Lip tattoos can seem like a quick, easy way to enhance your pout. But when the color fades or regret sets in, you may find yourself searching for ways on how to get rid of a lip tattoo.
Luckily, with continued development of lip pigment removal methods, eliminating unwanted ink from the delicate lip area is possible.
This guide covers everything you need to know about safely removing a lip tattoo. Read on for removal options, what to expect during the process, aftercare tips, and results you can expect when clearing away pigment on your lips.
Overview of Lip Tattoo Removal Methods
There are three main procedures used for breaking down and removing stubborn lip ink:
1. Laser Removal
– Q-switched lasers use concentrated beams of light to target and shatter pigment particles. The body then flushes away the fragments over time. This is the gold standard.
2. Saline Removal
– Injecting saline solution into the lips draws out ink pigments through an osmotic response. More gentle than lasers but may require more sessions.
3. Glycolic Acid Peels
– Chemical peels with glycolic acid remove skin layers, taking embedded ink with it. Effective but must be done carefully to avoid scarring.
Combination treatments are also popular, coupling lasers and peels or lasers and saline for enhanced ink elimination in fewer sessions. An experienced technician will advise the best approach based on your specific tattoo.
What Kind of Lip Inks Are Most Challenging to Remove?
Certain types of colored lip tattoo pigments are more stubborn to break down:
– Reds – The dense carbon-based compounds in many reds resist chemical and laser breakdown.
– Purples – Wide light spectrum absorption makes some purples trickier to fully eliminate.
– Pink shades – Varying mixes of reds and whites mean each formulation responds differently.
– Fluorescents – The molecular structures of inks that glow under UV light make them especially stubborn.
– Organic pigments – Some vegetable-based naturally derived lip inks embed deeply and resist removal.
However, with repeated treatments using the right method for the ink formulation, even stubborn lip tattoo pigments can ultimately be cleared.
Also Read: How to Remove a Tattoo With Milk: Examining the Method
What To Expect During Lip Tattoo Laser Removal
Here’s an overview of what to expect during a typical lip laser removal session:
- Eye protection is put on to shield eyes from the bright laser light.
- The technician will stretch the lip taut so the laser can better reach the ink inside.
- A topical anesthetic is often applied to numb the area prior to laser pulses.
- Brief, rapid laser pulses are directed onto the tattooed lip in a dotted pattern. There is a snapping or pricking sensation.
- Immediately after, iced saline compresses are applied to soothe the treated lip area.
- The lip swells and blisters somewhat, appearing inflated. This subsides within a few days.
- Temporary whitening of the lip skin occurs as moisture evaporates after laser pulsing.
- The lip tattoo will appear slightly lighter after the first session as some ink particles are immediately shattered.
Multiple sessions are required every 4-6 weeks to fully clear all traces of lip ink.
Also Read: How to Remove Glitter Tattoos at Home: A Complete Guide
What Happens During Saline Tattoo Removal Procedures?
Saline removal is less invasive than laser but may require more sessions. Here is how it works:
- The lips are thoroughly cleaned and a topical anesthetic applied to numb them.
- Using a very fine needle, the technician injects small amounts of sterile saline solution at intervals under the skin layers of the lips.
- The solution diffuses through the treatment area, surrounding tattoo pigment particles.
- An osmotic effect occurs, where the injected solution draws pigment out of skin tissue through natural diffusion.
- The ink leeches into the solution and is gradually flushed away by the body over the following weeks.
- Lips appear swollen and inflated for 2-3 days as the fluid is slowly absorbed. No scabbing or blistering occurs.
- After a few weeks when swelling resolves, lips appear somewhat lighter in color as some pigment has diffused out.
- Repeat sessions every 4-6 weeks are needed to fully draw all ink particles out through the repeated osmotic response.
What Can I Expect During Tattoo Removal Chemical Peels?
Glycolic acid chemical peels offer the most dramatic immediate results by sloughing off ink-containing skin layers. Here’s how they work:
- The lip area is thoroughly cleaned and prepped first.
- Glycolic acid is applied to the lips and allowed to sit for several minutes.
- A tingling, burning sensation occurs as the acid penetrates the skin.
- After a few minutes, the acid solution is neutralized, stopping it from going deeper.
- Within hours, skin on and around the lips peels away, removing layers where ink particles sit.
- Lip skin is raw, swollen, and weepy for up to a week until new skin regenerates.
- Immediately after peeling, the lips appear lighter in color as tattooed dermal layers shed off.
- Healing and regeneration of new, clean skin layers happens over the following weeks.
- Several repeat sessions may be needed to fully peel away all inked layers of skin for complete removal.
