Put simply, a lip tattoo will put some colour and definition on your lips; lip filler puts in volume under the skin for a time. The one modifies the way your natural lip colour is seen, the other is about shape and fullness.
You will hear the two put in the same breath as they both have an effect on the mouth, but they are not one and the same. With a lip tattoo you have pigment put into the skin, with filler it is an injectable, typically a hyaluronic-acid gel. I am Evelyn Marlowe and I have put together this guide to lay out the realities of each so neither comes across as some kind of salon miracle.
A Clear Comparison Of The Treatments
There is no “better” treatment per se, only what is suitable for you, be it for border definition, uneven colour, volume or to avoid the faff of daily makeup. To get past the trendy talk and decide on what you want to change, look at the purpose, method and how long either will last.
Neither treatment is automatically “better”. The suitable choice depends on whether your concern is volume, border definition, uneven colour, or simply wanting less daily makeup faffing.
| Factor | Lip Filler | Lip Tattoo |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | To add symmetry, shape or volume | Colour and visual definition |
| How it works | An injectable gel goes beneath the skin | Pigment is put into the upper layers of the skin |
| What changes most | Contour and fullness | The lip edge and its colour |
| Typical longevity | Only temporary as the body breaks it down | It will last but is not set in stone |
| Recovery | Some tenderness, swelling, bruising | Healing brings dryness, flaking, sensitivity and colour shifts |
| Main risks | Asymmetry, lumps, infection, bruising, vascular issues (rare) | Allergic reaction, infection, cold-sore reactivation, uneven pigment |
On Lip Filler
The intent is to give the lip border some structure, make the upper and lower lips more even, or take the edge off lines around the mouth. It will not alter the natural pigment like a tattoo.
Your anatomy, the injection technique and the product all come into play. An astute practitioner might put in less than you think necessary if it is your first time or your lips are of a narrow nature. Bigger does not necessarily mean better, it can just be bigger.
Then There Is The Swelling
After any injectable work the lips may appear unusually full or unbalanced. Bruising is not uncommon and it can be a few days before the final look is in place. To have the procedure done right before a family photo or wedding would be inviting trouble.
Complications such as lumps, discolouration or infection are possible. In the rare event of a blocked blood vessel it is an emergency. Make sure you know who is doing the work, their credentials and what support is on hand should there be an issue.
How A Lip Tattoo Will Change Things
Also known as lip blush, this is where cosmetic pigment is put in to even out the colour or make pale lips rosier. It gives the impression of a sharper border without the physical bulk. But do not expect it to plump the lips; pigment is not going to put back lost tissue.
The treatment cannot genuinely plump the lips. It can create the visual impression of better definition, but pigment does not replace lost tissue or alter the underlying structure of the mouth.
Give The Colour Time
At first the pigment from a fresh lip tattoo can be brighter or darker than you would like. As the skin heals the tone softens and some of it will fade. There could be a recommendation for a touch up, contingent on the practitioner and how the skin takes to it.
Do not be tempted to pick at any peeling skin, it is only asking for irritation or infection and will compromise the result. Heed the aftercare advice from the provider to keep the area free of stinging products.
Make Your Choice
In the end it is the outcome that counts. Filler is the more straightforward answer if you are after a fuller profile. Should you be happy with the size of your lips and in search of a good natural tint, then a lip tattoo is probably what you are looking for.
Before you put in a booking, make a note of the changes you are after. “I want nicer lips” is fine to say but will not serve you well in a consultation; “I am looking for a subtle colour correction” or “some mild improvement in the fullness of my upper lip” is more to the point and allows the practitioner to make a proper assessment.
- If volume, shape or structural balance is what you are after, opt for filler.
- For matters of colour and definition, or to cut down on the daily use of lipstick, then lip tattooing is the way to go.
- And should you have any unexplained discolouration, sores, persistent swelling or an abrupt change, put alternatives on the table with your provider.
The Costs And Timing
There is no set national price in Australia and one should not treat a rough guide as a quote. Depending on the provider’s experience, the product and follow-up arrangements, fees can be anything from several hundred Australian dollars up for either treatment, with more involved work running to more. It is wiser to see what is included than to go for the lowest number on an advertisement. A good rule of thumb is to enquire if the quoted price covers the consultation, aftercare, a review and any necessary correction. An offer that is too good to be true warrants some questions rather than being embraced.
In terms of time, a filler session is generally short though you may have to factor in some bruising or swelling in your plans. With a lip tattoo the appointment will be longer as the lips are properly mapped and pigmented, and the healing process is more conspicuous than one might think in the opening days.
