Lip tattoo techniques: how to choose the best one

Issues discussed in the material:

How permanent makeup transforms your appearance
What types of lip tattoos exist?
In what situations is this or that technique suitable?
How is the lip tattoo procedure performed?
What are the features of preparing and caring for lips after tattooing?
How to choose a salon and permanent makeup artist

The procedure for lip tattooing or micropigmentation is the process of introducing a special hypoallergenic pigment into the subcutaneous layer to a depth of 0.3–0.8 mm, with the help of which the lips acquire a clear, indelible contour. We will consider the most popular lip tattoo techniques in this article.

Lip tattoo techniques examples with photos

Permanent lip tattooing techniques are selected by a professional artist depending on the problem that needs to be solved. We will consider all types of modern permanent makeup in detail below.

Contour technique.

Most women over 40 experience blurred lip lines. It is with this problem that they come to the salon. The clear outline obtained as a result of the procedure resembles a pencil stroke.

It is worth noting that lip correction in this way does not change the shape acquired from birth. A correctly performed technique leads to a natural effect: the selected pigment, in perfect harmony with the natural shade, transforms the lips. The result of the correction looks natural and soft.

Contour technique with shading.

To give lips brightness and richness, they use the technique of permanent makeup with shading and contouring. The idea of such a tattoo is to apply a contour of the same shade as the pigment used on the lips. The middle is not painted over, visually creating the effect of slightly erased lipstick.

Due to the fact that the permanent is applied beyond the natural boundaries of the contour, the effect of plump and more voluminous lips is created. Any shade of pigment can be chosen - both dark and light. Young ladies of all ages can use the technology.

3D technology.

Contour with shading

In this case, the contour is not a thin line, but a shaded one, thanks to which you can experiment with the color of lipstick within a wider range than in the case of a clear contour. At the same time, this type of tattoo is also divided into two subtypes: a slightly darker contour smoothly turns into shading (shading width is about 5 mm), a natural contour, clear, matching the tone of the shading.

Before starting the procedure, it is important to have a complete understanding of it. You should listen to the opinion of the master. Also, preparing for tattooing requires taking medications for herpes. The course must be started 3 days before the procedure itself. But these are not all precautions; some people are contraindicated for any type of lip tattoo. You should consult a dermatologist and allergist about the possibility of applying it.

Preparation for lip tattooing

Prevention of herpes is a necessary condition for performing permanent lip makeup. As a result of the procedure, regardless of the technique used, microdamages are formed on the delicate skin, which contribute to a decrease in tissue immunity, resulting in the formation of herpes. This applies even to those girls who have never encountered such an illness before. Neglect of prevention will lead to your lips being affected by herpes on the second to fifth day. Not only will the appearance suffer, but the pigment injected under the skin will be corroded by infection, and areas where the herpes is localized will remain unfilled with color.

About a week before the procedure, you need to take Acyclovir and Valtrex. On the day of your visit to the specialist and two days after it, you need to continue taking these remedies. Before tattooing, do not drink tea, coffee, alcohol or energy drinks for 24 hours, and do not eat seafood or any dishes that thin the blood.

To maintain and strengthen the immune system, you can drink vitamin C, Immunal and homeopathic medicines.

What is permanent lip makeup?

Permanent lip makeup is a procedure that consists of introducing hypoallergenic coloring compounds into the upper layer of the epidermis, to a depth of 0.3 - 0.8 mm.

This is done using special tools. High-quality makeup is not influenced by external factors, does not wear off, and retains its original shade for a long time.

A permanent tattoo cannot be called a tattoo, since correction will be required in a few years.

Judging by the numerous reviews about permanent makeup, photos before and after the procedure, we can conclude that such a service is very popular among modern women.

With it, the fair sex will not have to worry about their own beauty, the quality of evening or everyday makeup.

