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When it comes to semi-permanent make-up, one would often look at brow or eyeliner embroidery. Did you know that lip embroidery frequently gets overlooked? Many people believe that lip embroidery would lead to swollen and super red lips, which can significantly affect their outlook and not being able to go out for a few weeks. However, with growing Korean trends and much-improved techniques in recent years, lip embroidery has quickly gained popularity as one of the most sought-after beauty treatments.
If you have ever wished for fuller, more defined, and naturally coloured lips without the daily hassle of lipstick or lip liner, lip embroidery might be the perfect solution for you. More importantly, you will experience some side effects in the days following the lip blush embroidery session. But with our professional artists' support and this handy article's guidance, we will look into the lip blushing healing process in detail to help you understand what to expect to achieve your desired lip blush colour.
What to Expect After the Lip Blushing Process
Right after your lip blushing is complete (we will call this Day 0), you do not need to worry too much about downtime and can get back to your daily routine not long after the session. The healing process will begin immediately after the session ends, so your artist will provide information on what to expect from your healing and what not to do until your lips fully heal in two weeks.
The first thing you may notice is that your lips may start swelling midway through your session, but it does depend on how sensitive your lips are and if you followed pre-care instructions beforehand. Rest assured, this is normal and will gradually subside within the day; we will also provide helpful tips to reduce the swelling quickly.
If you need to wipe your lips after the procedure, use clean fragrance-free wipes and gently dab your lips to avoid complications down the road. Pay close attention to these essential dos and don’ts throughout the healing process.
The Do’s
Use a straw when drinking any fluids
Keep your lips clean at all times; hygiene is the utmost priority.
Moisturise your lips 3 – 4 times daily for the first 5 – 7 days to keep them moisturised, soothe any itchiness, and avoid flakiness.
See a doctor immediately if you suddenly develop a cold sore, as they will prescribe an antiviral medication to help with this. Cold sores occur because of your body’s low immunity and how it responds to trauma on the skin; it is one of the possible side effects of the procedure.
Let your lips heal naturally.
The Don'ts
Avoid touching your lips at all times, including biting or peeling scabs that form; let these scabs fall off on their own. Touching your lips can cause irritation or even infection; there is also a risk of pigment loss.
Avoid getting anything, even toothpaste, on your lips.
Avoid greasy, spicy, hot food and drinks if your lips feel tender for the first few days.
Avoid strenuous physical activity (including swimming) or prolonged sun exposure for two weeks.
Avoid going to a sauna or steam room for two weeks.
Avoid smoking or consuming alcohol.
Refrain from lipstick or lip gloss use on your lips for two weeks to avoid irritation or other issues.
Avoid using anti-ageing creams, acids, retinol, and chemical peels on or near your lips. Vaseline and products that use mineral oils should also be avoided during the healing process.
Timeline for the Lip Blushing Healing Process
Day 0
This marks the day of your lip blushing treatment. Once the session ends, your lips will appear swollen and feel a bit sensitive. This feeling is normal since the process involves needles that gently poke your lips to insert the pigments. Your artist will have given you an aftercare kit to help with this, including an aftercare gel; be sure to use it as instructed to prevent complications.
Day 1
Your lips may be swollen and a little sore on Day 1, but if the swelling seems bigger than it was on Day 0, contact your artist immediately and avoid taking things into your own hands; a qualified artist will know how to help you.
You may notice that your lip's blush colour darkens over the next few days before lightening as the skin flakes off. When this happens, it is part of the process; by weeks 5-6, the colour will resurface and darken slightly before eventually showing the true healed result. After your lips have healed sufficiently, you can always book a touch-up session to adjust the colour to your liking.
Day 2
By the second day, your lips will have returned to almost their original shape as long as you follow the aftercare instructions to the letter. Some have even shared that the discomfort is akin to tight skin.
At the same time, you may also notice that your lips feel dry and tight, with some scabbing. Make sure you keep using the aftercare gel as often as possible as instructed. By keeping your lips moisturised, you allow the colour to settle and the scabs will peel off smoothly over time and peel evenly for better results later. Without any, the scab may not peel off evenly or smoothly, which could cause the scabs to take on a patchy appearance.
This is also the time to start exercising restraint, so avoid touching your lips at all times, even when you feel like you should. You should restrict your mouth movements, take small bites, and drink with a straw to let the scabs form nicely without issues.
