Yahoo Finance What You Need To Know About Lip Blushing - The Injectable-Free Way To Get Bigger Lips
If you remember the Nineties and Noughties, the words 'permanent make-up' might strike a bolt of fear straight into your heart. Back in those days, harsh eyeliner and dodgy lip liner tattoos might have taken the everyday work out of applying make-up, but they still had a long way to go when it came to looking natural.
Thankfully over the past ten years, semi-permanent make-up has had a make-over. Practitioners have mastered eyebrow microblading and microshading, blessing us with our best looking brows (without anyone being able to tell they weren't all our own). It was about time our lips got the same treatment. Enter: lip blushing. A cosmetic treatment that marries our love of convenience (an extra five minutes in bed = priceless) with the rising popularity of the 'no make-up make-up' look.
Intrigued? Read on to find out everything you need to know about the aesthetic treatment that's on everyone's lips.
What Is Lip Blushing?
As you might have guessed from the name, lip blushing is a semi-permanent cosmetic treatment that gives a light wash, or blush, of colour to the lips. While lip blushing does use a needle to tap colour into the top layer of the skin, the results are a world away from the hard pigments of lip tattooing from years gone by. Instead, once healed, you can expect a finish similar to that of a lip stain.
'We use small needles at a low speed to create a veil of colour. There are options to have a more "lipstick" look to the lip blush and this is achieved by selecting different needle configurations and working at a higher speed,' explains founder of lip blushing clinic, Borciani London, Natasha Borciani.
Not only does this tint the lips with colour, but it makes them appear fuller and more defined.
Who Is Lip Blushing Suitable For?
When it comes to treatments, there's a reason lip blushing is becoming so popular. As well as giving a natural boost of colour to the lips, it can also help to cover loss of pigmentation, scarring, and can be a game changer for people who don't have a naturally defined border and struggle to line their lips.
'We also provide a lip neutralisation treatment for our clients with dark or pigmented lips who may want to neutralise any purple, blue or ashy tones and make the lip a more uniform colour,' says Borciani.
As much as we hope that our need for masks is on the way out, lip blushing also saves the need for reapplying your lipstick and liner every time you take your mask on and off (and to that end, it's also kiss-proof).
What Does A Lip Blushing Procedure Involve?
For anyone that's had aesthetic treatments such as botox or lip fillers before, the procedure is pretty standard. 'We would usually have a consultation or a call with the client to understand what they would like to achieve from their treatment, including shape and target colour,' explains Borciani. 'We would also provide a patch test to rule out any reactions to the pigment or anaesthetic used (it’s incredibly rare for anyone to be allergic).'
Once the medical forms are filled out and the anaesthetic is applied topically to the lips, it's time to get down to business.
'We pre-draw the shape of the border, making the lips as symmetrical as possible, we can only work on lip tissue and not outside the natural lip border (which is called the vermillion border) as the pigment will heal a different colour here and look very unnatural,' says Borciani.
'The outline of the lips is implanted first to make sure that the border is secure, once this is in place, we will "fill in" the remainder of the lips and anaesthetic will be applied continuously throughout the procedure to keep you comfortable. I will usually make 2-3 passes on the lips until there is an even coverage of pigment.'
After your first appointment you'll then need to go back for a second 'control' session, where any pigment that has been lost in the healing process (this happens for everyone and can be anywhere from 30-80%) is topped up.
How Long Does Lip Blushing Take To Heal?
As with most aesthetic procedures available now, if you can get it done, there's probably a TikTok video chronicling it. Many of the videos on lip blushing do a good job of showing a visual diary of the healing process and how your lips change throughout the following week.
'The downtime is fairly minimal,' assures Borgiani. 'Your lips will be a little brighter for the first couple of days and you will experience some flaking as the lips heal – usually around days 3-5, but using a balm (check with your practitioner about what you can use) will keep you comfortable during this time.'
How Long Does Lip Blushing Last?
As lip blushing is actually a tattoo, the longevity is going to be considerably longer than that of say, lip fillers, making it preferable for people who like to see long-term results with minimal upkeep. According to Borgiani, lip blush can last anywhere between 3-6 years before a refresh is needed.
How Much Does Lip Blushing Cost?
The price of lip blushing will depend on where you get it done, usually costing more if you go to a clinic in the city, but you're looking in the region of anywhere between £200-£700 for the first and second session.
How Painful Is Lip Blushing?
Realistically, if you've gotten to this point you've probably realised that this isn't going to be a completely painless procedure- we are dealing with needles here. However, Borciani assures us that thanks to the topical anaesthetic combined with the thinness of the needle, you'll hardly feel a thing.
'The process really is comfortable, the border may feel a little scratchy but once this is done you will feel very little. In fact, most clients feel surprisingly sleepy during the procedure.'
What To Look For When Finding A Lip Blushing Practitioner
Of course, even if you consider all of these things, the most important factor influencing the outcome a lip blushing session is the practitioner carrying out the treatment. To ensure you get the highest quality of care and skill, Borciani highlights the questions to consider when looking to book in:
- Don't be afraid to check credentials
Ask about the length of time they have been practising and how clinical the environment is. It is very unusual to have a doctor carry out this procedure but a Level 3 with additional training in Permanent Make-Up and Masterclasses is expected.
- It’s essential to find a practitioner who’s work you like
It sounds simple but it's crucial. For example, do not choose a practitioner that provides heavily tattooed lips if you are looking for a natural blush.
- Do your research
Reputable practitioners will have a good portfolio of before and after photos, and do make sure that they have experience working on your skin tone. The process for lip blushing is very different to lip neutralisation, for example.
- Ask as many questions as you need ahead of the treatment
You won’t be able to talk as they're working on the lips, so make sure you have a proper consultation to cover any and all questions and to see the environment. It will certainly help you to be more at ease on the day of the treatment.
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