Inner Lip Tattoos became incredibly popular around a decade ago, capturing the attention of those seeking a discreet yet edgy form of self-expression. While the initial hype might have subsided, interest in lip tattoos, in general, remains strong. Whether you’re considering an inner lip design or exploring other lip tattoo options, understanding the specifics is crucial.
Many early adopters of inner lip tattoos have seen their ink fade significantly or disappear entirely, not due to removal efforts, but because of their unique nature. Lip tattoos, especially those inside the lip, have a considerably shorter lifespan than tattoos on other body parts.
Before you book your appointment for a lip tattoo, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision and ensure you have realistic expectations.
How Long Do Lip Tattoos Last? The Truth About Longevity
The longevity of any tattoo is influenced by various factors, with common concerns being skin hydration and sun exposure, which can lead to tattoo fading. While the inside of the mouth is perpetually moist and shielded from the sun, you might assume inner lip tattoos would be exceptionally long-lasting. However, the opposite is true, and this principle generally applies to all lip tattoos to varying degrees depending on placement.
The skin inside your mouth and on your lips is designed for rapid regeneration. It constantly renews itself to combat the erosion from food acids and sugars. This rapid cell turnover in the oral tissue means that inner lip tattoos typically last for a maximum of five years. Many individuals notice noticeable fading within just one year. In some cases, inner lip tattoos can almost completely vanish over time, behaving more like semi-permanent makeup than traditional tattoos.
Inner Lip Tattoo
Cautious aftercare during the initial healing phase can give your lip tattoo the best possible start. By being mindful of oral hygiene and dietary choices post-tattoo, you might slightly extend its lifespan, but the temporary nature is inherent to lip tattoos.
Lip Tattoo Healing: What to Expect and How to Speed it Up
Moisture is a key factor in wound healing, including tattoos. For tattoos on external skin, keeping the area moist is recommended to accelerate healing. Fortunately, the inside of your mouth provides a naturally moist environment. This allows inner lip tattoos to heal remarkably quickly, sometimes within just two weeks, as there’s no risk of the tattoo drying out. The healing time for lip tattoos on the outer lip might vary slightly but generally remains faster than for tattoos in less moist areas.
This two-week healing period represents the ideal scenario and isn’t always guaranteed. Neglecting proper aftercare can hinder the healing process or even cause damage to your lip tattoo. To ensure a swift recovery, adhering to recommended aftercare practices is essential.
Essential Aftercare Tips for Lip Tattoos
To maximize healing and the lifespan of your lip tattoo, consider these crucial aftercare tips:
Tip 1: Diet Matters – Choose Your Food Wisely
Being mindful of your diet is always beneficial, but it’s particularly critical when you have a fresh lip tattoo. Remember the sting of lemon juice on a paper cut? Imagine that sensation on a fresh tattoo inside your mouth. Ouch.
Acidic and spicy foods, like citrus fruits, spicy dishes, and tomato-based sauces, can irritate your healing lip tattoo. This irritation can not only be painful but also damage the tattoo pigment and prolong the healing process. It’s best to abstain from these types of foods for a few weeks following your tattoo session.
Tip 2: Avoid Smoking and Vaping
While we respect personal choices regarding smoking and vaping, it’s important to understand their impact on a healing lip tattoo. The chemicals and heat from smoke and vapor can irritate the sensitive tattoo area and impede healing.
Consider alternative methods of consumption, if applicable, during the healing period to minimize risks and promote optimal tattoo recovery.
Tip 3: Hold Off on Kissing and Intimate Contact
Intimate human contact often involves the exchange of bodily fluids, including kissing. However, bodily fluids carry germs. Kissing and other intimate mouth-related activities can introduce bacteria to your fresh lip tattoo and put pressure on the tattooed lip area.
Inner Lip Tattoo
This combination of pressure and potential germ exposure is detrimental to healing. It’s advisable to refrain from kissing for a couple of weeks to allow your lip tattoo to heal properly without unnecessary stress or bacterial exposure.
How to Aid Lip Tattoo Healing: Mouthwash is Key
While standard tattoo aftercare kits designed for external skin tattoos aren’t suitable for lip tattoos, maintaining oral hygiene is paramount. Since lip tattoos are inside the mouth, traditional tattoo creams and ointments are not appropriate due to ingestion risks.
Your tattoo artist will likely advise you to avoid eating or drinking anything except plain water for a few hours post-tattoo. However, consistent mouthwash use is the most effective way to keep your lip tattoo clean and promote healing.
Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash that is also free of strong colors and flavorings. Alcohol-based mouthwashes can dehydrate the tattoo area, hindering healing. Strong flavors, like intense peppermint, can be irritating to a fresh tattoo.
Use the mild, alcohol-free mouthwash after every meal or drink (excluding water). Aim for about five rinses per day. Be gentle when brushing your teeth, taking care to avoid direct contact with the healing tattoo.
Lip Tattoos: A Temporary Statement
Lip tattoos, especially inner lip tattoos, can be a cool and unique form of self-expression. However, it’s essential to remember their temporary nature. If you desire a permanent tattoo design, choosing an area with external skin is more suitable.
If discretion is a primary concern, consider alternative, more permanent, yet easily concealable tattoo locations such as the back of the neck, behind the ear, or the inner bicep. For those areas, using a tattoo numbing cream can significantly reduce discomfort during the tattooing process.
If you decide to proceed with a lip tattoo, diligent aftercare is crucial. While the mouth provides a naturally conducive environment for healing, following your artist’s aftercare instructions will ensure the best possible outcome and potentially extend the lifespan of your lip tattoo, however, they are inherently temporary.
Sources:
Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: What It Is & Its Effect on Your Skin | Cleveland Clinic
Saliva and wound healing | PubMed
Should You Bandage a Cut or Sore or Let It Air Out? | Cleveland Clinic
