LIP TATTOO
Complete Healing Guide
Your lips will go through several changes while healing — from swelling and dryness to peeling and changes in colour.
Everyone heals a little differently. The timeline below is a general guide to what you may experience while your lips heal.
Follow your aftercare carefully and allow the colour time to settle before judging your final result.
YOUR AFTERCARE
DAY OF TREATMENT
KEEP LIPS CLEAN + MOISTURISED
Gently clean your lips with water, pat dry and apply a thin layer of your supplied aftercare ointment.
Reapply ointment as needed throughout the day to prevent your lips from becoming dry.
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DURING HEALING
CLEAN → PAT DRY → OINTMENT
Continue applying your supplied ointment several times throughout the day.
After eating, gently clean your lips with water, pat dry and reapply a thin layer of ointment.
Continue for 14 days or until your ointment runs out.
Do not use other lip products during the healing period.
WHAT TO EXPECT
DAYS 1–2
Fresh + Swollen
Your lips may feel swollen, tender, tight and dry after your treatment.
The colour will also appear much brighter and more intense than your final healed result.
This is expected — don't judge your colour yet.
DAYS 2–5
Peeling + Changing
Your lips will usually begin to peel during this stage.
They may feel dry or flaky and the colour can appear uneven as different areas heal.
Do not pick, pull or peel the skin. Allow it to come away naturally and continue using your supplied ointment.
AFTER PEELING
Light + Settling
Once the peeling has finished, the colour may appear much lighter or softer than expected.
Give it time.
The pigment will continue to settle as your lips complete the healing process.
WEEKS 4–6
Settled + Healed
Your lip colour will gradually settle into a softer, more natural-looking result.
Once completely healed, your result can be properly assessed and any areas requiring refinement can be addressed at your follow-up appointment.
WHILE YOUR LIPS ARE HEALING
To support your healing and protect your results, avoid:
Hot foods and drinks directly against the lips
Spicy, salty and acidic foods touching the lips
Other lip products
Picking, scratching or peeling
Excessively stretching the lips
Kissing and oral contact
EATING + DRINKING
Be gentle with your lips while eating.
Cut food into smaller pieces where possible to avoid stretching your lips excessively.
Use a straw for drinks during the initial healing period where practical.
If food comes into contact with your lips, gently clean them with water afterwards, pat dry and reapply your ointment.
BRUSHING YOUR TEETH + SHOWERING
Apply a thin layer of your supplied ointment before brushing your teeth or showering to help protect the healing area.
Afterwards, gently clean the lips if necessary, pat dry and reapply your ointment.
COLD SORES
Lip tattooing can be associated with a cold sore outbreak in susceptible people.
If you notice a cold sore developing during healing, contact your pharmacist or doctor promptly for advice regarding antiviral treatment.
If you have any concerns about whether what you're experiencing is part of normal healing, please contact Skin & Ink Studios.
LONG-TERM LIP CARE
Once your lips are completely healed, keeping them hydrated and protected from excessive sun exposure can help maintain your result.
Your lip tattoo will naturally soften and fade over time.
How quickly this happens varies from person to person and may be influenced by factors including your skin, lifestyle and sun exposure.
WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT SKIN & INK?
Some swelling, tenderness, dryness, peeling and changes in colour can be expected during healing.
Please contact Skin & Ink Studios if you're concerned about how your lips are healing or experience symptoms that seem unusual or are worsening.
If you're unsure — we'd always rather you ask.
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SKIN & INK STUDIOS
Beautiful results take a little time.