LIP Care Instructions
FOLLOW THESE STEPS FOR GREAT lips.
Let's begin with a clean slate
Getting ready the right way helps your skin hold the pigment better, lowers the chance of problems, and makes healing easier.
Please read and follow these steps closely in the weeks before your appointment.
-
You cannot be accepted for your appointment if, at the time of your appointment, you are:
Younger than 18 years of age
Pregnant or nursing
On antibiotics, or have taken them within the past 3–4 weeks (please wait 3–4 weeks after your final dose before booking)
On immunosuppressants
Experiencing a viral infection (cold, flu, etc.)
Freshly tanned or sunburned on the face
Within 6 months of chemotherapy or radiation
Have used Accutane within the past year
Have an active cold sore or lip infection, or sunburned, cracked, or irritated lips
Cold sore / antiviral medication is required for every Lip Blush client — no exceptions, regardless of history. See the Cold Sore Prevention section below for what to take and when.
Also worth knowing before you book:
If you arrive with inflamed, sunburned, damaged, or compromised skin, your artist may need to reschedule your appointment for safety and the best results.
If you're planning to travel, swim, or spend extended time in direct sunlight within 10 days after your procedure, consider rescheduling — your lips need to be protected during healing.
You may be more sensitive during your menstrual cycle. This isn't a reason to reschedule — just something to expect.
-
Every lip blush client is required to take a prescription antiviral medication before and after their procedure — regardless of cold sore history. This applies to your initial session and every touch-up, with no exceptions.
Why: many people carry the herpes simplex virus without ever having had a visible outbreak, and the trauma of the lip blush procedure itself can be enough to trigger a first-time outbreak — even in someone who's never had one before. Requiring antiviral medication for all lip blush clients is simply the safest way to protect your results and your skin.
Getting your prescription: Call your physician to obtain a prescription-strength antiviral such as Zovirax, Famvir, or Valtrex (Valacyclovir). Let them know you're having your lips permanently tinted, and they can call the prescription in for you to pick up at your pharmacy.
When to take it: Begin taking your medication 3 days before your appointment and continue 3 days after. Taking it on the day of and the day after your procedure is a must — a potential outbreak can occur as the skin's natural reaction to the procedure itself. If an outbreak does happen, it usually shows up around the third day after your appointment.
If you get frequent outbreaks: Lip Blush can only be performed after 4 weeks have passed since your most recent outbreak.
All other questions or concerns about medications and outbreaks should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
-
Resurfacing Treatments
Avoid treatments that significantly resurface the skin around the lips, such as:
Deep chemical peels
Laser resurfacing treatments
Aggressive skin resurfacing procedures
The lip area should be fully healed and free of irritation before your appointment.
Lip Filler & Injectables
If you have recently had lip filler or Botox around the mouth, please allow approximately 4 weeks for swelling to fully resolve before scheduling Lip Blush.
3 weeks before
Retinoids & Exfoliating Acids
Avoid treatments that may thin or overly sensitize the skin near the lips, including:
Prescription retinoids (Retin-A, Tretinoin, Differin) applied near the lip area
Strong exfoliating acids (AHAs / BHAs) applied directly to the lips
Other Treatments
Also avoid:
Laser hair removal or electrolysis around the lip area
Intense sun exposure or tanning that could cause peeling, irritation, or sunburn on or around the mouth
Healthy, balanced skin helps support smoother pigment implantation and healing.
Oral Antibiotics
If you have taken oral antibiotics (such as doxycycline), please wait 3–4 weeks after your final dose before your appointment. This allows your skin and immune system to fully normalize, ensuring the best possible pigment retention and healing.
-
Skin Treatments
Avoid skin treatments around the lips such as:
Facials
Dermaplaning
Exfoliating treatments around the mouth
-
Lip Preparation
Begin gently preparing your lips:
Lightly exfoliate once per day using a sugar scrub or soft toothbrush
Apply a hydrating lip balm regularly
Keep lips well moisturized and free of cracking or peeling
Healthy, hydrated lips allow pigment to implant more evenly.
-
Blood Thinners & Alcohol
To help minimize bleeding, swelling, and sensitivity during the procedure, please avoid:
Alcohol
Aspirin
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Fish oil
Vitamin E
Niacin
Turmeric
Ginger
Ginkgo biloba
These substances may increase bleeding or circulation, which will make pigment implantation more difficult. If you take prescription medications, do not stop them unless directed by your doctor.
