How Are Aquarelle Lips Done?

As with any semi permanent lip tattoo, the aquarelle lips are done by opening up the skin with an electric needle device and depositing color into it. So it’s technically a form of tattooing, but it doesn’t last forever.

The aquarelle lip tattoo uses PMU pigments rather than ink which are formulated in such a way that the body can break them down, and the color fades until it becomes invisible. This is a gradual process, so you can get up to 5 years of enhanced lips from an aquarelle lip tattoo.

The results can be prolonged by getting a color boost and replenishing the pigments.

The aquarelle lips technique implies a soft blending of color into the lips, so the color is built up in several passes to achieve the blurred, airbrushed effect. Depending on your wishes, the PMU artist will saturate different areas of the lips more or less.

The results are less opaque than with full lip color, so it won’t completely hide the texture of your lips, but rather enhance them. Clever shading can give the illusion of fuller lips and make their shape look more symmetrical.

NOTE: Lips don’t retain pigments as well as the rest of the skin, so a touch up session might be necessary if you want an intense color. It’s done 6-8 weeks after the initial session, once the lips heal completely.

Does the Aquarelle Lip Tattoo Hurt?

The treatment doesn’t really hurt, but it is a bit uncomfortable.

Before the tattooing starts, your lips are covered with a numbing cream that should eliminate any pain. You will, however, feel pressure and a scratching-like sensation. After all, the skin of your lips is pierced over and over again, albeit with a very thin needle.

If you start feeling pain at any point during the procedure, you can ask your artist to add more numbing.

What you should know, though, is that the aquarelle lips healing process entails some discomfort.

How Long Does Aquarelle Lip Blush Last?

The longevity of your semi permanent lip tattoo depends on many factors, like the oiliness of your skin, your lifestyle, and the overall properties of your system. But the average aquarelle lip tattoo longevity is from 2 to 5 years.

Frequent sunlight exposure and activities like swimming in the ocean can accelerate pigment fading.

The color can be refreshed at any moment with a quick color boost touch up.

Who Is the Treatment For?

Aquarelle lip blush can enhance anyone’s appearance, but it’s most popular among people whose lips are pale and they wear some sort of lip makeup often. It can give a very subtle look that matches anyone’s style.

There are, however, some contraindications:

  • Diabetes

  • Psoriasis, Rosacea, or similar skin conditions in or near the treated area

  • Auto-immune diseases

  • Bleeding disorders

  • Anemia (pigment may not be retained properly)

  • A history of keloid or hypertrophic scarring

  • Ongoing chemotherapy

  • Ongoing blood thinners therapy

  • Pregnant or nursing women

*If you’ve ever had cold sores or herpes, you’ll need to take antiviral medication before and after the aquarelle lip treatment. The tattooing process can cause a cold sore flareup, and that could disrupt proper healing. Consult your doctor!

What’s the Aquarelle Lips Healing Process Like?

Although permanent makeup is generally quite non-invasive, as it only treats the superficial layer of the skin, it still implies some trauma. Countless tiny little micro-wounds are made on the skin to implement the pigments inside.

The skin needs to recover from the tattooing and that brings about several stages it will have to go through.

DAY 1

The immediate side-effects of the treatment include swelling and tenderness. Your lips can swell up to double their size, but this is nothing to worry about. You may feel a bit silly for 24-48 hours, but they’ll go down soon.

Once the numbing cream stops working, you may feel some pain for a few hours, but nothing a mild painkiller won’t solve.

DAYS 2-10

The next few days are marked by dryness and itching, and then peeling. Your lips will form a scab film, which will then peel off, and once it does, your lovely enhanced lips are revealed.

In order to allow your lips to heal properly, you have to follow an aquarelle lips aftercare routine of regular cleaning and moisturizing. Luckily, it’s all over within 10 days.

PIGMENT COLOR STABILIZATION

It’s important to note that the pigment color intensity changes as your lips heal. They’ll look very dark in the first 48 hours, then they’ll look too light. The true color is only revealed about 3 weeks after the treatment, and it’s 40-50% lighter at that point. If you want to go darker, you can book a touch up session.