Treatment Safety
A sound preparation involves a real consultation, not an exchange of messages on social media. The practitioner needs to be made aware of any allergies, medicines, medical conditions, pregnancy or breastfeeding, active skin issues and whether you have had cold sores.
In fact, do not be reticent about a history of cold sores; it is the kind of thing a responsible practitioner must know, as trauma to the area can bring them back and you may require medical advice before going ahead.
Verify the provider has the right qualifications and registration, a plan for emergencies and good infection control. Healthdirect is a source for general information on cosmetic procedures and what to ask.
- Make sure you get the name of the treatment and the product or pigment to be used.
- Find out who will be doing the work and their training.
- Put it in writing for the aftercare and have an emergency contact on hand.
- Also find out what the procedure is if you are unhappy with the outcome or a complication arises.
Some Mistakes To Steer Clear Of
Do not be under the impression that a lip tattoo is a substitute for filler. It is not. The colour draws the eye but an injectable gel is what gives physical fullness.
Nor judge the result in haste. Swollen filler is not the end product and new pigment is not the healed colour; there is little to be gained by taking a photo straight after and measuring it against some edited image on the internet.
Then there is the confusion between a cosmetic and a body tattoo. The equipment, pigments and the way the skin reacts can be quite different so do not assume the practitioner is equally adept at both without asking.
Suitability
An adult who is realistic about the need for follow-up and the odd bit of bruising may find lip filler to his or her liking. Lip tattooing is for those wanting a colour effect to last and who are okay with the fact the pigment will fade or change.
It is not something to do if you are being put upon by an influencer or a partner for some event. You should be the one making the call after giving due consideration to the risks. If a provider is hasty, puts you off with questions or talks of guaranteed results, take it as a warning.
Those with an open cut, irritation or an active cold sore would do better to put off treatment and get some medical opinion.
Keep Expectations In Check
You might expect a filler to give you the look of a filtered photograph. But natural asymmetry and texture mean results are not uniform.
You could think a lip tattoo is the equivalent of wearing lipstick. In reality the healed colour is softer and not always a makeup replacement.
As for permanence, filler is by nature temporary. While a lip tattoo is long-lasting it will need maintenance and can alter in tone, and getting rid of it can be an expensive and incomplete business.
Plan Your Consultation Questions
There is a difference between a good consultation and a sales pitch; the former should be a conversation. Should you wish to put into words what is not to your liking, have some unadorned photographs of your lips in normal light at hand, but do not make do with a heavily retouched picture as your sole reference.
Put questions to the practitioner on how he or she would deal with your issue, what the prospects are for complications and their management, the likelihood of things going awry and what one can expect once fully healed. Be prepared to leave and have a think about it if the responses are oblique or you find technical information being held back in order to get you to put down a booking on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lip Tattoo or Lip Filler?
They are not one and the same. A lip tattoo is a means of putting pigment in the skin for the sake of colour and definition; a filler is an injectable put under the skin to modify symmetry, shape or fullness. The concerns they tackle are different.
Will a Lip Tattoo give me bigger lips?
In so far as making them more of a visual presence, say where the natural border is on the pale side, it will lend some definition. Physical volume is not added. One has to be circumspect about tattooing well beyond the lip line as the pigment will settle and the effect can be uneven.
Does one’s lip colour change with Filler?
Not like with cosmetic tattooing. It is no kind of pigment treatment, though the change in shape will affect the way light comes off the lips. Any marked alteration in colour post filler warrants a prompt assessment, all the more so with darkening, an odd paleness or pain of any severity.
What has the better staying power?
As a rule the tattoo will outlast the filler yet neither is permanent. The body will eventually break down the filler and the tattoo is subject to fading over time from the sun, maintenance and the like. Do not expect guarantees from the provider, ask for a realistic estimate of longevity.
Is it possible to have both?
You may come across those who do, but have a word with a qualified provider on the advisability and timing. There is a risk of more swelling and irritation when procedures are combined, not to mention difficulty in telling which one was responsible for a reaction. Better to see how one fares before committing to another.
Make A Choice With Some Calm And Forethought
The distinction is plain: the former for volume and structure, the latter for colour and definition. What is right for you is a matter of the outcome desired, your budget and the risks laid out in a proper consultation and how much recovery you can put up with.
I would suggest getting the problem described before you decide on a procedure. Thin lips call for looking at volume, whereas if the size is fine but they are washed out then consider pigment. Do not be afraid of an awkward question or to take your time; a considered decision is always more becoming than one made in haste.