Having a tattoo on the inside of the lip might sound pretty crazy but a lot of celebrities have it done and are often flashing their inking for the cameras. If you fancy the idea of having a word or image tattooed on your lip, this article has been put together to help you discover everything that you need to know about this unusual tattoo placement and what you can expect in terms of pain, the healing process, and so on.
What is a lip tattoo?
A lip tattoo is exactly what it sounds like, it's an inking done inside the mouth on the interior of the lip. It appeals to a lot of people because it is hidden but can be shown off when wanted. You can choose any design that you want to have on your lip but keep in mind that the surface is much smaller so most people go for a word. Experts have said that a simple and bold is best to go in this area, if you are going for something detailed, it will likely get ruined over time due to the size. Although you should keep it small, the choice of whether to go for black and white or color is completely up to you!
Tattoos usually last forever of course but that is not the case with lip tattoos so that is something to keep in mind if you are considering a tattoo in the area. There is no guarantee of how long it will last but the average is between one and five years, and this is because of the rapid cell production in this particular area.
What is the pain and healing like?
No tattoos are a walk in the park but tattoos in the mouth are known to be particularly painful. The skin in this area is extremely thin and there are also more nerve endings than you can imagine. There is no doubt that your lip is one of the most painful areas of your body to get tattooed and you should also keep in mind that you will have to hold your lip turned out and keep it still for the entirety of the process. It shouldn't take too long though since it is such a small area but really consider if you can deal with the pain before you go for it.
Your mouth is jam-packed with bacteria so it is really important that you care for your lip tattoo in the proper way to help stop infection and complications. If you do this right, your new inking should heal within about two weeks. You obviously can't wash the inside of your lip with antibacterial soap so the aftercare is slightly different so instead, it is recommended that you just use an antibacterial mouthwash. When your tattoo is still healing, it is recommended that you stay away from acidic and spicy foods because this could mess up the way the ink settles on your skin, and it is also advised that you don't smoke during this time.
Are there any side effects?
We have covered the pain and the healing process so now it's time to look at any possible side effects related to getting your lip tattooed. It should be noted that there is a higher risk of infection with these tattoos compared to any other due to the mucus and bacteria in the mouth. To lower the odds of this happening to you, make sure that you seek out a professional tattoo artist using sterile and clean tools. You could also look for a tattoo artist who is specialized in lip tattoos because they will have more of a clue about what they are doing with this tricky area.
So how do you know if you are having an infection with your lip tattoo? It's just a case of checking it as often as you can during the healing process and following the aftercare tips. Immediately after the tattoo, some swelling and redness is common but this should not stretch on for more than a couple of days. Other signs that you have an infection include pain and fever, with these getting worse over time.
There is one more possible side effect to lip tattoos and that is possible scarring, this will usually only happen if you do not care for your tattoo properly either by not using mouthwash, smoking, or eating any of the foods that are not advised. If you do get scarring your tattoo will look warped and you could be left with a permanent scar on the inside of your lip.
Conclusion
If you want a tattoo that you can hide and something that is quite unique, there is no doubt that a lip tattoo is a good option and it's definitely a talking point with family, friends, and even strangers too. Consider the possible side effects though because these are slightly different than with tattoos done in other areas. If you've decided to go through the process, the most important thing to do is find a reputable tattoo artist and make sure that you are aware of the healing process and what you can/cannot do during the aftercare.
