A Lip Tattoo Healing Timeline
You can put your mind at ease with a proper lip tattoo healing timeline Australia guide; it will prevent any panic should your lips turn out drier, darker or more patchy than you thought. For the majority of lip blush treatments 10 to 14 days is all it takes for the surface to show it has healed, the final colour taking 6 to 8 weeks to come in.
My name is Lucy McIntyre. In my time working in skin clinics and consultation rooms, not to mention putting together online aftercare material, I have fielded my share of beauty-treatment queries. The question “Is this normal?” is one I hear on a regular basis. Typically it is, but not always. What follows is an explanation in no uncertain terms of where the line is drawn, in plain Australian English and without the pretence that your lips are going to be as orderly as a spreadsheet.
What To Expect
The healing of a lip blush is a matter of predictable stages. At first the lips will seem bold before they undergo a marked fade, only for the colour to make a gradual comeback once the pigment has taken hold under the surface.
How well you heal is down to your immune system, your skin, the technique and pigment used, how you look after the work and if your lips get irritated. Any competent cosmetic tattoo artist will have gone over what to expect with you prior to the procedure and put their aftercare instructions for a cosmetic lip tattoo in writing. For more information, see our tattoo questions answered guide.
Healing Timeline At A Glance
| Stage | Typical timing | What to notice | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial response | Days 1–2 | Tenderness, swelling and a bright colour | An approved healing balm and gentle cleansing |
| Drying stage | Days 3–5 | Some flaking, dryness or light scabbing | Resist the urge to pick or scrub |
| Ghosting phase | Days 6–10 | Colour is uneven or patchy | Be patient, stick to your aftercare |
| Settling stage | Weeks 2–4 | More balanced colour starts to show | Keep the area free of irritation |
| Final result | Weeks 6–8 | Easier to tell what the final colour is | Put in for a lip tattoo touch up should you want to |
One should view these as estimates and nothing more. Your artist might be of the opinion you should give it more time to judge the result if healing is protracted. Then there is the matter of timing: 10 to 14 days for the surface work to be done and 6 to 8 weeks for the pigment to settle.
Days 1–2: Bright Colour
In the opening 48 hours a lip blush will have far more impact than it does when fully healed. It is not uncommon to have some swelling and tenderness, leaving your lips feeling tight or warm. Do not be fooled by the immediate colour, the fresh pigment is right up against the surface and the swelling may well give the impression of a larger or more intense lip. I know why clients want to check the mirror every ten minutes at this point, but it is not going to tell you anything you do not already know.
Managing Early Discomfort
Your cosmetic tattoo artist will have given you instructions, so adhere to them. With clean hands put on the balm or product of their choosing. There is no need to be rubbing or pressing at the tattoo. As for the swelling, it should subside, not worsen. Have some rest and water and eat things that do not require much chewing. Those with cold sores should speak to their artist and health professional ahead of time; trauma to the lips can bring them on and a qualified health professional may put you on antivirals.
Days 3–5: Dryness And Peeling
By day three you can anticipate the outer layer to start shedding, bringing with it some roughness and itchiness. This is where people are caught off guard. The peeling leaves the lips looking unbalanced, one side will flake before the other and you may see lighter spots. Not to say the pigment has let you down.
Let The Surface Shed
Leave loose skin alone. Picking at it risks infection and can take the pigment with it while the skin is still mending. Nor is scabbing something to be pried off like a sticker on a new lunchbox.
Stick to the plan your artist has provided. Unless cleared to do so, put away the exfoliants, acids and anything with fragrance. Should your lips get too dry, enquire as to which healing balm would be best instead of slathering on a number of products.
Days 6–10: The Ghosting Phase
There is no need for the worry that the ghosting phase of the lip blush healing process engenders. With the surface having shed and the deeper pigment yet to reassert itself, the colour can be faint or in places non-existent. A case of ghosting is not to be taken as the treatment vanishing. More often it is a transient phase of the lips’ surface healing and pigment settling. For some days they will have a flat, pancake like appearance before definition and warmth come back on their own.
On the subject of patchy colour, this happens when the lips do not heal uniformly. There can be a disparity between one part and another where there was more trauma or dryness, or friction has been at work.
It is easy to make the mistake of passing judgement on the result prematurely. Or of putting down a lipstick or some strong skincare in an attempt to fix the colour at home. The better course is to let the surface heal and put in for a review with your artist.
Colour Returns (Weeks 2-4)
The colour will tend to reassert itself in a softer, more natural way by week 2 or 4, so that what was a fresh cosmetic tattoo now has the look of a proper lip blush. One day it might be stronger, say after some exercise or anything that brings on a bit of warmth and circulation, the next it is more muted. Do not be concerned, as long as the pigment is still in the process of settling.
What is commonly misunderstood
There is an expectation among some of a dramatic unveiling once the peeling is done but healing is not so straightforward. You may see an improvement in the lips one week and a certain dullness the following until things stabilise.
Then there is the matter of sun exposure and its effect on cosmetic pigment. When the surface is sound, apply a lip sun protection of the type your artist would recommend. Unless instructed otherwise, keep products off any skin that is broken or peeling.
