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Enhancing your lips with some type of makeup is something many people never leave the house without. Whether it’s full-on lipstick or a sheer lip gloss that gives a your-lips-but-better look, enhanced lips look great – until they don’t. Regular lip makeup is notorious for being very short-lasting, no matter what the ads promise. That’s why so many people are getting lip blush. A form of cosmetic tattooing, permanent lip color will give you a long-lasting lip enhancement that doesn’t come off.
Cosmetic lip tattooing is a procedure that entails the insertion of pigments beneath the surface layer of the skin on your lips. This versatile treatment offers various styles, including the application of opaque permanent lipstick, shape-perfecting permanent lip liner, or achieving a sheer pop of color through techniques like lip blushing or aquarelle lips.
In addition to its cosmetic applications, lip tattooing can lighten dark lips, provide a warmer color, and even camouflage scars. It’s important to note that modern permanent makeup (PMU) pigments are used instead of traditional tattoo ink, resulting in a gradual fading of the permanent lip color over time. Periodic touch-ups are recommended to maintain a fresh and vibrant appearance.
Cosmetic lip tattooing is an ideal option for individuals who enjoy wearing lipstick but find the repeated application throughout the day inconvenient. Additionally, those seeking to add volume to their lips, although not as dramatically as lip fillers, can benefit from this procedure. A specialized technique known as dark lip neutralization is specifically designed to warm up the color of melanin-rich lips and create a more even tone.
Moreover, permanent lipstick serves as an excellent solution for individuals with uneven lips, effectively concealing shape imperfections and contributing to a more symmetrical appearance.
Undergoing PMU lips may not be advisable if you:
Are under 18
Are pregnant or nursing
Are undergoing chemotherapy
Have hemophilia
Have major heart problems or a pacemaker
Have had an organ transplant
Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
Have diabetes (consult your doctor, it may be possible)
Have psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, or another skin condition in the area
Have an autoimmune disease (consult your doctor, it may be possible)
Have anemia (pigment may not be retained properly)
Have a history of keloid scarring or hypertrophic scarring
Have a history of cold sores
Take blood-thinning medication
Take Accutane or steroids
It’s crucial to consult with a medical professional to assess individual suitability and address any potential health concerns before undergoing the procedure.
Yes, PMU lips can be combined with lip fillers. However, it’s generally recommended to get the lip tattoo first, as it tends to last longer than fillers. If you have already had lip fillers, it’s advisable to wait at least 2-6 weeks before scheduling a PMU lips appointment to allow the fillers to settle.
It’s important to be aware that there is a small risk of fillers migrating due to the trauma associated with tattooing, so it’s crucial to discuss these considerations with your practitioner before deciding to combine these treatments.
The PMU lips treatment involves micro pigmentation or cosmetic tattooing, where an electric needle device is used to insert pigment into the skin of your lips. The process includes the following steps:
Step 1: Consultations Before the treatment, you have a consultation with the artist to discuss the desired look and assess your lips. You may need to disclose any conditions you have, and a patch test is often done to check for potential allergies.
Step 2: Choosing the shape and color Select the color and shape you want for your lips. While you can choose your usual lipstick shade, it’s important to consider that this color will last for months to years.
Step 3: Numbing The artist applies a topical anesthetic to numb the lip area. While the process may not be comfortable, it’s generally not painful.
Step 4: Pigmentation Once the numbing takes effect, the tattooing process begins. Using an electric PMU machine, the artist pierces the skin with tiny dots, depositing pigments gradually. Multiple passes may be made to build up the color.
Step 5: Touch-up and additional sessions The lip tattoo is a two-step process, and multiple sessions are often required to achieve the desired color opacity. After the initial healing period (usually 4-6 weeks), a follow-up appointment is scheduled for adjustments and additional color if needed. The number of sessions varies among individuals.
Keep in mind that everyone’s system responds differently, so the number of sessions required may vary.
The permanent lip color can be customized in any shade of red, pink, or orange. However, since the results last up to 5 years, clients often opt for subtle, flesh-toned shades that are versatile for various occasions and match different makeup looks.
Choosing the right color is crucial, and your artist can provide valuable recommendations based on their expertise in PMU color theory. They consider your skin tone and undertone to help you select a pigment that complements your overall appearance. Taking their suggestions seriously ensures that you’ll be satisfied with the color for the long duration of the treatment.
After the lip tattoo treatment, your lips will go through various stages of healing, including swelling (which can be alleviated with an ice pack) and peeling. The initial color will fade by approximately 50%, with the severity of symptoms depending on the pigment saturation in the lips.
