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Everything to know about lip blushingMedically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — By Beth Sissons on May 29, 2022Lip blushing is a permanent makeup procedure. A provider will tattoo pigment into the lips to enhance their color and appearance. Lip blushing is a cosmetic treatment involving the permanent tattooing of pigment into the lips to provide an even coloring.
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Charlotte Lee 1 minutes ago
In this article, we look at what lip blushing involves, the potential risks and side effects of lip ...
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Henry Schmidt Member
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In this article, we look at what lip blushing involves, the potential risks and side effects of lip blushing, and what to look for in a provider. What is lip blushing
Share on PinterestAlexey Dulin/EyeEm/Getty ImagesLip blushing is a form of tattoo and permanent makeup. A provider will apply colored ink to the lips to give them a deeper, natural-looking shade.
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Zoe Mueller 4 minutes ago
People may choose to undergo lip blushing for aesthetic reasons, to enhance the color or shape of th...
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Hannah Kim Member
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Friday, 09 May 2025
People may choose to undergo lip blushing for aesthetic reasons, to enhance the color or shape of the lips, or to provide a more even coloring without the need for temporary lip makeup. What does the lip blushing procedure involve
A tattoo artist or aesthetician may provide lip blushing services. People may first consult with a provider to discuss what the procedure and aftercare will involve and what results the person is looking for.
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Andrew Wilson Member
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The entire process may take 2–3 hours, as it may involve before and after photos, discussion of final coloring, numbing time, the procedure, and aftercare instructions. During the procedure, a provider may apply a topical anesthetic to numb the lips.
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Amelia Singh 3 minutes ago
This may take up to 30 minutes to take effect. A provider will then tattoo the pigment into the lips...
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Christopher Lee 6 minutes ago
After the procedure, a provider will explain the aftercare instructions and provide any necessary he...
This may take up to 30 minutes to take effect. A provider will then tattoo the pigment into the lips with a sterile needle. Providers may use a tattoo coil machine, pen, rotary device, or handheld device.
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James Smith Moderator
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After the procedure, a provider will explain the aftercare instructions and provide any necessary healing products. Does it hurt
People may experience some discomfort during a lip blushing procedure. The level of discomfort may vary depending on how each individual feels pain.
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Sofia Garcia Member
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To minimize pain, a provider may apply a topical numbing cream or anesthetic to the area beforehand. Cosmetic blogs and articles also state that the pain from lip blushing is minimal and similar to a scratching or pinching sensation.
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Sophie Martin Member
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If people are experiencing any extreme pain from the procedure, they will need to communicate this with the provider. How permanent is it
According to the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP), permanent makeup is not easy to remove. The SPCP considers cosmetic tattooing, such as lip coloring, to be permanent, as it involves tattooing pigment into the skin’s upper dermal layer.
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Noah Davis 2 minutes ago
Color fading can occur over time, and if people wish to keep the coloring, they may need additional ...
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William Brown 10 minutes ago
Due to the lack of regulations and scientific research around lip blushing, there is a risk of adver...
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Noah Davis Member
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Color fading can occur over time, and if people wish to keep the coloring, they may need additional lip blushing to refresh the color. Exposure to the sun or other weather conditions may increase fading, and some topical products for the lips may also affect how long the color lasts. Potential side effects and precautions
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are many approved color additives for cosmetic use, but none have approval for intradermal injection.
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Alexander Wang Member
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Due to the lack of regulations and scientific research around lip blushing, there is a risk of adverse effects. The FDA warns of the following risks around permanent makeup and tattooing:Infection: Unsterile equipment and needles or contaminated ink may result in infection.Allergic reaction: There have been reports of allergic reactions to some shades of ink in permanent makeup. This may be problematic, as the ink can be difficult to remove.Granulomas: Granulomas are small areas of inflammation that occur when the body perceives a substance, such as tattoo ink, as foreign.Keloids: Keloids are raised scars that can form in response to any injury to the skin.
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Ella Rodriguez 9 minutes ago
However, keloids are more likely to occur from tattoo removal than from a procedure such as lip blus...
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Brandon Kumar 15 minutes ago
It may also be difficult to remove or reverse a lip blushing treatment. If people have cold sores on...
However, keloids are more likely to occur from tattoo removal than from a procedure such as lip blushing.MRI complications: Some pigments in permanent makeup may react with the magnets in MRI scans. People with permanent makeup may experience swelling or burning of the area if they have an MRI scan. This is usually a rare and temporary occurrence, but people with lip blushing should inform their doctor or radiologist before having an MRI.
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Andrew Wilson 34 minutes ago
It may also be difficult to remove or reverse a lip blushing treatment. If people have cold sores on...
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Lily Watson Moderator
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Friday, 09 May 2025
It may also be difficult to remove or reverse a lip blushing treatment. If people have cold sores on the lips, they may need to take an antiviral medication before having the procedure. Results
Immediately after a lip blushing procedure, the lips will appear darker in color.
