Some aftercare advice for the Australian summer that lip blush clients can put their trust in comes down to three things: make sure your new tattoo is clean, heed what your technician says about products and shield the lips from UV rays, water, sweat and heat. In summer the healing process is not as straightforward; dehydration, a dip in the pool or strong UV will have an effect on pigment retention and can be irritating to the skin.
I am Nicholas Fairchild. One has to learn from experience when you have put skincare to the test under the deceptively hard sun of Hobart, the dust of the Yarra Valley and Melbourne’s heat. What I have found over the years is that there is merit in keeping your routine simple. The following is meant to be of practical use though, of course, any written instruction from your cosmetic tattooist or a health professional is to be followed first. For cosmetic tattooists, professional needle guidance can also be valuable.
Your First Two Days
Steady healing of your lip blush is set in the first 24-48 hours. There will be some redness and swelling, tenderness and a colour that is far more pronounced than it will be in the end.
People are often caught unawares by how much of a nuisance normal pursuits can be; the toothpaste gets to the edge of the lips, hot coffee stings and the gym yields more perspiration than one would think. Have your aftercare balm, a clean drink and something to eat sorted before you go in so there is no fuss later on.
Immediate Care Checklist
- Hands must be washed prior to touching the mouth or putting on an approved product.
- If your technician has told you to, put some lymph fluid away with a disposable and blot it gently, do not rub at it.
- A thin layer of ointment your treatment calls for is all that is needed; apply with a clean applicator.
- Gentle cleansing should be done per your technician’s directions. Soaking is to be avoided.
- A cold compress wrapped up is fine for short periods if you are so advised but never put ice to the skin.
- Do not pick, bite or scratch where you have been treated.
- Broken skin should be kept clear of makeup, active ingredients and anything with a fragrance, including toothpaste.
- Should you have any symptoms to be concerned about or the swelling does not subside, get in touch with your technician without delay.
There is no virtue in a thick, glossy application. An excess of ointment will hold in debris and moisture and too much wiping of the lips will agitate the tissue. Stick to what is in your personal instructions.
Your Healing Timeline Explained
How Your Lip Blush Will Heal
A day by day account of the aftercare will put you in a position to tell the difference between a warning and what is to be expected. It is not a linear affair; as the deeper tissue and surface mend the pigment may seem faint, bright or patchy before it is clear.
The table below is indicative of what is common, not a promise. Timing is subject to the technique, the state of your skin and how much sun you have had.
| Period | Common Appearance | Practical Care |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Bold in colour with mild to moderate swelling and tenderness | Apply a thin coat of the balm as prescribed and use a cold compress if you are allowed to. Blot only as you have been told. |
| Days 2–3 | Dark colour persists, early flaking, the lips feel tight and dry | Keep hands clean. Do not be tempted to see if an edge is loose with your teeth or fingers and stay away from superfluous moisture. |
| Days 4–7 | Uneven colour and some light scabbing or flakes | Let the flakes go on their own. No exfoliating or scrubbing, just carry on with the routine. |
| Days 8–14 | A calmer look to the surface and the colour might appear pale | Shun irritants and the sun until the skin has closed up. |
| Weeks 2–4 | An even tone becomes apparent | Put other products back in rotation once the skin is healed and you have the technician’s ok. |
| Weeks 4–8 | Colour is settled enough to judge | Come in for the review and we can talk about a touch-up if called for. |
Expectation Versus Reality
Reality Check
One might anticipate a tidy evolution to a perfect tint but for a few days you are in for a rough time with the flakes and dryness. Day four sees a good deal of concern as peeling commences and the colour is uneven. A flake may be hanging on like a mozzie at dusk but resist the urge to pick it; you risk reopening the skin and lifting some of the pigment.
Managing Summer Heat Safely
While the skin barrier is mending, sensible aftercare means less exposure to the elements. You need not be cooped up but it is not the time for a steamy kitchen or a long run or the beach right after your procedure.