Final Colour (Weeks 6-8)
By this time your artist is in a position to form a fairer opinion of the final colour and you can talk about the utility of a touch up. A touch-up is no indication the first session was a failure; lip tissue is variable from person to person and some will take to the pigment in a different way. It is merely a way to even out sections that have healed light or require a little balancing.
To plan your review
Follow the interval set by your artist. An in-person review is preferable to remote guidance by way of photographs, though if offered you should take them in good natural light. Make sure to book well in advance of any wedding or interstate travel or work function of note so that any residual swelling and colour changes have time to subside. Going in too early invites decisions that are not called for while the lips are still mending under the surface. According to official guidelines, tattoos typically heal within 2 to 3 weeks, aligning with lip tattoo healing timelines.
Aftercare
Proper aftercare of a cosmetic lip tattoo will save you from unnecessary irritation and make the healing period less of an ordeal. It will not govern every contingency but it can nip small issues in the bud. Your artist’s written word is to be heeded over all as techniques and products vary; should there be a conflict with counsel from a health professional, seek clarification.
Checklist for aftercare
- Hands must be washed prior to any contact with the area, stick to the balm that has been recommended.
- If hot drinks or acidic or spicy food cause stinging, forgo them.
- No picking at scabs or scrubbing the treated skin.
- Hold off on the swimming, sauna or steam until your artist says the surface is healed.
- Be gentle with the toothbrush and do not let toothpaste linger on the tattoo.
- In the early stages of healing, sharing of utensils, straws, towels or lip products is not to be done.
Brushing teeth is generally fine post-tattoo but do so with care and keep the toothpaste and any hard rinsing at a distance from the area. Your artist may have further instructions for the opening few days.
Logistics in Australia
Some forethought in booking the appointment spares you trouble during the healing time. That is true whether you are in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth, or in a regional centre where a drive to a qualified artist is in order.
Make allowance to get there without being in a hurry and put away your lip products as you are told. Arrange a way back that is comfortable. Should you find yourself light-headed, leave the driving to someone else or use a taxi or public transport until you are steady.
Practical Booking Details
One should enquire as to the duration of an appointment, deposits, parking and building access, public transport options and if any medical information or identification is required. In a Sydney clinic with much traffic it can be that parking is in short supply and one has to put in a short walk from the street; best to have that sorted out before you are there with newly done lips and no patience for such things.
Then there is the matter of cost which will be dictated by the artist’s experience and technique, his location, the consultation and if a review is part of the fee. Get the full price in AUD from them prior to making a booking, touch-up fees included. And be wary of a bargain offer that is light on details when it comes to aftercare, training or hygiene.
Should you have errands to run, make the appointment the last thing on the list instead of something to fit in between the gym and dinner. With tender lips you do not want the aggravation of hot drinks, steam, spicy food or a crowded room on your first evening.
Risks And Warning Signs
Ordinarily you will see some peeling, dryness, redness, swelling and tenderness in the course of healing. The pattern of this will improve, though how one recovers is individual. Any doubt as to whether a change is to be expected and you should put in a call to your cosmetic tattoo artist. For anything severe or of concern, a health professional is to be contacted without delay. Healthdirect has guidance on cosmetic procedures for those wanting more information.
When To Seek Medical Advice
Medical attention is called for in the event of fever, pus, marked swelling, heat or pain on the increase, difficulty breathing or an allergic reaction. Those with a history of cold sores may find them manifesting as tingling or burning blisters in clusters.
Photos are of use to an artist in seeing what is going on but they are no substitute for a proper assessment if symptoms are of a serious nature, nor should one look to social media to diagnose an infection or outbreak of cold sores.
Frequently Asked Healing Questions
I get asked these most often by way of lip blush or over a result in the healing stage. The answers below are straightforward enough but personal medical decisions ought to be made with the input of your artist and health professional.
How Long Do Tattooed Lips Take?
The surface of a lip tattoo is mostly healed in 10 to 14 days but expect some further changes for a few weeks. Put off any decision on a touch-up or passing judgement on the colour for 6 to 8 weeks.
What Are The Main Downsides?
You may encounter uneven healing, a reactivation of cold sores, an allergic response, or simply the fact that cosmetic pigment is not as permanent as a traditional tattoo and will fade. There is also the prospect of temporary peeling and dryness, or having to go back for a touch-up.
What Happens After Five Years?
Depending on maintenance, skin biology and the sun, the tone of the tattoo may have altered or softened after 5 years, or faded altogether. Some opt for a refresh well before then. A good artist will not put a five-year guarantee on the appearance.
Can I Brush My Teeth?
For the most part you can, just be gentle and take care in rinsing to leave no toothpaste on the lips while they heal. In the first few days at least, adhere to what the artist has told you.
How Long Does Lip Blush Last?
There is no set time frame. Fading is a gradual process and eventually a refresh will be wanted, but it is down to a number of variables: the pigment and technique used, one’s health, smoking, exposure to the sun and skincare.
Make The Healing Period Easier
Knowing what lies ahead makes the timeline of a lip blush easy to deal with. First the colour is bright, then there is peeling and a bit of ghosting, before a slow return to the final shade over 6 to 8 weeks.
My advice would be to have a couple of quiet days to start with and not be tempted to pick at it or read too much into the ghosting phase. As for questions about costs, antivirals, cold sores, products or the review process, have them answered by the artist in advance of the appointment.