Can You Use Abreva After Lip Blushing in San Diego?

If you've recently gotten lip blushing in San Diego, you may be wondering about proper aftercare and if it's safe to use products like Abreva. Lip blushing is a semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing procedure that enhances the natural color of the lips. It's a popular treatment offered by many spas and salons throughout the San Diego area.

The simple answer is yes, you can use Abreva after lip blushing. In fact, using Abreva is actually recommended as part of the aftercare routine by many lip blushing professionals in San Diego and around the country.

What is Abreva?

Abreva is an over-the-counter (OTC) cream that contains the active ingredient docosanol. It's designed to help prevent and treat cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus. While Abreva doesn't cure cold sores, it can help shorten healing time if applied at the first sign of an outbreak.

Abreva is generally considered safe to use on the lip area, even after procedures like lip blushing. Many San Diego lip blushing artists recommend applying Abreva as a preventative measure after treatment to lower the risk of developing a cold sore.

Why Use Abreva After Lip Blushing?

The lip blushing process involves using a handheld device to implant pigment into the lips. This causes minor skin trauma and can potentially trigger a cold sore outbreak in people prone to them, especially during the healing phase.

Cold sores can negatively impact the look of fresh lip blushing results and slow down the healing process. Using Abreva can help suppress cold sore development and allow the lips to heal properly after the tattooing procedure.

Most lip blushing aftercare instructions in San Diego will recommend using Abreva regularly for the first 5-10 days after your appointment. It's best to start applying it immediately after your treatment and continue using it until the lips are fully healed.

Proper Aftercare is Essential

While Abreva is helpful, it should be used alongside other recommended aftercare steps from your San Diego lip blushing provider. This typically includes:

• Keeping the area clean and avoiding touching it unnecessarily
• Applying a proper healing ointment or balm as directed
• Avoiding certain activities like swimming that could expose the area to bacteria
• Skipping makeup application on the lips until healed
• Using a lip protectant like Aquaphor or petroleum jelly

Proper aftercare is essential for ensuring your lip blushing results look their best and last as long as possible before requiring a touch-up. Be sure to carefully follow all instructions from your San Diego technician.

If you experience excessive swelling, oozing, fever or other concerning symptoms, discontinue Abreva use and contact your provider immediately, as this could indicate an infection.