LIP PMU Guide

Avoid resurfacing treatments, including microdermabrasion, microneedling, laser peels, chemical peels, within 4 weeks before/after your procedure. Gentle or hydrating facials are fine, just make sure your estitician knows you have fresh permanent makeup.

No spray tans on the face (professional or at home) 72 hours beofer the appointment.

No electorlysis treatments 5 days before the appointment.

You must be off accutane for at least 6 months before undergoing this procedure.

Scarring on your lips will be resistant to pigment implantation and retention. If you have any scarring on your lips, please book a consultation to determine if the service is right for you. 

No tanning or long periods of sun exposure for at least 30 days after your appointment. An SPF Lip balm should be used after flaking is complete, in addition to a hat when going outside. Make sure to book your appointment away from any sunny vacations. 

This procedure may be done as early as 8 weeks post-partum, however not while pregnant. 

If breastfeeding, you will need to “pump and dump” for the 24 hours after the procedure, so make sure your baby will take a bottle and have baby food ready for that time. This is due to the numbing used that we don’t want passed to the baby.

Active conditions such as cold sores, cystic acne, eczema, swelling, sun burn, abraisons, inflamation or rashes must heal before doing this service. If you come to your appointment with any lip health issues you will be sent home and your deposit forfeited. 

Although having a history of cold sores does not mean you cannot get this service, it does make it very likely you will get a flare up from the procedure. 

I reccomend you take Valtrex (Valacyclovir)  3-4 days before the appointment and 3-5 days after to help prevent a breakout or if one occures- help it heal. Results should not be very affected. 

Alcohol is used to clean the area. Lidocane and other anesthetics are used during the procedure. Some pigments have trace amounts of nickle.

Must not be on antibiotics at the time of the service: minimum 2 weeks off before the procedure. 

Must not be undergoing any cancer treatment. You should be in remission for 6 months before booking this service.

For insurance purposes, this service cannot be done on minors. 

Swelling will go down and lips will look darker as they oxidize. Some people may notice peeling begin. Keep applying ointment.

Lips will be dark where peeling has not yet come off. Areas that have peeled will look light and may have a milky hue to them. Keep applying ointment.

Peeling will continue. Keep applying ointment.

Peeling should complete by the end of the day. You may apply makeup over the area and return to your normal routine. The surface skin has only freshly healed, but not the deeper levels. The colour is not what it will be once fully healed at 6-8 weeks (pale lips) or 12 weeks (melanin lips).

Pale Lip Clients: Uneveness is normal, as skin texture throughout the lip varries, let it fully heal and don’t be concerned about darker spots around the lip line – this fades as it heals.

Melanin Lip Clients: Your lips likely are experiencing hyper or hypopigmentation. The melanin has been triggered through the trauma of the procedure, similar to any wound on your body, it gets darker before returning to normal. Once it fully heals, the pigment implanted will become visible.

Moisturize as often as possible with the provided ointment only. This is a non-petroleum healing ointment, do not use vaseline. If you loose it, you can use castor oil.

Do not apply the oitnment when your lips are wet, only when dry.

Do not expose your tattoo to UV rays or tanning beds for 30 days after the procedure. This can alter the appearance of your tattoo dramatically.

Wear a hat. Use a strong SPF lip balm once falking has completed. Avoid mid-day sun.

This is expecially important for Melanin Lip clients – hyperpigmentation from UV exposure is something you will want to be hyper vigilant about.

Lip Blush is generally very well tolerated. Once your lip shape has been mapped and approved, a 5% lidocaine numbing solution is applied for approximately 20 minutes before the procedure begins.

Throughout the treatment, your artist will continue to apply a secondary numbing solution as needed to keep you comfortable.

Most clients experience minimal discomfort and remain quite comfortable throughout the service — some even fall asleep. Sensitivity varies from person to person, so you may still feel some pressure, vibration or mild tenderness during the procedure.

The initial healing stage is typically complete within about 5 days, once the lips have finished flaking. However, the lips continue healing beneath the surface, and it can take 8–12 weeks for the final healed colour to fully develop.

For clients undergoing Lip Neutralization, particularly those with more melanin naturally present in the lips, the full 12 weeks should be allowed before assessing the healed colour or determining the next step.

Review the full Aftercare Guide here:
https://opiabrowsandbeauty.com/lip-pmu-guide/

Lip Blush is semi-permanent and gradually fades over time. How long your results remain visible depends on several factors, including the amount of pigment implanted, your desired level of saturation, aftercare, lifestyle and the overall condition and hydration of your lips.

A soft, lightly saturated “just a tint” result will typically fade faster than a more saturated or defined result.

Long-term lip care also makes a difference. Keeping your lips hydrated and protected from the sun can help preserve your colour, while frequently dry, cracked or peeling lips may cause the pigment to fade more quickly.

Most clients can expect their Lip Blush to remain visible for approximately 2–3 years, with a refresh performed as needed to maintain their desired colour and definition.

The number of sessions needed depends on your natural lip tone, colour goals and how your lips retain pigment.