Proper aftercare is critical following peels to avoid infection and scarring while skin heals.
Also Read: Does Tattoo Ink Stain Clothes? A Comprehensive Guide
Aftercare Tips for Lip Tattoo Removal
To support the treatment process and healing, it’s important to:
- Cleanse gently– Use mild non-perfumed soap twice a day. Avoid vigorous scrubbing.
- Use antibiotic ointment – Apply a thin layer of antibacterial cream to protect healing skin and prevent infection.
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water to keep new skin cells hydrated. Avoid alcohol.
- Moisturize frequently – Use fragrance-free lip balm to counter dryness and peeling.
- Avoid picking at skin – Let peeling occur naturally rather than pulling at it.
- Wear SPF 30+ – Protect healing skin from sun exposure which can cause pigmentation.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed to reduce discomfort and swelling.
How Long Does It Take to See Lip Tattoo Removal Results?
Most clients see the following gradual results over a course of treatments:
– After session 1 – Up to 25% lightening of the lips overall.
– After session 3 – About 50% of unwanted pigment is gone.
– After session 5 – Only very light remnants of color remain.
– After session 7 – 95-99% removal achieved with nearly full clearing of ink.
– After session 10 – For very dense, stubborn pigments, 100% removal is achieved.
Depending on the ink, between 5 and 10 sessions every 4-6 weeks is typical for complete removal.
Also Read: How to Get Tattoo Ink Out of White Clothes: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
What About DIY Lip Tattoo Removal Methods?
In a rush to remove their lip tattoos, some people try dangerous DIY techniques like:
- Rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover
- Using pure lemon juice or pineapple juice
- Scrubbing with salt, sugar or toothpaste.
- Applying hydrocortisone cream
- Using a TCA peel compound
However, these abrasive, acidic, and caustic DIY methods can cause:
- Permanent scarring and disfiguration
- Serious chemical burns and injury
- Skin infection
- Absorption of toxins from chemicals
- No true ink removal, only skin damage
DIY methods do not actually succeed in breaking down stubborn tattoo pigments like professional treatments.
But they can do significant harm. Lip tattoo removal should only be done by an accredited cosmetic specialist.
Finding a Qualified Lip Tattoo Removal Professional
To safely remove your lip ink, make sure to see an expert provider. Here are tips for finding qualified help:
- Search for specialists in permanent makeup and tattoo removal.
- Look for rigorous training in removal techniques.
- Confirm years of experience and examples of past work.
- Ensure they use state-of-the-art laser technology suited for lips.
- Check for excellent reviews and testimonials from actual clients.
- Meet for an in-person evaluation of your lips and suggested plan.
- Compare pricing between a few reputable providers.
Investing in an accredited lip tattoo removal professional protects your safety and achieves the desired results.
Also Read: Can You Remove Red Tattoo Ink? A Complete Guide
The Takeaway: How to Get Rid of a Lip Tattoo
While once considered permanent, advancements now enable full removal of stubborn lip tattoo ink. Here’s a summary of all we’ve discussed so far – how to get rid of a lip tattoo – .
Using collaborative approaches like combined laser and saline sessions, even difficult fluorescent and red pigments can be fully broken down and cleared from the delicate lip area.
Working with an experienced technician, you can achieve complete erasure of regrettable lip tattoos and a clean slate within 5-10 carefully planned treatments.
Lip Tattoo Removal FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about getting rid of lip tattoos:
How long does it take to completely remove a lip tattoo?
Most lip tattoos require between 5-10 removal sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart for 100% clearance. The process typically takes 6 months to 1 year.
Does laser removal completely get rid of lip tattoos?
Used correctly, laser is highly effective at shattering all stubborn pigment particles. For dense or fluorescent inks, combination laser treatments are best for total removal.
What hurts more tattooing or removing lips?
Most patients report tattoo removal on the sensitive lip area as being more painful than the initial tattooing. Numbing creams are commonly used to ease discomfort.
Can you remove just part of a lip tattoo?
Yes, an experienced technician can pinpoint remove certain areas of a lip tattoo, for example lightening just the liner or tail of an eyebrow shape.
What is the fastest way to remove a lip tattoo?
Laser removal produces the quickest initial lightening results by immediately shattering ink particles. Chemical peels deliver fastest total removal by shedding away tattooed skin.
How do you fade a lip tattoo?
Glycolic acid peels and carbon dioxide laser resurfacing remove layers of pigmented skin to effectively fade and lighten stubborn lip ink. Fading is typically seen within 1-3 sessions before complete removal is achieved.
