Permanent lipstick can save you time and add a touch of glamour. But how often should you schedule a retouch?
Our lip blush treatment is growing in popularity. It’s a hit for busy women who take beauty seriously — they might not have a lot of time on their hands, but they want to look the part and they will accept nothing less.
Lip blush treatment (also known as permanent lipstick or lip tattoo) can also help anyone with a lack of symmetry in their lips or anyone with a lack of lip definition. Lip blush can camouflage darkness in our lips, and it can also be a lifesaver for anyone that is partially sighted or disabled, making lipstick application difficult.
Lip blush treatment works by depositing organic pigment into the dermis of the skin, thereby creating fuller, more defined lips. But how long do these benefits last? How often should you top-up your lip blush treatment? And what’s the real difference between permanent and semi-permanent lipstick? Let’s explore.
Discover: What Is Lip Blush Treatment?
The Benefits of Lip Blush Treatment
There’s a reason why so many people swear by lip blush treatment. It offers so many benefits, including:
- A beautiful, new lip colour of your choice.
- Full, natural-looking and defined lips.
- A lot of time saved — think of how long you have spent applying lipstick in the morning!
- Money saved — you’ll no longer have to spend money on lipstick.
- A perfect, smudge-free look every single day.
- A younger look — our lips tend to thin as we get older.
What’s more, lip blush treatment is long-lasting. Done right, the procedure can last for up to five years. But it’s not permanent — if anyone advertises lip blush treatment that is lifelong, you know to walk away. Let’s discuss the difference between permanent and semi-permanent lipstick and whether permanent makeup even exists.
What’s the Difference between Permanent and Semi-permanent Lipstick?
There are some makeup artists out there who refer to themselves as “permanent makeup artists”. The average person would assume that means that the effect they create will last forever — but this isn’t the case.
This isn’t to say that permanent makeup artists are being intentionally deceptive — they are being technically accurate — but they’re thinking about the application rather than the result.
With a lip blush treatment, pigment is deposited into the skin. This pigment will remain in the skin unless it is professionally removed. In this sense, the procedure is permanent. However, the pigment will fade. Ultimately, it becomes invisible to the naked eye — even though the pigment is still technically there.
Semi-permanent makeup artists consider things from the client’s perspective. They know that the pigment will fade and that one day it won’t be seen and will require a top-up. This is why they use the phrase “semi-permanent”. So, essentially, there is no difference between a semi-permanent makeup artist and a permanent makeup artist. And permanent makeup doesn’t exist. It will fade because the machine used for micro-pigmentation reaches the upper level of the dermis, which regenerates.
If you want to maintain the intensity of the colour, you’ll need to schedule another appointment.
Related: The Dos and Don’ts of Lip Blush Treatment
How Long Does Lip Blush Treatment Last?
As we mentioned, one of the benefits of lip blush treatment is that it lasts a long time! With the right aftercare and lifestyle choices, lip blush treatment can be retained for two to five years.
It’s worth pointing out, though, that you’ll need at least one follow-up session. About six to eight weeks after your treatment, you’ll be asked to come in for a follow-up, where we’ll add extra colour and fill in any gaps where the pigment is lacking. It’s after this appointment that you’ll get the results you’ve been looking for. But, after that initial follow-up, when should you book back in for a top-up?
How Often Should I Top-up My Lip Blush Treatment?
We recommend coming back to get your lips refreshed after five years — although everyone is different. If you notice your lip colour is starting to fade sooner, be sure to book an appointment earlier. It’s impossible to say exactly how long your lip blush will last, as we all have different skin types, use different skincare and live different lives. Factors such as smoking, iron deficiency, exfoliation, sun exposure and oiliness can speed up the fading process. But there’s no need to worry — the best thing to do is to make an appointment where we can discuss a plan and advise you on the best course of action. We want you to look fabulous — our reputation relies on making sure you look the best you possibly can.
