How long does it take

The appointment is scheduled for 1 1/2 – 2 hours. Applying lip color is the most laborious of all permanent makeup procedures. Lips are muscles, different than skin.

• When you arrive to your appointment Tonya will immediately get your numbing cream on (this is a Lignocaine & Tetracaine based product.)  During the numbing process (approximately 20 minutes)

• Tonya will take a before pictures and will now be ready to chat about your desired look and color.  Your lips may be a little tender to start with, but once the process is underway, Tonya will continue using the numbing.

• Once finished with the tattooing, you’ll discuss aftercare, and take some after photos to compare.

Perfecting session

Tonya will see you in 4-6 weeks for your perfecting session.  The time between appointments gives the skin time to heal and lets the color settle.  The second appointment will not take as long.  Tonya will see how your skin has held the pigment and can make any adjustments to color or shape as needed. But really this appointment is exactly as described- it’s all about the perfecting of your new lips.

Healing

Healing usually takes about a week. However, please allow a few days if you have an event or special occasion coming up. Tonya tells clients not to micro-analyze their lips until 30 days as that is when you will know your completely-healed pigment.  Your new permanent lips will go through several phases during the healing cycle.  The pigment will appear very bright and bold immediately after the procedure. This is because the pigment is still sitting on top of your skin, and has not yet settled in completely. The pigment for lips has to be brighter and bolder so that it will heal to a seen color. The color of the pigment will soften gradually, and you may see some pigment on your towel after washing your face, or on your pillowcase – do not be alarmed.  

Once the healing of the skin starts taking place, the lips may become chapped and peel. This might give you the impression that the color pigment is fading too quickly; however, this is just superficial color and dry skin being naturally removed from your lips. After a couple of days, this will subside. Don’t pick or scratch. Once completely healed, you are strongly encouraged to apply a layer of sunscreen SPF 30 up to SPF 50 on your lips when exposed to the sun, as sun exposure might cause the color pigment to fade away more quickly.

Does it hurt

Of all permanent makeup procedures, lip coloring is the most sensitive. Tonya uses prescription numbing. It is more uncomfortable than painful. Please take a few Tylenol 30 minutes before procedure.

Choosing a color

Tonya strongly recommends “natural” lip colors. You can always enhance or change the color of your lips at anytime with conventional makeup for special occasions.  On days when you don’t feel you want an actual lipstick look your “natural” permanent lip color will be your best choice.  This is Tonya’s opinion, however clients personal preferences will be honored.

How will I look

Your lips will look slightly larger than normal and look as though you may have had a slight lip filler injection. The “natural” lip color, however, will look quite dark, like lipstick. You need to know that the size of your lips will shrink back to about normal and the color will significantly fade up to 50% within the first 3 days. You will lose color on the inside of your lips first, the edges last. Just remember…all procedures must HEAL, PEEL and FADE! This process may take up to 10 days.

Lip filler and blushing

Lip fillers are great pairing with lip blush since it can help perfect the overall shape and fullness. If you plan on getting lip fillers before or after, please wait 8 weeks or longer. We would prefer if you did the lip filler fist before the blushing.

Can we go outside my lip line

Unfortunately, Lip Blushing should only be done in the natural line of the lips. The skin contains pores and hair, and is a completely different texture, which would end in uneven healing of the pigment. Not cute. There are however, special circumstances where corrective work can be done!

Tattooing the vermillion border (the place where your lips meet your skin) will alone enhance the size of your lips and will also look very natural.

How do I prepare for the lip procedure

You MUST understand that if you have EVER had chicken pox, a fever blister, or a cold sore, you MUST take Zovirax, Famvir or Valtrex or other anti-viral pre and post procedure to help prevent the outbreak of cold sores. There are NO exceptions to this rule! If you do have an outbreak, it will usually occur on the third (3rd) day following lip color application. This rule holds true for each and every time you have any amount of permanent lip color applied.

You will need to call your physician in order to obtain your prescription strength anti-viral medication. You must inform them of your decision to have your lips permanently colored and they will need to call your prescription in for you to pick up at your pharmacy.