Oh, inner lip tattoos? Y’all, let’s talk about it! I know it sounds super low-key rebellious, right? Just think about it: that tiny secret ink inside your lip that only shows when you want it to. It’s like those tattoos somehow scream, “I’m cool, and I know it,” but hush-hush at the same time. Now here’s the thing, inner lip tattoos are wayyy different from usual ones and YES, it needs special love and care! Sooooo, if you’re thinking of getting some lip ink or you just got one done, let’s chat about how to take care of it. 💋
What’s Up with Inner Lip Tattoos? Why Should We Care?
First off, inner lips aren’t like getting a tat on your arm or wherever else, girl! The skin inside your lip is delicate AF—it’s like a whole different vibe. It’s WET all the time (duh, it’s literally INSIDE your mouth) and there’s always saliva doing its thing (which, fun fact, can make your tat fade faster 🕒). Plus, your mouth is like a bacteria party 24/7, so there’s also a high risk of infection if you don’t take it seriously. No one wants a crusty, gross, infected lip tattoo, am I right? 😵💫
Yeah, none of that bad stuff if we can help it. We’re keeping this ink FRESH. So let’s get into how to really care for it, BESTIE!!
Step 1: Keep It Clean, But Don’t Overdo It
Okay, okay, I know the temptation. You’re hyped about your new tattoo and suddenly you’re rinsing out your mouth every five dang minutes. The reality? That’s a BIG no-no. You wanna clean your inner lip tattoo, but like, not OBSESSIVELY.
First, for the first few days after getting inked, rinse your mouth with non-alcoholic mouthwash. Alcohol-Based mouthwashes will BURN. Not fun.
Stick to a non-alcoholic, antibacterial mouthwash to avoid the ouchies and keep bacteria in check!
You can find tons of good non-alcoholic ones out and about (many prefer Listerine Zero but lowkey, you do you). Rinse after meals or sugary drinks, babes! Three or four daily rinses should be chill—not every time you open your mouth, trust me on this!
Also, if you’re really looking to stay all-natural, some peeps swear by saline rinses (aka salty water mouthwashes). It’s like your DIY antibacterial.
Step 2: NO Picking, No Biting, Stop Fidgeting!
I KNOW you’re gonna wanna check it like every second of the day—your inner rebel is probably in your bathroom mirror right now tryna be all, “How’s it healing??” But listen up:
DO. NOT. FIDGET. WITH. THE. TATTOO.
I can’t stress this enough. The healing process is a ~journey~ and you do NOT want your curious fingers or teeth all up in there! Pulling on your lip or constantly running your tongue over the ink is asking for issues later (potential infections or making it heal wrong). 😬 Cute, right? Like, no. Leave it be!
Step 3: Avoid Certain Foods Like a BOSS 🍔🚫
Guys… the food you munch on after getting an inner lip tattoo? Yeah, that matters! You’re basically going to want to avoid spicy, hot, or ANY food that could irritate it. That means no jalapeño chips, no sriracha, no Tabasco-mayo. As much as I know you’re probs missing your fave flaming hot combo, just hold off for a few days, boo.
Also, keep those salty fries or acidic fruits (lookin’ at you, oranges 🍊) AWAY—they will sting and potentially piss off your healing tattoo. Soft and bland foods are your go-tos until it’s healed.
If your lips are healing, IHOP pancakes will be your best friend over Taco Bell!
Step 4: Hydration is HAWT 💧💦
Here’s another hot tip: Drink tons of water. Like WATER water—not soda, not that energy drink that you’re obsessed with. Water is gonna help you stay hydrated, and the healthier your body feels, the better your tattoo will heal.
Plus, if you happen to drink alcohol or smoke regularly, keep them outta your life for about 1-2 weeks.
“BUT WHY??” you might ask.
Alcohol dries you out BIG time, and smoking just adds so many gross bacteria inside your mouth. Not cool for a healing inner-lip tattoo. 🚫🍷🚬
Step 5: The Healing Process – Calm Down, It Will Fade 📉
Here’s some real talk: Inner lip tattoos fade faster than a TikTok trend, so don’t freak out! It’s totally normal if you notice some fading during the first few weeks. Some parts of the tat might shed or ‘flake’ away.
Even with the best care, these tattoos are known for wearing down quicker than tattoos on more typical spots. But the good side is you can always get touch-ups if it fades too much. That’s why some people say inner-lip tats are a commitment! 💀💬 So, don’t cry when you spot some fading. We’ve all been there.
Step 6: No Kissing or Oral Activites 🤐💏
Okay, y’all, let’s be real for a sec…
Yes, we’ve gotta bring this up because lips have all sorts of functions, ehm… like smooching or, uh—other stuff.
BUT during the healing process? You gotta put a STOP to kissy times. It’s not forever tho! Just until that tattoo is in a better spot.
Saliva swapping with others can bring a whole bacteria mess to your fresh tat—NO THANK YOU. Keep those lips closed, hun… at least when it comes to other people.
Step 7: Stay On Top of the Pain (But Not in a Drastic Way)
So some peeps experience mild pain or discomfort after gettin’ this done. But nothing major—honestly it’s kinda like having a pizza burn and it heals pretty fast.
If you do feel the pain though, you DON’T need some heavy painkillers for it. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen (like the same stuff you’d take for headaches) is usually enough to take the edge off. Just make sure you’re checking in with your body and being gentle to yourself during that time.💖
SO: Is an Inner Lip Tattoo Worth It Though?? 🤔💭
Honestly… it’s SUPER personal. If you’re into keeping things low-key but still want that hint of badassery, inner lip tattoos are such a vibe. Just remember the extra care it needs, the fact that it prolly won’t last forever, AND that healing involves extra TLC (stay away from that Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, babe).
Plus, this is one of those tattoos that you can keep on LOCK. It’s your mysterious lil’ secret until you choose to pull your lip down and show it off to the world. There’s something super fun about that!
Your body is like a canvas—whether it’s out there for everyone to see, or tucked away inside your lip, it’s uniquely YOU!
So if you’re feeling spontaneous and ready for all those inner lip tattoo vibes, go for it! Just remember, your artist will give you some killer aftercare tips (LISTEN to them!!) and come back here for the big lip care tea anytime you feel stuck.
Remember: Your lips are ICONIC. Whether inked up or smooth and glossed out, show those babies some love! 💄💋