Cold Sores — begin your antiviral medication now. See Cold Sore Prevention above.
-
Caffeine
Please avoid caffeine, including:
Coffee
Matcha or tea
Energy drinks
Pre-workout supplements
Caffeine increases circulation and sensitivity, which will lead to increased bleeding during the procedure.
General Preparation
Stay well hydrated, avoid excessive sun exposure on the lips, and do not exfoliate your lips the day before your appointment.
-
Caffeine
Avoid caffeine of any kind, including coffee, tea, matcha, and energy drinks.
Activity
Avoid saunas, steam rooms, intense exercise, or anything that significantly increases circulation and sweating.
Cold Sores
Bring your antiviral medication with you, and let your artist know of any cold sore symptoms, past or current.
Skin & Makeup
Please arrive with clean lips, free of makeup, gloss, or skincare products.
Follow-Up Session
Lip Blush is a two-step process. Your follow-up/perfecting session should be completed within 6–12 weeks of your initial appointment, once your lips have fully healed.
What to Bring
To enhance your comfort, WiFi is available and headphones are recommended so you can relax during your session. Feel free to bring cozy slippers and a blanket if you get cold easily!
Have a question?
Let’s take care of those new lips
Follow these instructions to ensure the best healed results. Proper aftercare protects your investment and gives you the beautiful, long-lasting outcome you came for.
Post Care
Right After Your Procedure
Your lips may feel:
Swollen
Tender
Tight or slightly numb
This is completely normal and usually subsides within 24–72 hours.
Your color will appear much brighter and more saturated initially. As your lips heal, the color will soften and lighten before the final shade settles.
To support healing:
Keep lips clean
Apply the provided healing balm frequently
Avoid touching your lips with unwashed hands
Your Balm & Hydration Routine
Swelling and tenderness are still normal during the first 48 hours. During this stage:
Apply the healing balm frequently to keep lips moisturized
Drink through a straw if possible
Gently rinse lips with water after eating
Pat dry and reapply balm
Keeping the lips hydrated during this stage helps prevent excessive dryness and uneven healing.
The Following Days
Days 3–5: Your lips will begin to feel dry and tight, and light peeling may begin. This is a normal part of the healing process. Do not pick or peel the skin — instead, continue applying balm consistently, allow peeling to occur naturally, and avoid exfoliating or rubbing the lips. Picking can remove pigment prematurely and lead to patchy healing.
Days 6–10: Most visible peeling will be complete. Your lips may appear lighter than expected, or the color may seem uneven — this is temporary. Over the following weeks, the pigment will gradually soften and return as the skin regenerates. Continue keeping your lips hydrated.
Protecting Your Results
Your lips may go through a phase where the color looks very light or faded. This is part of the normal healing process.
The pigment will slowly bloom back to its final result as the skin fully regenerates.
Final healed results are typically visible around 4–6 weeks.
Your follow-up/perfecting session should be completed within 6–12 weeks of your initial appointment, and can refine color and density if needed.
Once your lips are healed, use SPF lip balm when exposed to the sun.
Keep lips hydrated regularly, and avoid aggressive exfoliation.
Proper care helps maintain color longevity and keeps your lips looking fresh.
What to Expect (Days May Vary From Person to Person):
Immediately after: The lips feel swollen, sore and tight.
Day 2: Lips are much darker and still feel swollen & dry, but pain is gone.
Day 3–4: The skin is dry, flaking and peeling. Uneven color, and the outline is often darker than the inside area.
Day 5–6: The flaking is almost gone, but color is uneven. Lips can still feel very dry.
Day 7–31: The lips have healed completely but the color is much lighter and softer.
Week 4–6: The color has settled and bloomed. Lips may still feel dry for up to a month post-procedure.
Week 6–12: Your follow-up/perfecting session should be completed within 6–12 weeks of your initial appointment, and can refine color and density if needed.
We want you to love your new lips and will be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have following your procedure. We are so grateful to have you as a client! Enjoy your new beautiful lips!
Please Note: Effects vary on different individuals, e.g. skin types that affect the attachment of color. Most clients will need 2 sessions; some will only need 1 and some will need a 3rd touch-up to complete the look. Failure to follow aftercare instructions may result in infections, pigment loss or discoloration. The supplies provided in the kit are enough to last through the initial session and touch-up. Should you run out before your touch-up, a follow-up kit is available for $15.00.