Then there is the matter of where you are in Australia. The wet season in northern WA and the Top End with its cyclones and humidity, or the cool air and intense UV in Hobart, are no place for fresh cosmetic work to be given a free pass.
Plan Around Local Conditions
Make an appointment to precede a few uneventful days, not one that is immediately followed by a festival, a camping excursion or a run up the Stuart Highway. One must hydrate as usual and put on the topical product of choice in a way that does not smother the skin; the heat outdoors will have you perspiring and air conditioning has a way of drying out the lips.
For the time your technician lays down for initial healing, stay clear of any exertion, hot yoga, saunas or steam rooms and do not put yourself in heavy heat. Salt in sweat stings and all the wiping involved only adds friction and puts material from your hands or towel on the area.
Then there are local considerations. Bushfire smoke in summer is an irritant to the mouth and if you are in the north cyclone activity can make follow-up difficult. Heed the emergency advice when it is warranted but do not make a bush logistics issue of nothing; a calm schedule, some shade and clean hands will suffice.
Protecting Lips From Ultraviolet
Healing skin is susceptible to ultraviolet radiation which can cause injury and hasten fading, so lip blush should be shielded from the sun with physical shade doing most of the work. In Australia the UV Index is often high enough to warrant protection even on a mild or overcast day. The Bureau of Meteorology ultraviolet forecasts will tell you when the index is 3 or above and sun protection is called for; let the forecast for your location be your guide, not the temperature.
Use Shade Before Sunscreen
Broken or flaking skin in the early stages is no place for an unapproved sunscreen. Put on a broad-brimmed hat and keep to the shade, timing any errands to miss the peak UV hours. When the surface has healed and your technician gives the go ahead, a broad-spectrum SPF is fine for the lips and should be reapplied as the label directs, say after a meal or drink. But a lip sunscreen is not a licence to be in the full summer sun for hours, hat and shade notwithstanding.
Choosing Safe Aftercare Products
There is no point in using whatever tub is lying next to the billy if it is not the one sanctioned for your protocol. Studios have their own systems and techniques, and universal claims about a product are more of a hindrance. Get written instructions and professional needle guidance prior to treatment. Be sure of the product, how thick to apply it and for how many days, particularly with a history of dermatitis or allergies.
Ointments Need Clear Instructions
Some will look to Bepanthen or Vaseline post treatment. Formulations differ though and a technician may want a sterile or single-use item. Do not make substitutions without permission. The same goes for the oft asked question of whether a paw paw cream is suitable for lip blush; it might have preservatives or fragrances not part of the plan. “Natural” is no guarantee it is right for new tattoo work. Leave the antiseptic, exfoliant, essential oils and cold-sore remedies alone; if you think there is an infection or viral problem, get medical opinion instead of raiding the bathroom drawer.
Eating Drinking And Daily Activities
A bit of organisation is better than trying to eat a drippy mango at the sink with tender lips. Simple meals and a bottle of water are what is needed to spare the tissue from dirty water and friction.
Practical Dos And Don’ts
- Small bites and clean cutlery are in order. If they sting or your technician has put a stop to them, forgo the spicy, salty or acidic fare and anything too hot.
- A straw is acceptable if recommended, provided it is placed with care to avoid any scraping or puckering.
- Do not be in the ocean, a pool or spa until the skin is sound; chlorine, salt and microorganisms are variables best left out.
- Wait for the peeling to be done and for clearance from your technician before any lipstick or liner is used, and never put an old lipstick on broken skin.
- Kissing and oral contact should be off limits in the first instance given the saliva and friction involved.
- Put off the gym and saunas as per your instructions.
- Smoking and vaping are to be avoided while the area is mending, the hand-to-mouth contact and chemicals being aggravating.
- And unless told otherwise, keep retinoids, acids, face cleansers and whitening toothpaste well away from the tattooed line.
