The lip blushing treatment has been very popular in recent years and more people getting (and doing) the procedure means more and more photos of bruised lips are circulating the internet.
This tends to scare clients away from getting the tattoo, insinuating that something went wrong during the procedure. But the truth is, bruising after lip blush is totally normal!
Let’s explain why it happens, what can be done to minimize the risk, and how you can speed up the healing afterward.
Is Lip Tattoo Bruising Normal?
Yes, some bruising after a lip blush tattoo is to be expected. To explain why this happens, we first need to take a look at the anatomy of lips.
The skin covering our lips isn’t composed of the same tissue as the skin covering the rest of our faces. It’s much thinner – in fact, it only has 3-6 layers (whereas the skin surrounding it has 16).
On top of that, lips also have more glands and blood vessels which is what gives them their pinkish color. All of this makes the area more sensitive and susceptible to bruising.
The lip blushing or lip tattooing process consists of thin needles penetrating the skin of the lip repeatedly and implementing cosmetic pigments, causing trauma to the lips and to the blood vessels underneath.
This trauma can cause blood vessels to rupture, and blood to leak into the surrounding tissues, resulting in localized bleeding, which is how the bruise forms.
This may sound painful, but it’s just due to the lips’ increased sensitivity. Most people don’t even experience bruising during or after the procedure, but the susceptibility depends on a few factors.
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What Causes Bruising after a Lip Tattoo?
There are a couple of factors that can contribute to a higher chance of lip tattoo bruising. These causes include:
Needle Trauma
The most common cause is the one we already talked about – needle trauma. This is something that’s pretty unavoidable as during the tattooing process, the needle has to puncture the skin repeatedly in order for pigment to be deposited.
But sometimes this can lead to minor trauma to the blood vessels beneath the surface. This trauma can be more pronounced if the artist is a bit rougher, so it can result in some bruising and trigger an inflammatory response which leads to swelling and redness.
Artist’s Technique
The technique used by the PMU artist also plays a role in bruising.
The pressure applied by the tattoo artist’s hand during the procedure can cause temporary blood vessel damage, resulting in lip tattoo bruising and swelling in the area, which can contribute to the appearance of bruises.
A skilled artist who is mindful of pressure control can help minimize this risk, so make sure you do your research before booking the appointment.
Poor Pre-Care
Many clients don’t realize the importance of preparing for the procedure. Following proper pre-care is very important as it allows artists to work in optimal conditions.
Ignoring instructions and consuming certain medications, supplements, and substances like coffee and alcohol before the procedure can thin the blood and increase the risk of bruising.
This is why it’s advisable to stay away from such blood-thinning agents a few days before the procedure.
To learn what else you should (and shouldn’t) do before your PMU procedure, take a look at our PMU Checklist article.
Individual Susceptibility
The severity and duration of bruising can vary from person to person. Each person’s body reacts differently to trauma and the subsequent healing process.
Some individuals may naturally be more prone to bruising due to factors like genetics, skin sensitivity, and the overall health of their blood vessels, while others may experience minimal bruising that fades quickly.
But if you have any concerns about the level of bruising or if it seems excessive, it is always best to consult with your artist or a healthcare professional for an evaluation.
They can provide personalized advice and ensure that there are no complications or underlying issues causing excessive bruising.
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How to Alleviate Bruising After Lip Blush
Bruising is sometimes just a natural part of the lip blush healing process. But sometimes, it is possible to avoid some of it.
To help reduce the chances of lip blush bruising, there are a couple of things that can be done during and after the procedure.
During the tattooing process, the artist needs to watch stretch, pressure, and needle angle to ensure minimum lip tattoo bruising. But the client also needs to follow the prep instructions and avoids things like coffee or alcohol before a PMU procedure.
After the procedure, you can apply a cold compress or an ice pack can help constrict blood vessels and reduce bruising and swelling.
There are also healing ointments you can apply, that have anti-inflammatory properties and also help protect your lips and speed up the recovery process.
Following proper aftercare is crucial to ensure the best results, speed up recovery, and minimize complications. You can learn more about that here.
In Conclusion
Bruising after lip blush is a natural response to the trauma caused by the tattooing process.
Having the knowledge about what causes lip blush bruising in the first place, such as blood vessel damage and the inflammatory response, can help you alleviate and manage bruising more effectively.
If you want to minimize the lip blush bruising, you need to use proper aftercare, following the instructions provided by the PMU artist, to help minimize the risk of excessive bruising and promote faster healing.
Cover image source: Freepik
