Lips. Preparation & aftercare guide.
Proper aftercare and preparation are essential for achieving the best results from your lip tattoo procedure, whether you're receiving a soft lip blush tattoo, subtle lip contouring, or a dark lip neutralization treatment. Each of these cosmetic lip tattoo techniques requires healthy, well-prepared skin to ensure the pigment heals evenly and delivers beautiful, long-lasting colour.
Following the recommended lip tattoo aftercare instructions and preparing your lips ahead of the session will help minimise swelling, dryness, and uneven healing — which is especially important for clients with melanin-rich lips or those undergoing lip neutralisation. The area must be strong, hydrated, and free from irritation to achieve the best possible outcome from your permanent makeup lip procedure.
You will always achieve better results when your skin is properly prepared for a PMU treatment. The area must be healthy, strong, non-sensitive, and non-irritated.
Avoid using anticoagulants and anti-inflammatory medications before your appointment. These include blood thinners like aspirin and ibuprofen, which can increase bleeding during the treatment. Excess bleeding may cause the pigment to be pushed out of the skin, reduce colour retention, make the procedure less comfortable, and increase the risk of overworking the area.
- Do not drink alcohol 12 hours before your tattoo
- Do not consume coffee/tea/herbal tea before your procedure
- Do not take any aspirin or ibuprofen for pain relief (this thins the blood)
Here’s how to get your skin ready for your procedure:
- Do not have Filler/Botox 2 weeks prior (can symmetry)
- If you have a history of cold sores, the trauma caused by micropigmentation can trigger an outbreak. To help minimize this risk, I recommend getting a prescription for Aciclovir tablets and cream from your GP.
24 – 12 hours before
Exfoliate the area thoroughly the day before your treatment. This ensures dead skin cells have been removed so the pigment is only implanted into new skin layers making it more even and longer lasting.
On the day:
- Try to get a good night sleep before your treatment this will help you relax and make the treatment more comfortable.
- Have a good breakfast on the day of your treatment, this increases your stamina as treatments like Permanent Makeup burn a lot of calories.
- Drink lots of water – this allows the skin to accept the ink more easily, without thinning the blood.
- Paracetamol reduces pain and helps reduce inflammation so if you’re worried take two before or after your treatment.
Numbing Products
I use Pre-numb creams and numbing products throughout your treatment to ease any discomfort, this only lasts around 20-40 minutes. Soon after your treatment, the area may feel sensitive or puffy. I recommend applying a dry ice pack to reduce any swelling and soothe the area. Paracetamol will ease any discomfort but avoid Ibuprofen for around 6 hours as this could cause the area to swell.
Other things to consider:
Pigment stains – I recommend wearing dark tops where possible.
I don’t have much space in my treatment room so please limit to 1 friend or family member joining you where possible.
The clinic is a medical-grade space, and the treatment room is cleaned thoroughly before and after every procedure. I consider it a sterile environment, so I do not allow pets (except for service dogs).
After Your Procedure
The day of the treatment:
Gently blot the area with a clean tissue every hour for the first 4 hours, or until oozing stops, to absorb excess lymph fluid. This helps minimize scabbing by preventing the lymph from hardening.
Keep your balm handy to apply if your lips become dry or itchy whilst healing. It will also help retain the pigment and make the treatment last longer.
Additional Tips To Aid Fast Healing:
- Take Zinc supplements to aid healing or eat foods high in zinc such as red meat and Chicken.
- Use a fresh pillowcase.
- Let any scabbing or dry skin naturally exfoliate away. Picking can cause scarring or loss of pigment and patchy healed results.
- No facials, Botox, chemical treatments or microdermabrasion for 3 weeks after treatment.
- Avoid hot, sweaty exercise for two weeks.
- Avoid direct sun exposure or tanning for 3 weeks after the procedure.
- Avoid heavy sweating and long hot showers for the first 5 days.
- Avoid swimming and chlorinated hot tubs for the first three weeks.
- Avoid topical makeup including sunscreen on the area for the first two weeks.
What to expect:
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A day or 2 following the treatment the area will look a lot darker than anticipated, this is the initial healing stage and should only last 1-3 days, once the skin begins to heal the colour will fade sometimes it may even disappear, don’t panic as often by week 4 the pigment reappears. But remember everyone heals differently! The second part of your procedure should be booked between 4-8 weeks after your first.
REMEMBER: You are unable to donate blood for up to 12 months following Micropigmentation Procedure