Aquarelle Lip PMU is a machine technique that implants pigment in light layers without heavy coverage or sharp graphic outlines. It delivers a sheer wash of color, adds visual fullness, and restores even natural tone to the lips.
With no harsh borders along the perimeter, lips look fresh and naturally enhanced—never like heavy lipstick.
Key Features of the Aquarelle Technique
Aquarelle PMU differs significantly from traditional lip tattooing or dense lipstick effects:
- Implantation Depth: Pigment is placed in the upper layers of the dermis (up to 1 mm). This keeps the procedure minimally invasive and ensures even, soft fading over time.
- Soft Gradient Shading: Pigment is distributed evenly across the lips, mimicking natural tissue tone.
- Shade Palette: Nude, pastel, soft pink, and peach pigments are selected based on your natural undertones.
- Longevity: Results last 1.5 to 2 years depending on age, skin type, and individual metabolism.
Who Is This Procedure For?
The Aquarelle technique works for all ages and addresses key aesthetic concerns:
- Loss of natural color: Restores vibrancy lost to age or faded borders.
- Asymmetry & minor flaws: Visually balances minor asymmetry and masks small scars or post-herpes spots.
- Time saving: Delivers a fresh look without constantly reapplying lip gloss or tint.
Important: Aquarelle PMU is not designed to cover old, dark traditional tattoos or correct strong cold/bluish undertones. Those cases require laser removal or a denser lipstick-effect procedure first.
How to Prepare
Your lip skin condition directly affects how smoothly the pigment settles. Start preparing 7–10 days prior:
- Hydration: Apply nourishing lip balms daily to eliminate dryness.
- Gentle Exfoliation: Use a mild lip scrub 3–5 days before your appointment to remove dead skin.
- Sun Protection: Avoid direct UV exposure, tanning beds, and skin trauma.
Procedure Steps
A session takes approximately 2–2.5 hours and follows these steps:
- Consultation & Mapping: The artist selects the shade and maps out the border according to your facial proportions.
- Antiseptic Cleansing: Thorough disinfection of the work area.
- Pigment Application: Layer-by-layer machine shading using soft, precise strokes.
- Post-Treatment Care: Application of a protective soothing balm and review of home care rules.
Contraindications
Absolute:
- Diabetes
- Blood clotting disorders
- Epilepsy or neurological disorders
- Active oncological conditions
- Tendency to form keloid scars
Temporary:
- Active herpes outbreaks or skin lesions on the lips
- Acute viral infections or fever
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Healing & Aftercare Rules
Full skin recovery takes 28 days, though initial surface healing occurs within 5–7 days.
- First 24 hours: Gently dab away any lymph fluid with a cotton pad moistened with Chlorhexidine. Do not rub the skin.
- Hydration: Apply a thin layer of the recommended balm or cosmetic vaseline whenever your lips feel tight.
- Avoid: Picking or peeling flaking skin; applying lip makeup for 10–14 days; visiting saunas, pools, tanning beds, or taking hot baths for one month.
Touch-Up Session
Once healed, color intensity softens by roughly 30–40%. A touch-up session at 30–45 days allows you to:
- Add extra color saturation if desired.
- Perfect any minor spots where pigment healed unevenly.
- Extend overall retention.