A very long time ago, people in Rome and Egypt highlighted their lips using dyes of natural origin. Paint was applied using bamboo sticks with a sharp end.
Cosmetologist Scott Ellis

Lip tattooing allows you to solve many aesthetic problems:

effectively masks imperfections such as scars, cleft lip, asymmetry and others;
if your lips are too thin, the procedure will help visually increase volume;
with age, the contours blur, become blurred, a professional service returns clarity, attractive plumpness, and brightness of color;
busy fashionistas, always rushing about their business, will be spared the daily application and adjustment of cosmetics.

Permanent makeup, performed with precise adherence to technology, looks as natural as possible. People around you will not be able to distinguish it from ordinary makeup.

Prohibitions and contraindications to the procedure

The permanent tattoo procedure is absolutely contraindicated for diabetes, oncology, liver, kidney failure, HIV infection, hepatitis, AIDS, epilepsy, bronchial asthma, hypertension, acne, poor blood clotting, dermatological diseases, breastfeeding, mental disorders and diseases of the central nervous system , pregnancy and the presence of keloid scars.

Also, lip tattooing has a number of limitations.

Firstly

, it is prohibited to use excessively bright and saturated pigment that resembles lipstick in dark shades: cherry, burgundy, brown, plum, etc.

12 studios throughout Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod and Tula

223 masters for every taste

High-quality service with a 7-day guarantee

Regular promotions and gifts for clients

Full volume 1990₽ 1492₽ Double volume 2590₽ 1942₽ Triple volume 2890₽ 2167₽ Hollywood volume 3400₽ 2550₽

Book 25% discount

Secondly

, permanent application should be avoided during critical periods or with weakened immunity.

Third

, an absolutely necessary condition is the prevention of herpes.

Fourth

, when applying pigment, it is forbidden to go beyond the line of the natural contour of the lips.

In addition, performing the procedure at home is unacceptable! The service should be provided only by a specialist with the necessary qualifications, in a clean office, using a sterile disposable instrument.

Advantages and disadvantages

Permanent makeup is suitable for girls who have too pale lip pigment and unclear contours, who want to enlarge their mouth or change its outline, as well as those who do not like to waste time on multi-stage makeup. Properly performed tattooing can solve many appearance problems. It makes lips fuller, clearer and brighter, allowing you to do without daily makeup. The advantages of the procedure include:

low trauma and low risk of complications;
the ability to choose the appropriate technique, color and pigment saturation;
natural lip augmentation;
the inks used for tattooing do not cause irritation or allergies;
with the help of permanent makeup you can hide small defects and scars;
after contouring, the face becomes more well-groomed and youthful.

An experienced craftsman does not just paint the border. He can subtly enhance the shape of the mouth by lifting the corners, highlighting the cupid line, or emphasizing the lower lip. These small tricks allow you to change the proportions of your face and do without plastic surgery.

Despite the many advantages, lip tattooing also has its disadvantages. These include:

Medical contraindications. The procedure will be prohibited for active herpes, autoimmune diseases, diabetes and pregnancy. Caution should also be exercised if you are prone to allergies or hypersensitive skin.
Possibility of infection during the procedure or during the recovery period.
Insufficient qualification of the master. An unsightly lip contour or a bad color will have to be corrected with a repeat procedure.
The high cost of tattooing and the need for correction after 1.5-2 years. In some cases, you will have to refresh the pigment more often.
Soreness. Women with increased sensitivity do not tolerate the procedure well, even with anesthesia.

The work begins with contouring, then shading.

Permanent application technique

In the master’s office, before the procedure, the first thing you will need to do is discuss and draw a sketch. This is a very important task, because it is necessary to discuss all the nuances: choose a shape, color scheme, suitable pigment, tattoo application technique. The specialist should also tell you about the possibilities of correcting certain deficiencies: unclear borders, pale skin associated with herpes, drooping corners of the mouth.

The procedure is as follows:

Drawing a sketch on the lips and fixing it.
Passing along the contour of the sketch with a device that makes micropunctures. The manipulation is performed without anesthesia.
Application of an anesthetic spray, gel or cream commonly used in dentistry. A specialist makes applications. An experienced master never gives injections, as they cause swelling and lead to disruption of the sketch.
Micropigmentation is performed using a special device with a thin needle.

