Do
Blot lymph gently with clean tissue for the first few hours. Wash hands before touching. Clean the lips gently as instructed (usually a light dab with water or sterile saline, patted dry). Apply a thin layer of the recommended balm/ointment with a cotton tip — thin, not thick. Drink through a straw for a day or two. Sleep slightly propped the first night to limit swelling.
Don't
Don't pick, peel, scratch or exfoliate flaking skin — it pulls pigment out and can scar. Don't soak the lips: no swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, or long hot showers with water on the face for ~2 weeks. Don't sunbathe or use sunbeds; keep healing lips out of direct sun. Don't do sweaty workouts for about a week. Don't eat spicy, acidic, very salty or very hot food against the lips; don't use straws once healed is not needed but during week one they help.
Also avoid
Lipstick, lip liner, exfoliating or 'plumping' lip products, and lip filler until fully healed; kissing and oral contact during week one (infection route); and any facial treatment (peels, laser, microdermabrasion) over the lip area for several weeks.
Call the artist if
Spreading redness and heat, pus, fever, a cold-sore outbreak, or pain that increases rather than decreases after day two — these need prompt attention, sometimes medical.