Clients starting with pale or naturally even-toned lips may achieve their desired result in just one session.

Clients with more melanin, darker pigmentation or uneven lip tone will often require 2 or more sessions to gradually neutralize and build toward the desired colour.

Because every client heals and retains pigment differently, additional sessions are determined only after the lips have fully healed and the colour has settled.

Lip Blush is generally well tolerated, but as with any cosmetic tattoo procedure, there are potential risks and side effects.

Temporary swelling and tenderness are common immediately following the procedure and typically improve significantly within the first 24 hours. Other potential risks include:

• Infection during the healing period if proper aftercare is not followed
• Cold sore flare-ups, particularly in clients with a history of cold sores
• Temporary or prolonged dryness, sensitivity or irritation after peeling
• Allergic or sensitivity reactions to pigment or products used during the procedure
• Uneven pigment retention, colour changes or the need for additional sessions
• Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, particularly during Lip Neutralization and in lips with more melanin
• Rarely, scarring or prolonged healing

Following all pre-care and aftercare instructions and fully disclosing relevant medical history, medications and previous reactions helps minimize these risks.

If you have ever had a cold sore, Lip Blush can trigger a new outbreak because the procedure creates controlled trauma to the lip tissue. A history of cold sores does not prevent you from having Lip Blush, but an outbreak can make healing more difficult and may affect pigment retention.

If you have a history of cold sores, it is strongly recommended that you speak with your physician or pharmacist before your appointment about preventative antiviral medication. This is typically started before the procedure and continued afterward according to their instructions.

Lip Blush cannot be performed during an active cold sore outbreak. If you develop a cold sore before your appointment, please contact OPIA as soon as possible so your appointment can be rescheduled.

Even with preventative medication, an outbreak is still possible, so it's important to disclose any history of cold sores on your intake form.

Possibly! If you have previous permanent makeup on your lips, the existing pigment must be assessed before a new treatment can be performed.

Please schedule an in-person consultation so your artist can assess the remaining colour, saturation, undertone and overall condition of the previous work and determine what options are appropriate.

Depending on what remains, we may be able to refresh, adjust or work over the existing pigment, or you may be advised to allow it to fade further before proceeding.

Can I Get Lip Blush If I Have Dry or Cracked Lips?

Lip Blush can only be performed on healthy, smooth and well-hydrated lips. If your lips are dry, cracked, peeling or irritated, they will need to be restored to a healthy condition before treatment.

For at least one week before your appointment, we recommend the following morning and evening:

1. Apply hyaluronic acid serum to damp lips.
2. Immediately seal it in with a layer of Vaseline or another plain occlusive.

Drinking adequate water, maintaining good electrolyte intake and limiting excessive caffeine may also help support hydration.

Anecdotally, some clients have also noticed an improvement in lip hydration after adding approximately 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil to their daily diet for a few weeks before treatment. This isn't a required part of pre-care or a guaranteed treatment for dry lips, but may be a helpful addition.

If you regularly experience chronically dry or cracked lips, begin your hydration routine well before booking and see how your lips respond. Your lips must be healthy, intact and free from cracking or active peeling when you arrive for your appointment; otherwise, the service may need to be postponed.

Your Lip Blush colour is customized specifically for you. OPIA has a wide range of pigments that can be mixed and adjusted based on your natural lip tone, skin tone, undertones and desired result.

If you have a few favourite lipsticks, liners, glosses or other lip products, bring them to your appointment. Seeing colours you already love — especially how they look against your natural lips — gives your artist a great reference for the direction you'd like to go.

Keep in mind that the pigment you see mixed at your appointment is not an exact representation of your final healed colour. During healing, the pigment will soften, fade and blend with your natural lip tone, creating a much more subtle and integrated result.

For Lip Neutralization, colour selection is also based on the natural undertones present in your lips. Your first session may focus primarily on neutralizing unwanted tones before your desired target colour can be built in subsequent sessions.

It's completely normal to feel surprised by the colour immediately after your appointment. Fresh Lip Blush is not an accurate representation of your healed result.

On naturally pale lips, the colour may initially appear much brighter, redder or more intense than expected. With Lip Neutralization, the lips may initially appear quite orange or warm — this is intentional and part of the neutralization process.

As your lips heal, the colour will fade, soften and continue changing significantly. Even once the visible peeling is complete, your colour is not finished healing.

It's also common during healing for:

• Pale lips to temporarily appear brighter or pinker than expected
• Neutralized lips to look as though very little pigment remains
• Colour to appear uneven or change from week to week

Please don't judge your final colour during these stages. Lip Blush takes approximately 8–12 weeks to fully heal and reveal its true colour, with the full 12 weeks particularly important for Lip Neutralization.

Be patient and allow the entire healing process to take place before deciding how you feel about the colour. Once fully healed, we can accurately assess the result and determine whether any adjustments or additional pigment are needed.

Review the LIP PMU Guide below

https://opiabrowsandbeauty.com/lip-pmu-guide/

Your full Lip Blush aftercare will be explained during your appointment. You can also review the online Lip Blush Aftercare Guide at any time for detailed healing instructions and what to expect throughout the process.