The duration of the procedure is from one to three hours. The duration directly depends on the chosen lip tattoo technique. Creating a contour will not take much time, while watercolor or fondant techniques, Naturelle, 3D, Lip Light and the shading method take more than one hour. Application anesthesia does not always have a long-term effect. In such situations, anesthesia is repeated.

Useful video

Once you become closely interested in the issue of tattooing, you simply must study it from all sides. Especially for these purposes, we invite you to familiarize yourself with thematic video materials, from which you will receive direct recommendations from professionals.

The masters will reveal to you the intricacies of the process itself, and will also indicate a number of nuances, on the basis of which you can subsequently choose not only the optimal conditions for applying paint, but also the artist himself directly in your city.

Add eye-catching features and added practicality to your look with modern procedures for injecting permanent color into the top layers of your lips. Tattooing is your chance to achieve a flawless appearance in any situation , because you no longer have to constantly touch up and adjust the treated area.

Choose the best methods of applying paint, become familiar with the risks and contraindications, and surround yourself with a professional approach from an experienced artist today. Let your appearance become flawless.

How to choose lip tattoo color

Perhaps the most difficult thing in the permanent makeup process is determining the color of the pigment. This is not surprising, since you will wear it on your lips for several years. This is why it is so important to take a responsible approach to choosing a master. A professional in his field will be able to accurately determine your face type, skin color and select the most correct option.

The choice of color is limited only by your imagination. In the final version, the lip color can be absolutely any, even blue, if you so choose. But such radical changes are useless, because it is much better to emphasize the shade given to you by nature.

When choosing a tone, you can be guided by the color of your hair. For example, shades of pink and nude colors suit blondes, while red and brown suit brunettes. Selecting a pigment is very similar to buying lipstick. If necessary, the specialist applies each shade of pigment to the lips, and all you have to do is “try it on” for yourself and make the final decision.

How to do this makeup

Permanent makeup for brunettes, blondes and redheads is done according to the same principle. The master injects natural dyes under the client’s skin, and then, if necessary, shades them over the entire area. The process itself involves only four stages:

Choice of color and style. A good master will always provide you with a choice of current options for applying pigment paint, as well as an abundance of the coloring composition itself.
Marking the area. Initially, the specialist forms the outline with an erasable pencil, and only then begins to work with tattoo equipment.
Read also: Plasmolifting - the use of platelet membranes from blood plasma in dentistry
Application. Once the specialist has chosen the paint, the processing method and applied the preliminary contour, he begins the main process.
Correction. After 3-4 weeks after the color is applied, you will need to attend a correction to fix the color.

Consequences of lip tattoo

Before you decide to tattoo your lips, you need to consider all the positive aspects and possible negative consequences of the procedure. The correct selection of material combined with the professionalism of the specialist will lead to the best result - the beautiful lips you dreamed of. But you need to take into account that within a month the swelling will subside and the crust will disappear.

Although micropigmentation is a cosmetic procedure, it is an operation. And any operation, as we know, carries the risk of negative consequences. In addition to cosmetic defects, health problems may arise. The pigment introduced under the skin, being a foreign substance, directly affects the immune system and cellular structure.

The most common side effect of lip tattooing is herpes. The next most popular positions are occupied by infectious diseases that occur when dirt and dust enter the affected areas. They form in the form of wounds and pustules and carry a risk of infection. An insufficient level of skill can lead to the fact that the procedure leaves scars and wounds, which can be quite difficult to get rid of.

The least severe consequences are considered to be an allergic reaction and swelling. They arise as a response of the body to the administered drug. Moreover, if swelling that appeared immediately after the procedure and subsided within a couple of days is considered normal, then a longer reaction requires immediate consultation with a doctor. Taking antihistamines, applying hydrocortisone ointment to the lips, and applying dry ice have a beneficial effect only in rare cases. This situation requires contacting a therapist and the specialist who performed the procedure.

