Despite using some of the most vibrant colors around, all tattoo ink eventually fades as your dermis and epidermis heal. The same is true of tattoos done on, around, or inside the lip area. Tattoos done inside the mouth fade the quickest because they're always in contact with saliva, food, and drinks.
In some cases, the tattoo might fade away entirely after just a few months. Lipstick or lip liner tattoos won't completely fade away like inner lip tattoos, but the color on them does fade with time, as your lips produce new skin cells and older cells slough off.
Sun exposure will make the color fade faster. A lip balm with SPF applied daily on tattooed area is needed to help keep the color true.
Not only are the cells within the mouth very quick to regenerate, but the mouth is full of chemicals and acids. The acids that are present in the mouth break down the ink of the tattoo faster, causing it to fade.
The lip is a popular choice for tattoos, but it's not as permanent as other parts of your skin. While tattoos are typically considered to last forever, lip tattoos tend to last only one to five years. This is due to the rapid turnover of cells in the lip area, which sheds the ink quickly.
Avoid: Sun, sweat, steam, and swimming for 48 hours, ideally 7 days. Avoid:Kissing, eating spicy foods, drinking hot drinks or applying ice directly to your lips.
Your lips can take a few weeks to heal, and will be dry during this time. Applying lip balm regularly is the best way to remedy this, and is a good habit to develop to protect your lips in the long run. The exact healing time varies between clients, but age is the biggest factor that can prolong the process.
Generally, there's no need for Vaseline on a new tattoo whatsoever. Once your bandages are off, you'll want to stay away from Vaseline during the healing process, too. You may be able to use Vaseline on a newer tattoo only after it's completely healed.
Keep lips moist with Vaseline or Aquaphor for the first 5 days. Use lip balm/moisturizer for the remainder of the healing period (typically 14-21 days).
Avoid facials, swimming and or hot tubs for at least five days. 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).
How Long Do Lip Tattoos Last on Average? For most people, lip tattoos last about 2 years without additional touch ups. What is this? There are cases where they fade after about a year, as well as those whose lip tattoo lasts up to 5 years.
No kissing, rubbing or friction on your newly tattooed lips until after 10 days or you may lose pigment. Lips may be dry for 3 to 6 months depending on the body reaction.
An Inner Lip Tattoo Fades Pretty Quickly
“The abbreviated longevity compared to tattoos on external skin is due to the rapid turnover of skin cells in the [lining of your mouth,] which means that the ink sheds more quickly,” says Dr.
Don't worry, this is completely natural. It happens because the old skin, damaged during the tattooing process, forms a thin layer over your tattoo and masks its true appearance. In time this old skin will naturally exfoliate itself, revealing your tattoo underneath in all its vibrant glory.
Skin Elasticity
"The main cause of a tattoo fading is actually the skin over the tattoo," Eric Graham, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Sentient Lasers, tells Bustle. "As time goes on, the skin changes — the skin sags and the body creates new skin causing warping and fading over the tattoo.
Though it's best known as a moisturizer for dry skin, Aquaphor is also commonly used as a safe and effective part of tattoo aftercare.
Despite using some of the most vibrant colors around, all tattoo ink eventually fades as your dermis and epidermis heal. The same is true of tattoos done on, around, or inside the lip area. Tattoos done inside the mouth fade the quickest because they're always in contact with saliva, food, and drinks.
If your lip tattoo gets wet, gently pat the area dry using a clean tissue. Some itching is normal. DO NOT PICK, PEEL OR RUB your lips as the colour may heal unevenly and you could risk infection, which in turn could lead to scarring. Allow the colour to flake away by itself.
use Chapstick, lip-gloss or lip balm with sun block over the tattooed area to preserve color. The continued use of at least SPF 30 sunblock with UVA and UVB protection will help to prevent fading.
Using Aquaphor for tattoo aftercare, poses a risk of damaging your tattoo by causing premature fading. It has also been found that petrolatum and mineral oil can pull fresh tattoo ink from the skin. Again, another reason to avoid products that contain petrolatum and or mineral oil ingredients.
FOR LIPS ONLY: Use Aquaphor to keep the tattoo protected while it heals and to soothe any discomfort such as itching or dryness. Avoid applying lip balms, lipstick, or other lip products during this time. Apply Aquaphor every 30-60 minutes for the first week to keep lips from drying out.
Right after the procedure clean the lips with damp cotton (clean bottled water) every 30 min until bedtime. Before sleep if the lips still has some dry lymph then wash with lukewarm water gently removing the dry lymph, pat dry and apply Aquaphor Healing Ointment (you can find it in any grocery store, kids section).
Immediately following your procedure, blot the area with a clean wet cotton pad every 1-2 hours for the remainder of the day. Then immediately apply a thin layer of Aquaphor before bed. Sometimes the lips will bruise even after the procedure.
Healing can take on average 5-7 days but will vary depending on each individual, some will heal quicker than others. Do not be concerned and be patient as this is all part of the healing process. Lips will be vibrant, brighter and thicker. Some clients may experience redness, bruising and swelling at the treated area.