A brief overview:

FIRST DAY — CLEANSE & PROTECT

For the remainder of your appointment day, gently cleanse your lips approximately every hour and reapply the provided healing ointment.

DAYS 2–5 — KEEP THEM MOISTURIZED

Continue applying your healing ointment regularly throughout the day while your lips are peeling and flaking.

DO NOT PICK OR PEEL

Allow all flaking skin to come away naturally. Do not pick, peel or pull at your lips, as this can disrupt healing and pigment retention.

AVOID SWEAT, HEAT & WATER EXPOSURE

For the first 5 days, avoid exercise and excessive sweating, saunas and steam rooms, hot tubs, very hot baths/showers, and swimming.

PROTECT YOUR LIPS FROM THE SUN

Avoid tanning and prolonged UV/sun exposure for 30 days. Protect your lips with physical shade during initial healing and an SPF lip balm once appropriate.

PLAN AROUND DAYS 3–5

The most noticeable flaking typically occurs around days 3–5, so it's a good idea to schedule your appointment away from important events or occasions during this time.

Remember, although the visible healing happens quickly, your colour will continue developing and changing for 8–12 weeks.

For complete instructions, please review the online Lip Blush Aftercare Guide.

LIP BLUSH PRE-CARE

Please arrive at your appointment with smooth, healthy and well-hydrated lips. Dry, cracked, irritated or compromised lips can affect how the skin accepts pigment and may prevent the service from being performed.

In the days leading up to your appointment, keep your lips well moisturized and stay hydrated. Gently exfoliate as needed to remove dry, flaky skin, but avoid aggressive exfoliation or anything that leaves the lips irritated.

24 HOURS BEFORE — LIMIT CAFFEINE

Avoid excess caffeine for 24 hours before your appointment. One regular cup of coffee or tea in the morning is fine, but please avoid additional caffeine, including coffee, energy drinks, caffeinated sodas, teas and supplements.

48 HOURS BEFORE — NO ALCOHOL

Avoid all alcohol for at least 48 hours before your appointment.

72 HOURS BEFORE — AVOID BLOOD-THINNING SUPPLEMENTS & MEDICATIONS

Avoid non-essential blood-thinning medications and supplements for at least 72 hours before your appointment, including:

• Ibuprofen/Advil and aspirin
• Fish oil supplements
• Vitamin E supplements
• Niacin
• Curcumin

Tylenol/acetaminophen is OK. Never discontinue a prescribed medication or medically necessary blood thinner for your appointment without approval from your healthcare provider.

If you have a history of cold sores, Lip Blush can trigger an outbreak. Please speak with your physician or pharmacist before your appointment about starting preventative antiviral medication a few days before and a few days after the appoitnment.

Following pre-care is important for minimizing bleeding, irritation and swelling and helping the skin accept pigment properly. If your lips are excessively dry, cracked, irritated or otherwise unsuitable for treatment when you arrive, your service may need to be postponed.

Review the full LIP PMU Aftercare Guide here:
https://opiabrowsandbeauty.com/lip-pmu-guide/

Contraindications

Lip Blush may not be suitable for everyone. You must not be pregnant or breastfeeding, have used Accutane/isotretinoin within the last 6 months, be taking antibiotics or have finished them within the last 2 weeks, or have had lip filler or Botox in or around the lip area within 4 weeks before your appointment. Please also wait at least 4 weeks after Lip Blush before having filler or Botox in the area.

Other conditions or circumstances that may prevent treatment or require medical clearance, additional precautions or rescheduling include:

• Active cold sores, fever blisters or other infections on or around the lips
• Open wounds, cuts, severe cracking, irritation, sunburn or active skin conditions in the treatment area
• Recent illness, infection or fever
• Bleeding or clotting disorders, or use of prescription blood-thinning medication
• Uncontrolled diabetes or conditions that significantly affect healing
• Immunosuppression or conditions/medications that compromise the immune system
• Active cancer treatment, chemotherapy or radiation
• History of keloid or abnormal scarring
• Significant allergies or previous reactions to tattoo pigments, topical anaesthetics or related products
• Recent chemical peels, laser treatments or other intensive treatments involving the lip area
• Any medical condition, medication or treatment that may affect bleeding, healing, immune response or skin integrity

A history of cold sores does not necessarily prevent Lip Blush, but the procedure can trigger an outbreak. Clients with a history of cold sores should speak with their physician or pharmacist about appropriate antiviral prevention before their appointment.

This is not a complete list of contraindications. OPIA's booking system will take you through a detailed health and contraindication questionnaire before your appointment. Please answer all questions accurately and disclose relevant medications, medical conditions and recent treatments.

No. Fresh Lip Blush is not the healed colour. Lips usually look brighter, darker and more saturated immediately after treatment, then soften significantly as they heal. Colour continues to settle over the following weeks, with the final result assessed once the lips are fully healed. Neutralization treatments may also look intentionally warmer at first.