Improperly performed tattooing can cause aesthetic problems - uneven lip contour and color. There are also disadvantages such as uneven pigment distribution and gaps. Contacting a more qualified technician will allow you to positively resolve the situation.

Ombre

At the moment, this is the newest type of lip tattoo. It is considered the most beautiful and high quality. The master will need not only clear movements, but also the ability to correct colors. The technique itself involves gradually lightening the folds of the lips from the contour to the middle. If all shades are chosen correctly, the effect will be unsurpassed. The lips will be stylish, plump and alluring, and at the same time very natural. With this type of tattoo, you can completely change your image - both the shape and color of your lips change, and these changes can be radical. Shades are not always selected from the same range - the more interesting the result.

Each girl must decide for herself which types of lip tattoos are best. After all, everyone has their own ideas about beauty. Some people like a clear, eye-catching outline, while others want maximum volume. Each case should be considered individually.

Lip tattoo and herpes

As mentioned earlier, before the procedure it is necessary to undergo a course of prophylaxis using drugs against herpes. This will reduce the likelihood of the disease occurring, but will not eliminate it completely. To be completely confident in the successful outcome of the procedure, you need to use the service in a salon whose reputation is beyond doubt. You shouldn't skimp on your health. The cost of treatment if unsuccessful can be much higher.

Pay attention to the cleanliness of the office and the materials the master works with. The main cause of herpes is the use of dirty instruments or insufficient sterility of the room. The artist should use exclusively disposable tools when opening lip tattoo needles in front of you. The absence of gloves and sterile instruments should alert you and prompt you to refuse the procedure.

Before performing micropigmentation, check the reputation of the specialist. Do not focus on cost - this is not a decisive factor in making a decision in favor of a particular salon. Look at the portfolio, read the reviews, and only then trust your lips to a specialist.

What do cosmetologists advise?

The specialist considers each situation separately. But some recommendations apply to everyone:

Bright and acidic colors are a risky decision. They will be appropriate for evening makeup, but not all day. Therefore, cosmetologists advise avoiding them.

The expiration date of the dye is checked before each procedure. The client also has the right to examine certificates confirming the specialist’s competence and the quality of all components used for the procedure (pigments, anesthetics, painkillers). Do not use drugs that have expired.

From an environmental point of view, the optimal solution is natural dye components. They give natural shades and are well tolerated by the body. The permanent micropigmentation procedure requires financial investment. You cannot skimp on the quality of dyes, anesthetics and other components. Low quality materials will ruin the appearance, and fixing the problem is much more difficult and expensive. Low quality will be noticeable for many days, much longer than the joy of the savings achieved. Therefore, cosmetologists advise using dyes from manufacturers with a good reputation.

Lip tattoo: healing by day

Lips heal quite quickly after tattooing.

After about 4-5 days, you can see color changes on your lips. The complete picture of the transformation by day is as follows:

Day 1: lips look very bright. Redness and swelling are observed. Immediately after the procedure, such a reaction is considered normal and does not require any action.
Days 2–3: swelling is observed to subside. The color remains bright. Crust formation is possible.
Days 4–5: Steady crust formation occurs. There is a feeling of discomfort due to the fact that the lips begin to itch very much. To avoid risk, you need to minimize contact of your hands with your lips, and in no case tear off dry formations. The healing process should take place naturally.
Days 6–7: lips are completely cleared of crust. They are set to a shade close to natural. The result begins to please you, and there is an indispensable desire to appear in all your glory.

The final result can be assessed after about 30 days. This is exactly how long it takes for the lips to take on their natural appearance and final color.

Post-procedure care

Often a thin crust forms at the puncture site. You cannot rip it off; bleeding and the formation of unsightly scars are possible. The lips should heal naturally. It is recommended to smear the skin with a moisturizing antiseptic gel; the crust will fall off in 3-4 days, leaving no traces.

If the skin is swollen, it is recommended to take an antihistamine. All unpleasant symptoms disappear completely 12 hours after the procedure. The colors gradually fade, the lips acquire normal shape.

