A woman from Essex, England, is warning others after experiencing a nightmare reaction following a cosmetic lip procedure that left her barely recognizable. Megan Davies, 29, shelled out around $500 for a lip blush treatment, a semi-permanent pigmentation technique designed to enhance the natural color and shape of the lips. What seemed like a straightforward beauty appointment quickly spiraled into one of the most painful experiences of her life. She shared the ordeal on TikTok, where her story quickly gained widespread attention.
Megan had relatively simple goals going into the procedure. “I just wanted to add a little color and shape to my lips because they were naturally quite pale,” she explained. Before the session, she underwent a patch test, which came back without any issues, giving her the green light to proceed. During the treatment itself, she felt mild tingling sensations, but the technician assured her this was completely normal.
When the session wrapped up, Megan’s lips were noticeably swollen, but the beautician told her the puffiness would settle down on its own. The next morning, however, she was met with a shocking sight. “When I woke up, my lips looked like a baboon’s backside, they were four times bigger than usual,” she recalled. The swelling was just the beginning of her troubles, as the situation continued to deteriorate rapidly over the following hours.
@abbilouchandler Absolutely traumatised #lipblush #viral #fyp ♬ WHAT THE FUCKKK – Ashley Padilla Fanpage
Her lips became covered in painful sores, and there was a yellow discharge seeping from them. “They were covered in cold sores and yellow fluid was oozing out, it was disgusting,” Megan said. The pain and swelling were so severe that basic functions became impossible. “I couldn’t eat or drink, and I was so embarrassed that I didn’t want to leave the house,” she shared, adding that “the pain was unbearable, I had never felt anything like it.”
Megan sought urgent medical attention, and the nurse who treated her was visibly shocked by the condition of her lips. Doctors determined that the trauma caused to the skin and tissue during the lip blush procedure had triggered a severe reaction from the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), a virus that a large portion of the population carries without ever experiencing noticeable symptoms. Skin trauma from cosmetic procedures is a known trigger for HSV-1 outbreaks in those who carry the virus. Megan was prescribed antiviral medication to help manage the outbreak.
What upset Megan most was the lack of warning she received beforehand. “They never warned me about the risk of a herpes outbreak. If they had, I would have taken preventative measures,” she stated firmly. The salon later responded by claiming that clients are always informed of this potential risk. Megan’s recovery took a full two weeks, and even after healing, the outcome was deeply disappointing. “It took two weeks for my lips to heal, and now the pigment has completely disappeared,” she said. The salon refunded her money, but the physical and emotional toll remained.
Beyond wanting her money back, Megan has made it her mission to alert others to the risks involved. “I have scars left and I want to warn others to do their research thoroughly before deciding to go through with a procedure like this,” she urged. Her TikTok video sparked a significant conversation online, with many viewers expressing both shock and sympathy.
Lip blush is a form of cosmetic tattooing that uses a machine to deposit semi-permanent pigment into the lips, typically lasting anywhere from two to five years depending on skin type and aftercare. The procedure is performed similarly to traditional tattooing and is considered a form of permanent makeup. Because the treatment involves repeatedly puncturing the skin, it creates micro-trauma that can activate dormant viruses such as HSV-1. Medical professionals often recommend that patients who carry the herpes simplex virus take antiviral medication as a precaution before undergoing any procedure that involves trauma to the lips or the surrounding area. HSV-1 is estimated to be present in roughly two-thirds of the global population under the age of 50, according to the World Health Organization, meaning the risk Megan faced is far from rare. Reputable cosmetic clinics are expected to screen clients for such conditions and provide proper informed consent before any semi-permanent makeup procedure is carried out.
If you have had a similar experience with a cosmetic procedure or have thoughts on the risks involved in treatments like lip blush, share them in the comments.
