Lip blushing is a type of semipermanent cosmetic tattooing procedure achieved by depositing pigments in your lips using small needles.

While also sometimes called lip tattooing, this is more of a cosmetic enhancement rather than traditional tattoo art. Lip blushing focuses on altering both color and shape to create younger-looking lips.

Everyone’s lips are different, and there’s no one standard of beauty. But if you would like to change the appearance or color of your lips, you may be interested in lip blushing.

However, there are many aspects of the procedure to consider, including:

Here’s what you need to know about lip blushing before getting started.

A lip blushing procedure is similar to lip tattooing. It’s accomplished in the following way:

Your provider will apply a numbing product to your lips beforehand to help minimize pain and discomfort.

The lower your pain tolerance, the more discomfort you might feel. However, some people may not feel much pain at all. You may consider taking acetaminophen before your appointment to decrease your chances of feeling pain.

Avoid taking naproxen, ibuprofen, or aspirin beforehand, as well as supplements like fish oil, garlic, gingko, and vitamin E — these can increase bleeding and bruising.

Lip blushing is considered a semipermanent procedure. This means you’ll need to repeat the process every few years to maintain your results.

Frequent lip exfoliation, sun exposure, and smoking can all make the pigment fade quicker.

Lip blushing carries the same side effects and risks of traditional tattooing. Minor side effects are to be expected, though they’ll decrease as your lips heal. These include:

Without proper aftercare and healing, your lips may become infected. Call a doctor if you notice:

A severe infection may also cause a fever and chills.

Other possible side effects include:

Lip blushing can help if you’d like to achieve more symmetry and tone. Your provider will likely help you choose a natural-looking pigment for your treatment.

Here are a few real-life examples to gain an idea of what lip blushing looks like.

The healing process of lip blushing is similar to that of a tattoo. You’ll see swelling and redness, which you can help treat with ice or cold compresses. While it may be tempting to bandage your lips, you should let them air-dry for best results.

As your lips start to heal, the skin will scab for about a week. Do not pick at these scabs — this may cause scarring and uneven tone as your lip tattoo heals.

Place petroleum jelly on your lips for relief and protection.

You may also consider avoiding intense workouts for a few weeks as your lips heal. Avoid direct sun exposure during this time, too. Don’t worry if your lips look darker than you anticipated; this is a normal side effect that will wear off as your lips heal.

Expect to see full results from lip blushing in about a month. Your provider may ask you to come in for a follow-up appointment at this time to assess your results.

A touch-up session may be required after a couple of months to achieve the precise color you want.

While lip blushing is essentially achieved by tattooing, the procedure is typically performed by an aesthetician or cosmetic tattoo technician instead of a traditional tattoo artist.

This is because aestheticians are equipped with the ability to help you achieve anti-aging results, rather than just lip color alone.

When looking for a provider, make sure they’re a licensed and experienced aesthetician or cosmetic tattooist. You should be able to see a portfolio of their work to gain a sense of their skills.

Lip blushing should be performed at a skin care facility or medical office only.

Lip blushing is a cosmetic procedure, so it’s not covered by medical insurance.

On average, permanent makeup procedures cost a minimum of $400 to $800 per session. Due to the multiple layers required in lip blushing, the cost may go much higher.

However, your total cost will vary based on your provider and where you live. You may also ask your provider about financing and payment plans to help offset your up-front costs.

Never enlist the services of someone who’s unlicensed or inexperienced in order to save yourself some money. You may end up with poor results — or even dangerous side effects — that you may need to have a professional fix.

Lip blushing is a form of tattooing to help achieve more toned and shapely lips, if you desire. However, this isn’t the only anti-aging lip treatment available.

Talk with a dermatologist about any concerns you have with your lips, so they can help you understand your treatment options.

If you decide that lip blushing is your best option, work with a licensed and reputable provider who’ll also go over any risks associated with the procedure.

Call a doctor right away if you develop any side effects following your procedure.

Last medically reviewed on September 18, 2020

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