After tattooing, you cannot visit the sauna or swimming pool, sunbathe on the beach or in the solarium. For a week, you need to give up decorative cosmetics for your lips and any cosmetic creams other than the wound-healing agent recommended in the salon. It is important to ensure that toothpaste, shampoo and other medications do not come into contact with inflamed skin. The healing and recovery process will take 2 weeks, after which you can fully evaluate the work of the cosmetologist.

How long does lip tattoo last?

Many factors influence the preservation of the effect of lip tattooing. The main ones are the client’s age and the quality of the pigment. The younger the woman resorting to the service, the less lasting the effect of the procedure. This is due to rapid skin regeneration and accelerated metabolism. The higher the quality of the coloring pigment, the longer its effect and retention of color on the lips. Low quality paint will last no more than a year, but good quality dye will last more than three years.

In addition, the use of low-quality pigment entails not only fading or complete disappearance of the tattoo, but also staining the lips green or blue. Neither a laser, nor even home attempts will help completely get rid of this problem. Therefore, you need to carefully approach the choice of a salon and specialist, not guided by price alone. A high-quality lip tattoo procedure cannot be cheap.

The enemies of permanent makeup are peeling, tanning, sauna and steam bath. They significantly reduce the lifespan of the tattoo. Therefore, to ensure proper care, you need to limit your exposure to the factors listed above that negatively affect your new lip color.

Are tattoo dyes safe?

The issue of the safety of the procedure for applying a cosmetic tattoo and the pigments used for this is acute. Different experts sometimes express diametrically opposed opinions on this issue: from accusing pigments of the ability to provoke cancer to statements about the complete safety of dyes for health.

The truth, given such a range of opinions, usually lies somewhere between the extreme positions. At the initial stage of development of cosmetic micropigmentation, low quality components were used. Many of them contained harmful components and could cause serious harm to health. Modern drugs meet safety standards and cannot harm health.

Cosmetic tattoo is an intervention in the body. Therefore, people who take responsibility for their own health make efforts to ensure that it is as safe as possible.

Lip tattoo care

As for long-term care, first of all, it is necessary to limit exposure to the sun and avoid scrubbing the lips. In the immediate aftermath of the procedure, you should treat your sponges with special care. During the procedure, they were exposed to the aggressive effects of the device and received microtraumas. For quick healing, it is recommended to frequently lubricate the surface with wound-healing and disinfecting ointments. Do not allow the delicate skin of your lips to dry out.

In the first time after the procedure, to avoid infection, avoid using decorative cosmetics. During tissue regeneration, it is preferable to stay at home to eliminate the risk of infection. Also, mechanical impact should not be allowed: do not rub your lips with your hands or a towel. To quickly relieve swelling, apply dry ice to your lips and apply a healing ointment. If necessary, seek help from specialists.

Recovery and possible complications

The skin on the lips is very sensitive, as a large number of nerve endings are concentrated there. In this regard, when microtrauma occurs on the surface of the lips, swelling or edema often occurs in this part of the face. The recovery period begins immediately after the procedure and lasts about three weeks (during this time the epidermis goes through a renewal cycle and the skin is completely restored).

In the first day or two, a woman may experience discomfort or itching in the tattoo area. On the third day, the surface of the lips becomes covered with crusts (keratinized epidermis), which disappear by the end of the first or beginning of the second week after the procedure. At this time, it is especially important to properly care for injured lips - periodically wipe with a disinfectant solution of Chlorhexidine, lubricate with a special cream for tattooing and continue to take medications to prevent herpes.

Instead of a special cream to heal the tattoo area, you can use Bepanten - apply a thin layer to the affected area several times a day. Such products promote rapid regeneration of skin cells. If pain occurs, you can drink Analgin.

During the recovery period, a woman faces some restrictions, namely:

- It is forbidden to brush your teeth with toothpaste, only rinsing the mouth with plain water is allowed;

- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight. In cases where this is unavoidable, be sure to use a high sunscreen cream or a disposable face mask;

— during the period of lip tattoo healing, you should stop drinking hot drinks and foods, you should also avoid spicy foods and soda. On the first day after tattooing, all liquids should be drunk through a straw.