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Madison Singh 6 minutes ago
As the lips heal, the color will lighten and soften to the shade a person chose. It may take up to 6...
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Audrey Mueller 18 minutes ago
Healing and aftercare
According to the SPCP, people may experience some mild swelling after a lip bl...
As the lips heal, the color will lighten and soften to the shade a person chose. It may take up to 6 weeks for the lips to change into the final coloring.
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William Brown Member
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Healing and aftercare
According to the SPCP, people may experience some mild swelling after a lip blushing procedure. Some people may also experience minor bleeding or bruising. This may occur if the skin of the lips is thinner and closer to the vascular system.
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Dylan Patel Member
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Friday, 09 May 2025
If people have bruising, it will usually lessen within a few days. The lips may also feel tender for a few days following the procedure. People will see a much darker coloring of the lips for around 6–10 days before it fades to the intended color.
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Ella Rodriguez 10 minutes ago
People will need to follow specific aftercare advice from their provider. This may include using a p...
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How to find a qualified provider
Although the FDA investigates any reports of safety issues in cosme...
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Mason Rodriguez Member
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Friday, 09 May 2025
People will need to follow specific aftercare advice from their provider. This may include using a protective lip balm, as people may experience some dryness. The healing process will usually take around 4–6 weeks after the procedure, and people may have a follow-up appointment so their provider can take a final photo of the healed procedure.
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How to find a qualified provider
Although the FDA investigates any reports of safety issues in cosme...
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Lily Watson 55 minutes ago
People will often need to judge for themselves the quality and safety of a lip blushing provider. To...
How to find a qualified provider
Although the FDA investigates any reports of safety issues in cosmetic treatments, there are currently no regulations on tattooing and permanent makeup procedures. This means that regulation is down to the state or local authorities. Safety, hygiene, and other practices may vary widely among providers.
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People will often need to judge for themselves the quality and safety of a lip blushing provider. To...
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Aria Nguyen 7 minutes ago
Prices may vary due to location, a provider’s overhead expenses, and any ongoing training costs. S...
People will often need to judge for themselves the quality and safety of a lip blushing provider. To find a qualified and experienced provider, people can look for the following:evidence of training, qualifications, experience, and certificationa background in and familiarity with performing lip blushing proceduresa portfolio of before and after photos, particularly showcasing people with a similar skin or lip tonea knowledge of skin undertones and color theory and an understanding of the lip color and appearance their client wantsa willingness to thoroughly explain the procedure, possible side effects, and aftercare with a client, and comfort in answering questions in detailsterile equipment with new and sterile needles, which a provider opens in the presence of a client, as well as disposable one-time-use inks or pigmentsthe use of sterile, disposable gloves and a clean and neat work station, with a disposable chair or bed covering
Costs
According to anecdotal sources and service providers, lip blushing may cost between $500 and $1,500 or more. A 2015 report from the SPCP found the average cost for full lip coloring was $579, but costs may have changed since then.
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Prices may vary due to location, a provider’s overhead expenses, and any ongoing training costs. S...
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A provider will tattoo pigment into the lips to provide an even coloring. Lip coloring will usually ...
Prices may vary due to location, a provider’s overhead expenses, and any ongoing training costs. Summary
Lip blushing is a cosmetic procedure that applies permanent coloring to the lips.
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William Brown 13 minutes ago
A provider will tattoo pigment into the lips to provide an even coloring. Lip coloring will usually ...
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Noah Davis 24 minutes ago
The FDA does not regulate cosmetic treatments such as lip blushing, so people will need to check tha...
A provider will tattoo pigment into the lips to provide an even coloring. Lip coloring will usually be darker immediately following a procedure, before the lips heal and the color fades to the intended shade.
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The FDA does not regulate cosmetic treatments such as lip blushing, so people will need to check tha...
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We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each...
The FDA does not regulate cosmetic treatments such as lip blushing, so people will need to check that their provider uses sterile equipment and has appropriate training and experience. Last medically reviewed on May 29, 2022DermatologyCosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgerypiercingandtattoos 8 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
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We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each...
We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Choosing a permanent cosmetic artist based on price.
(n.d.).https://www.spcp.org/thinking-of-getting-a-cosmetic-tattoo/permanent-makeup-faq/Tattoos and permanent make-up. (2018).https://www.fda.gov/consumers/free-publications-women/tattoos-and-permanent-makeTattoos & permanent makeup: Fact sheet.
(2022).https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/tattoos-permanent-makeup-fact-sheetThink before you ink: Are tattoos safe? (2017).https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/think-you-ink-are-tattoos-safeWhat should I expect? (n.d.).https://www.spcp.org/thinking-of-getting-a-cosmetic-tattoo/permanent-makeup-faq/what-should-i-expect/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — By Beth Sissons on May 29, 2022
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