Following a proper aftercare routine, typically lasting about 10 days, is crucial. There are two general types of aftercare: dry and wet healing, with the latter being more common due to the use of a healing ointment that helps prevent heavy scabbing.
Regardless of the aftercare type, it’s essential to avoid the following for the first 10 days:
Extreme exercise, swimming, saunas, and steam baths (anything causing excessive sweating or getting the treated area soaking wet)
Tanning in the sun or sunbeds
Applying makeup to the treated area
Touching the treated area
Consuming spicy food
You should refrain from wearing lip makeup until the scabbing or peeling stage is complete, as doing so can pose a risk of infection. After the scabs have naturally fallen off, you can resume wearing lip makeup as usual. However, there won’t be a need to enhance the color anymore, as the permanent lip color has been established through the tattooing process.
Using fresh products is advisable to prevent any potential contamination, as the treated lips may be more susceptible to bacteria. Therefore, consider getting new lip products rather than using ones that may have been previously exposed to bacteria.
During this period, you should religiously follow the tips your artist gave you, in order to avoid any discomfort during healing and get maximum pigment retention.
In general, permanent lip color is typically applied in two sessions to achieve satisfactory pigment build-up. The first touch-up is considered mandatory to perfect the results, but if you opt for a light, transparent touch of color, it may not be necessary.
To maintain the longevity and freshness of the lip color tattoo, regular touch-ups are recommended. The frequency of touch-ups depends on individual factors such as skin type and lifestyle. Annual touch-ups are generally advised to keep the color looking its best. Additionally, the touch-up appointment provides an opportunity to change the shade of the permanent lip color.
People with oily skin may benefit from more frequent touch-ups, approximately every six months. Individuals with skin frequently exposed to the sun and saltwater may also require more frequent touch-ups, as the color of these skin types tends to fade faster.
The longevity of lip tattoos is influenced by various factors, including:
Skin Type: Oily skin tends to require more frequent touch-ups as excess sebum can push out the pigment, affecting the longevity of the lip tattoo.
Lifestyle: Engaging in activities that involve sweating, swimming, or smoking may contribute to the faster fading of tattooed lips.
Sunlight Exposure: Exposure to sunlight can accelerate the fading of PMU pigments. Using sun protection on the treated area is recommended.
Skincare Products: Certain skincare ingredients, such as retinol and acids, can contribute to faster fading of PMU pigments. Avoiding these ingredients in the treated area can help preserve the color.
Touch-Ups: Regular touch-ups can contribute to maintaining the longevity of the permanent lip color. The frequency of touch-ups depends on individual preferences and lifestyle.
By considering and managing these factors, individuals can optimize the duration of their lip tattoos and keep the color looking vibrant for an extended period.
Permanent lip liner is a cosmetic tattooing procedure that involves creating a defined outline around the lips. This outline is typically done in a color that is slightly darker than the individual’s natural lip color or in a shade that matches their preferred lipstick color. The goal is to enhance the natural lip line, provide definition, and create a more symmetrical appearance.
The permanent lip liner procedure is a form of micropigmentation, where pigments are deposited into the skin using a specialized tattoo machine. This can help individuals achieve a desired lip shape without the need for daily application of lip liner.
It’s important to note that, like other forms of permanent makeup, the pigments used in permanent lip liner will gradually fade over time. Periodic touch-ups may be required to maintain the desired color and shape.
The shaded version of permanent lip liner adds a blended shade from the outline to about ⅔ of the lips. It gives a subtle volumizing effect.
Lip blush is a popular lip tattoo style that provides a diffused and transparent dose of color to the lips, resembling a sheer lip stain. This technique is known for creating a subtle yet distinct contour on the lips. Lip blush can be applied in various shades, allowing individuals to achieve a natural and enhanced appearance.
One notable variation of lip blush involves creating an ombre gradient effect on the lips. This technique adds dimension and can contribute to a volumizing effect, making the lips appear fuller. Overall, lip blush is a versatile and sought-after option for those looking to enhance the color and definition of their lips with a more natural-looking result.
Similar to a lip blush in the sense that it gives a sheer pop of color, but it’s more subtle since there’s no contour. Your lips maintain their natural outline.
The most opaque and dramatic style of lip tattoo. It recreates the look of wearing matte lipstick. It usually takes more than 2 sessions to achieve and requires more frequent touch-ups to stay fresh.
Designed to give melanin-rich lips a warmer shade that cancels out the purple, this style does not give the lip makeup effect per se, but rather makes the lips look like they’re naturally rosy. Once the purple shade has been neutralized with warm pigment, the desired shade can be added on top.