With proper care, complete healing of the lips occurs within 3-4 weeks.

Lip tattoo correction

More than half of the success of the procedure depends on the qualifications of the specialist. Only a professional will be able to choose the colors of the pigment and apply it so that the result of the procedure looks natural and transforms the client’s appearance. Lack of experience can negatively affect the result. In addition, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to aftercare. This is the time when the crust is formed, the skin is restored and the final distribution of the dye occurs. Failure to follow the care rules can negatively affect the result of the procedure and lead to more than one correction. This is precisely what justifies the need to carefully select a salon and artist for permanent tattooing and lip correction.

The following reasons for tattoo correction are distinguished:

Existing features in the client’s metabolism. There are two options for the development of events: the body does not respond to the injected dye or actively fights it. Although this is considered a natural reaction, it affects everyone differently. It happens that during the healing of the lips, up to 80% of the pigment is removed, regardless of the quality of the dye and the qualifications of the artist. In such a situation, correction is necessary to restore color.
Differences in skin types. So, on dry skin, tattooing lasts a long time, while on oily skin, the pigment may spread and be removed.
Failure to follow recommendations for care after tattooing. Breaking the rules often leads to disastrous results. It happens that clients do not wait for the scab to heal naturally and remove it themselves, without using healing ointments. Excessive use of skincare products is also harmful. This contributes to the greenhouse effect.
Errors in the work of the master. The possibility of mistakes exists even among a highly qualified specialist. During operation, a blot may form or, conversely, a small omission may occur. Jewelry precision and well-developed skill in introducing pigment into the subcutaneous layer are necessary conditions for micropigmentation.
Late correction. The removal of the coloring pigment usually occurs after two to three years. After this time, the lips acquire their natural shade. To maintain the result, it is necessary to make an annual correction.

The first correction is necessary approximately 4 weeks after tattooing. During this period, complete healing of the skin occurs, and the pigment is finally distributed. With a slow metabolism, it may take longer to recover - up to one and a half months.

Your skin may be too active in removing pigment, and then the colors begin to fade rapidly. This situation necessitates correction after two to three months. This will help consolidate the result and stop the dye from being removed. A later visit to a specialist will cause the need for full micropigmentation, since the dye in the skin will be almost completely absent.

Tattoo correction should be performed by the artist you contacted initially. He will be able to correctly select the previously used shade of pigment and perform the procedure using the same technique. The only exception is the discrepancy between the specialist’s work and the desired result. Here you have the right to choose a new salon and specialist.

Popular palettes

Using different pigment colors, the artist is able to create the desired image. The most popular shades are presented in the line of the Swiss brand “Swiss color”. Its palette contains many transitional shades, which allows you to create beautiful images, giving your appearance the necessary visual effect - naturalness, romance and sexual attractiveness.

The popular “Swiss color” line of light shades with a soft tone and matte structure of colors that are chosen for a delicate, romantic look - Ivory, Pearl, Blush, Rosa.

Popular shades for beautifully full lips, which are preferred by those who try to maintain a natural look - Tosca, Sienna, Sanset.

Current shades that organically fit into the image for a business woman - Sevilla, Paris, Tango.

Lovers of bright, sexually attractive and memorable images choose bold and rich shades - Red, Coral, Blacksberry, Valentine, Tango.

Review of pigments for permanent lips

Today, manufacturers offer a wide range of pigments for tattoo artists. But the most common are the following:

— Long-Time-Liner — pigments from a German manufacturer. Created on the basis of inorganic components. Do not float after healing;

— Amiea Derma Safe — gel dyes of German origin, retain their original color for a long time;

— Purebeau Hicon is another German pigment, it has a creamy texture, adheres well and takes root. Suitable for any skin type;

— Biotek — created in Italy, have a macromolecular shell. They guarantee a clear pattern that will last a long time;

— KP Micro Plante PMU is a pigment of American origin that does not change color after healing. It does not float when creating lines, so it is suitable for contouring permanent lips.