Recognising A Possible Complication
Some of the first signs to expect are a little swelling and tenderness, as well as dryness and flaking; for the most part one should see an improvement. But if pain or inflammation intensifies it is not a matter for a heroic wait-and-see, but something to be dealt with.
Have your technician do an aftercare check, yet any symptoms pointing to an allergy, infection or other kind of complication call for medical care. A cosmetic tattooist is not in a position to make a diagnosis or offer treatment for a medical condition.
Warning Signs Need Action
One should not put off getting medical advice over spreading redness, a rise in warmth, pus, a bad odour, fever, red streaks, a rash that has gone widespread, facial swelling, marked swelling, significant bleeding or worsening pain and a general sense of unwellness. In the event of a severe allergic reaction evidenced by trouble breathing, faintness or a swollen tongue or throat, call emergency services.
Those prone to cold sores may find lip trauma brings them on. Should you have oral herpes in your past, a doctor needs to be consulted prior to the procedure as the clinician will determine if prescription prevention is called for. Any new sores, tingling or blisters in the wake of treatment need to be seen to without delay and you should be careful not to come into contact with others.
Keeping Your Colour Longer
Once the flakes are a thing of the past you can start on long-term maintenance. There is no routine that will put a guarantee on how long a colour will last, but sensible hydration, gentle skincare and daily UV protection will go some way to preserving the healed look.
As to pigment retention, that is down to the individual and how he or she heals, as well as skin type, technique, lifestyle and health. Do not take before-and-after photos as some kind of contractual obligation.
Book Reviews At The Right Time
A touch-up for a lip blush is typically put in once the colour has had a few weeks to set, in accordance with the studio’s review window. The 4 to 8 week span shown in the table is a workable range for assessment, though it is up to the original technician to fix the date according to his method and the way you have healed.
There is no point in making a hasty return for more pigment at week two because the lips appear pale; working on tissue that has not finished healing is a recipe for unnecessary trauma. And if summer plans involve time outdoors, swimming or travel, talk to the studio about scheduling before you book so as not to have to fit recovery in around them.
Common Questions Answered Clearly
The following are meant to address what is usually asked after an appointment. Individual instructions are still paramount given the differences in products, depth of treatment, medical history and healing. Where there is a discrepancy between your written plan and the sort of lip tattoo aftercare Australia advice found online, get clarification from your technician. For anything of a medical nature, see a health professional.
Caring For Lips After Treatment
Hands and the area must be kept clean. Only blot when told to, put on a thin coating of the product you have been given, stay away from friction and soaking and allow the flakes to fall of their own accord. Adhere to the aftercare plan and avoid direct sun, sweat and heat.
Waiting Before Wearing Lipstick
Is there a day count for when it is safe to wear lipstick? Not one that applies across the board. You have to wait for the peeling to end and for the skin to be comfortable and fully closed and for the technician to give the nod on makeup. It is frequently after the first week, then again healing is variable.
Understanding Changes Around Day Four
What to make of things four days on? Some will report patchy colour, scabbing, flaking and dryness. Resist the urge to pull at any loose skin and request an assessment if you are experiencing more redness, heat, swelling or pain.
Going Outdoors After Treatment
Freshly treated lips should be shielded from the sun. If you have to be out, a broad-brimmed hat and some shade are in order. When the surface has entirely healed you can use an approved broad-spectrum lip SPF and reapply as directed.
Swimming During The Healing Period
Hold off until the skin is done healing and the technician has said it is fine. A waterproof balm is no substitute for protecting broken or peeling skin from the sea, a pool or spa.
A Simple Summer Takeaway
It is not a case of stocking up on creams so much as limiting exposure. Hands clean, ointment as approved, no picking or swimming and proper UV protection. Make room for a quiet recovery and have your technician’s words to hand.
By Nicholas Fairchild. Should you have any medical misgivings, do not be a hero and contact a qualified health professional early. Not with broken skin in an Australian summer.
