If you've recently gotten lip blush in San Diego, you may be wondering how long you have to wait before applying your favorite lipsticks again. Lip blush, also known as lip tattooing or permanent makeup, is a cosmetic tattooing procedure that deposits pigment into the lips to create a tinted, fuller look. It's a great option for San Diegans who want to wake up with perfect lips every day without having to apply makeup.

However, after getting lip blush, your lips will need some time to heal before you can resume wearing traditional lipsticks and lip products. Here's what you need to know about the healing process and how long you should wait.

The Healing Process After Lip Blush

Right after your lip blush procedure, your lips will likely appear very vibrant and the pigment may look darker than you expected. This is normal - the lips are swollen from the tattooing process. Over the next week or so, the lips will go through these healing stages:

• Days 1-3: Moderate swelling, lips feel very firm and tight. There may be some oozing or lymph fluid leaking out.
• Days 4-6: The swelling starts to subside, but lips can feel very dry, chapped, and crusty as they begin to shed the outer layers of skin.
• Days 7-10: The crusties continue flaking off as new skin begins forming underneath. Lips may look somewhat pale or faded compared to right after the blush.
• Days 10-14: Final healing, where the pigment shows its true colors and intensity once the new skin has fully resurfaced.

During this process, it's crucial not to pick or peel at any crusties, as this could pull out the pigment unevenly and ruin your results. Your San Diego lip blush artist will provide aftercare instructions to keep the area clean and let it heal properly.

How Long to Wait Before Wearing Lipstick

In general, you'll want to avoid putting anything on your lips - lipstick, chapstick, lip gloss, etc. - until they are fully healed, which takes around 10-14 days for most people. Applying products prematurely can not only disturb the healing process, but also increase risk of infection and alter how the pigment settles into the lips.

Once your lips have completed the peeling/flaking stage and feel smooth and supple again, you're clear to start wearing lipstick! However, it's recommended to use brand new lipstick tubes/bullets, as your old lipsticks may have bacteria or other contaminants that could lead to infection in the newly tattooed area.

For the first few weeks after healing, you'll also want to avoid any long-wearing or matte lipstick formulas, as they tend to be more drying on the lips. Stick to hydrating formulas while the lip blush settles in.

The vibrant results from your lip blush should last one to three years in San Diego with proper aftercare and periodic touch-up appointments. So after that short healing period, you'll be able to get back to all your favorite lip looks - while always having a permanent pout underneath!