Day 3-4
By this time, the scabs will start to peel in patches or small strips, typically from the centre and moving outwards toward the edges. It may also be the other way around since everyone heals differently. Again, ensure that you do not pick at the scabs; this is a sign that your lips are healing slowly but surely. In most cases, nearly all of the scabs will peel off on their own toward the end of the day.
You may also experience more dryness and itchiness on your lips than in the past few days. If you experience any stinging, you might not be following the aftercare tips or may have peeled at the scabs. If not, have patience and let the scabbing and dryness run their course. If your artist says to continue moisturising your lips, take extra care not to peel any of the scabs accidentally.
Day 5-7
The dryness and itching will continue through these days, while the first round of peeling has ended on day 4. A second, thinner round starts from day 5, so your lips may feel a little extra sensitive during this time.
You might notice the pigment has faded significantly at this point, but there is nothing to worry about if this happens. Colour “ghosting” does happen and will gradually reappear in your desired shade over the next few weeks (typically six weeks). The good news is that you are almost nearing the end of the healing process; what a relief!
Day 8-13
You may continue to have dryness, itching, and peeling, but it should gradually come to an end by day 10. Peeling typically ends by day 10 as well, so be sure not to touch your lips while continuing to apply aftercare gel and moisturise your lips diligently as instructed by your artist.
Day 14 Onwards
By day 14, the dryness and itching should end, and your lips will look relatively normal. There may still be some colour ghosting, while others might find the colour has started to “bloom,” and your lip blush colour will gradually settle in in the next few weeks.
Your Follow-up Session
By week two, you should return to your regular daily routines, while your desired lip blush colour finally shows results by week four. Your lips may have healed by the second week, but that mainly applies to its exterior; the inside of your lips will take longer to recover, typically after four weeks. This is because the pigment must naturally set in; speeding up the process and doing the touch up session any earlier could cause potential complications that can damage your lip skin and not giving you the results that you are after.
You can have your first follow-up session six to eight weeks after your lip blush session, where your artist will help you refine and perfect your lip blush colour. Annual follow-up sessions, typically done every 8 to 15 months, can also help maintain lip blush colour and definition. The typical lifespan of the lip blush pigment is one to three years, so these annual sessions can ensure a lasting semi-permanent look for a longer period.
Long-Term Care for
Your Lip Blushing
Even after achieving your desired shade of lip blush, it never hurts to keep paying close attention to your lips and maintaining your lip blush colour. While it can last you as long as two years, various elements can still wear out the pigments faster.
Long-term exposure to the Sun can cause the lip pigments to fade away much faster. Ensure you regularly use lip balm or lipstick with SPF protection whenever you step out of the house. If possible, minimise the amount of sunlight on your lips; a face mask may be helpful.
Ensure that you keep your lips moisturised regularly to maintain the appearance of the pigments and avoid dryness that can affect the pigment’s lifespan.
Avoid using abrasive lip scrubs or harsh exfoliants on your lips, as they can potentially cause irritation or premature fading. Try to stick to a gentle skincare routine instead.
Avoid using oil-based lip products, as they can quickly break down the pigment. Instead, use water-based or pigment-safe lip products; you can always ask our artists for advice.
Avoid bruising or biting your lip to reduce the risk of infection or faster pigment fading.
Get Professional Lip Blush Advice with Jo Artysan
Now that you know what to expect from the lip blushing healing process, you can try lip blush embroidery for yourself with the professional support of Jo Artysan and our talented artists! With plenty of experience in the industry, we are committed to providing you with the best semi-permanent make-up solutions to meet your specific beauty needs. We are happy to help you bring out your inner beauty, making you feel gorgeous from the inside out.
Book an appointment with us today and take your first step towards bespoke beauty treatments that put your needs front and centre!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions will I need for lip blush embroidery?
It can take some individuals more than three sessions in order to achieve their ideal lip blush colour, especially if they have dark lips. We will provide you with a detailed and realistic brief on what you can expect from lip blush embroidery treatment, including the general timeframe before the ideal results begin to show. Feel free to speak to our artists for more information.
Can I still wear makeup during the healing process?
Facial makeup is perfectly fine, but you should avoid using lipstick or lip gloss until your lips completely recover.
Is lip blush embroidery suitable for everyone?
Lip blush embroidery is not as painful as you think (we rate it at 3 to 4 on a scale of 10, with 10 being very painful), and some clients were genuinely surprised by how comfortable the entire process turned out. Come and speak to any of our professional artists, and we can provide you with helpful advice and tailor your session to your needs.