Getting a Lip Tattoo

If you're looking to get a tattoo that's a little different and less conspicuous, then you may want to consider a lip tattoo. These tattoos are generally going to be on the inside of the bottom lip and more rarely on the inside of the upper lip.

In most cases, a lip tattoo is going to be one, short word or a few numbers, but occasionally, you'll find someone who has gotten a small image tattooed on the inside of the lip. (You can see pictures below of various lip tattoos.)

Because of the placement, this tattoo may be considered a hardcore tattoo. If you're looking for something different, this one may be for you, but you'll want to consider the potential complications.

Choosing a Lip Tattoo

When choosing your lip tattoo design, you want to make sure that you keep a basic design. As mentioned, a few letters or numbers is the average design for an inner lip tattoo.

Keep in mind that the thinner the lines and the closer the lines are together, the more likelihood that the tattoo will fade and become indiscernible with time.

How Much Does a Lip Tattoo Hurt?

As with any tattoo, the pain of the tattoo will vary on your pain tolerance. I have never gotten, much less wanted, an inner lip tattoo, but if it is anything like getting a labret piercing, I wouldn't think that it was the most painful tattoo in the world.

Problems with Lip Tattoos

Just because it's a cool placement for a tattoo, that doesn't mean that you should get one. You'll want to consider the concern of fading. All tattoos fade over time, but lip tattoos are prone to fading away completely.

With most tattoos, you'll need to have touch-ups. The more touch-ups that you get, the greater the risk of normal tattoo risks, such as infection.

Aftercare of Lip Tattoos

As with any and every tattoo, you will need to consider the aftercare of a lip tattoo. You obviously do not want to use a tattoo aftercare cream or ointment inside of your mouth, but you do want to use a basic mouth wash.

Rinse your mouth before and after you get the tattoo. Once you have the lip tattoo, you'll want to wait at least a few hours before drinking or smoking. Then, while healing your new inner lip tattoo, you'll want to use mouth wash to rinse after meals and after smoking.

When caring for your new tattoo, make sure that you follow proper aftercare in order to achieve the maximum longevity for the tattoo.

Lip tattoos are finicky, so you'll want to make sure that you give your tattoo the best chance possible, which starts at a reputable tattoo artist and ends with your aftercare process.