigment retention might be slightly affected.
• A touch-up appointment, typically scheduled 6–8 weeks after the initial procedure, will address any areas where the pigment healed unevenly.
Prevention for Future Sessions
• If you experienced a cold sore after your first session, let your artist know before your touch-up. Your doctor can provide an antiviral prescription to help prevent another outbreak.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Contact a doctor if:
• The cold sore spreads beyond the lip area.
• You experience severe pain, excessive swelling, or signs of infection (such as pus or fever).
• The outbreak does not begin to improve after a few days.
Note: While cold sores can be inconvenient, they are manageable and do not prevent you from achieving beautiful, long-lasting lip blush results with proper care.