Pre / Post Care for Lips

As a necessary precaution, if you have ever had a cold sore in your life, you will be required to take an anti-viral prescribed by your doctor (i.e. Valtrex). Cold sore outbreaks are often triggered by stress or trauma to the lips and skin and can effect the healing and results. Therefore if you are a carrier, lip blush will likely cause an outbreak if you do not take an anti-viral medication prior. The medication should be taken for a total of 5 days (2 days prior to procedure, 1 day-of, and 2 days post-procedure). There are absolutely NO exceptions to this rule! This rule holds true for every time you have any lip tattoo. Examples of antiviral medications: Zovirax, Famvir or Valtrex. You will need to contact your physician in order to obtain your prescription strength anti-viral medication. You must inform them of your decision to have permanent cosmetic tattoo applied to your lips and they will need to call your prescription in for you to pick up at your pharmacy.

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Pre Care for Lips

• If you have experienced cold sores before, be sure to begin your anti-viral medication 2 days prior to the procedure.

• Do not work out 48 hours before the procedure.

• NO alcohol, caffeine, or stimulants 48 hours before the procedure (Yes, there is caffeine in decaf coffee and tea!).

• Avoid sun and tanning one week prior to the procedure. •

Do not take Aspirin, Niacin, Vitamin E or Advil/Ibuprofen 48 hours before the procedure.

• Avoid Fish Oil, Primrose Oil, Prenatal Vitamins, Nutritional Shakes (Shakeology, etc), "Hair, Skin, Nail" supplements for a minimum of 48 hours prior to the procedure.

• Discontinue Retin-A, and Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) at least 1 week prior

• You must wait a minimum of 3 months after lip fillers and 6 weeks after touch-up. It is possible to have poor color retention in lips that have had injections within 6-12 weeks.

• Exfoliate (sugar scrub) and hydrate (Aquaphor or Vaseline) your lips the week leading up to your appointment.

• Drink plenty of fluids the week prior to your procedure. • If you have received lip implants, it is important to wait a minimum of six months after before scheduling a lip tattoo procedure, and obtain written medical clearance from your surgeon.

* Please Note: You will be more sensitive during your menstrual cycle.

POST CARE FOR LIPS

*Immediately following the procedure, lips may feel dry, chapped, tight and tender to the touch.

• If needed, complete your antiviral medication to prevent an outbreak.

• Apply ointment on lips several times a day. This should be done for at least 10 days post treatment. Do not allow lips to become dry. This may interfere with healed color. During the day if lips feel dry, apply a light layer of ointment. Make sure to dab/press onto skin, do not rub it in.

• Itching is normal, DO NOT PICK!

• No soaps, cleansing creams, or chemicals on lips. Wash your face carefully avoiding the lip area for 10 days. • Avoid hot soups, teas and hot coffee for 10 days. Drink everything through a straw until lips completely peel.

• DO NOT stretch the lips. Avoid biting into large sandwiches, etc. Cut food into tiny bites.

• Do not bite into greasy, oily, salty or spicy foods, rather cut them up and place them into your mouth.

• While eating, do not constantly wipe your lips with a napkin or keep licking your lips at this will impede the healing process. DO NOT PICK dry healing tissue or you WILL remove the pigment color!

• No lakes, streams, ponds, swimming or saunas for a minimum of 2 weeks to avoid bacterial infection.

• Before brushing your teeth, seal lips with ointment first. Put cotton balls in gum areas so toothbrush will not rub against the lips. No whitening toothpaste (during the healing process). Use a small amount of toothpaste. Take a straw with you to the bathroom to retrieve water to swish with. Do not bleach/whiten your teeth while your lips are healing (about 2 weeks). • You may apply an ice pack (which must be protected with a wet barrier film of paper toweling, towel or cloth) for 10-minute intervals for the first 48 hours. Ice may be applied every hour or so, if desired. Do not put ice directly on area.

• Do not expose the lips to direct sunlight or tanning beds for 4 weeks. This is new skin and will sunburn easily and direct sun prematurely may also cause scarring and alter pigment color.

• You may wear lipstick, lipgloss, and chapstick after 10 days when your lips are fully healed. I recommend using a new tube of lip product to reduce bacteria.

• Sleeping slightly elevated will help prevent swelling. It’s recommended to sleep on your back on a satin pillow case. If the pillowcase is not satin, you may also wrap your pillowcase at night and replace with a fresh wrap in the morning. This keeps pigment from sticking to the pillowcase at night.

• No kissing, rubbing or friction on your newly tattooed lips until after 10 days or you may lose pigment.

Expect moderate swelling, usually one to three days following the procedure. Scabbing may make the lips feel thick. Lips will fade up to 50% after the first 5 days. While healing, the tattoo will look patchy. This is due to skin regeneration and healing. Some New Clients may require multiple sessions ( at an additional cost) to achieve their desired density and shape.

The above Pre and Post-Care for lips will affect how quickly or slowly you heal. Please be aware that, poor diet, stress, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, age, general health, sleep/fatigue can affect your healing results.