top of page

Preparation for Your Permanent Makeup Appointment

Edited Image 2016-02-18 17-11-26

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

Perfect result and long-term effect depend not only on the quality of the procedure, but also the proper after care plays an important role.

 When scheduling an appointment date for a permanent makeup procedure, keep in mind the healing time of the procedure. You will need a few days afterward without social plans or strenuous activity. You may want to consider taking sedatives or herbal products that will help you relax before the procedure. These include Valerian, Kava, Hops, St. John’s Wort, Passion Flower, Chamomile, Willow Bark, and Theanine or Melatonin. (Just keep in mind that some herbs may increase or decrease the actions of other herbs or prescription medications that are being taken. Patients on prescription medications should check with their doctor regarding interactions, especially those on heart meds or blood thinners. Some medications and herbs can increase swelling and bleeding. Never discontinue a medication your doctor has recommended for you without consulting him/her first).

 Permanent eyebrow procedures do not need sedation. The brow area numbs easily and the procedure doesn't take long.  Permanent eyebrow swelling is low and barely noticeable.

Permanent eyeliner procedures benefit most from relaxation because some people cannot control the squeeze & flinch protective reflexes for the eyes that might cause an error or injury. Permanent eyeliner and lip procedures take longer and the sedation also helps keep you comfortable lying still in one spot. Antihistamines like Benedryl taken one hour before the procedure may reduce swelling and help you relax. Watery eyes can dilute the pigment that is being implanted, so Benedryl can help to avoid the excessive tearing during the procedure. Permanent eyeliner swelling can be moderate. 

Permanent lips swelling can be severe and will last few hours.  Immediately after the procedure your eyebrows/eyeliner/lips will appear to be too dark and will have a slighly drammatic appearance. Within 1 to 2 weeks after the crust flakes off, the permanent makeup will become more natural looking.

 If you are on your menstrual cycle it is more likely to have sensetivity during the procedure. 

​

     Preparation for the Eyeliner PMU

  • Do not wear contact lens during the procedure and for 24 hrs after.

  • Bring sunglasses to wear home. Eyes may be light sensitive.

  • Do not dye or perm lashes for 2 days prior.

  • If you have had any type of eye surgery, consult with the physician about how long you should wait before having a permanent eyeliner procedure. Most physicians recomend to wait for 2 months after cataract, lasik, and blepharoplasty.

  • It is preferable not to have eyelash extensions on. There will be a lot of loss of extensions after the eyeliner procedure and after applying ointment on the eyelids.

 

      Preparation for the Eyebrows PMU

  • Do not tweeze, wax or dye brows for 2 days prior. 

  • Electrolysis should not be done for a week prior. 

  • If Botox injections were done around the eye/eyebrow area in the last 4 months, consult your doctor before having permanent makeup.

 

      Preparation for Lips PMU

  • If you get cold sores on your lips you will need an antiviral medication prescription, like Valtrex or Aciclovir. You should start taking it 1-2 days prior to the procedure, for 3-5 day course. You can get the prescription and the dosage from your PC doctor.

  • Exfoliate lips prior to the appointment and keep them moisturized.

  • If you have had any type of lip surgery, consult with the physician about how long you should wait before having the permanent makeup procedure, it should be not sooner than 4 months after.

  • If you have had the lip injection recently it is important to share this information with your permanent makeup technician and/or consult with a doctor about how long you should wait before having permanent makeup on your lips. These two procedures are compatible, it does not matter which one has to be done first, as long as there is one month interval between them to allow the tissues to heal.

​

​

  Contraindications:
​
  Absolute containdications:

• Insulin-dependent form of diabetes 

• Diseases associated with a significant decrease in blood clotting

• Diseases of the immune system or overall reduced immune status 

• Severe physical illness 

• Mental disorders

• Epilepsy 

• The tendency to form keloids 

• The period of exacerbation of any disease

• Alcohol or drugs intoxication

  • Blood transmitted diseases 

  • Psoriasis near the site of permanent makeup

  • Usage of prescription strength retinol (You would have to be off the medication for 1 month prior to getting PMU)

​

   Relative contraindications:

• High blood pressure. It is recommended to measure blood pressure before treatment and if necessary to take the drug, reducing pressure.

• Multiple allergies. It is recommended to do allergy tests on pre-anesthetics and pigments to be used.

• The period of menstruation. During this period bleeding and pain are increased. But it all depends on how you personally carry this period. If you are not very comfortable, the procedure is best done in mid-cycle.

• Pregnancy and lactation. It is not recommended to do tattooing in 1 trimester of pregnancy. On 2 and 3 trimester and during lactation procedure can be done with the permission of the doctor, and in cases where the client feels like she can tolerate the procedure without the use of anesthetics. Lip Tattoo is not recommended at all, because it always requires anesthetics and receiving herpes simplex is extremely undesirable during pregnancy and lactation.

• Herpes Simplex. After an exacerbation it is recommended to wait 1-2 months for a full recovery of your lips. Before the procedure, all customers who are prone to cold sores are advised to take antiviral medication like Aciclovir or Valtrex.

• The tendency to conjunctivitis. Clients with this problem often use permanent makeup because it reduces the likelihood of irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes caused by decorative makeup use. However, before doing this procedure you need to consult with an ophthalmologist and pick up drugs for the after care. If conjunctivitis has an allergic nature, it is recommended to do a patch test of the anesthetics and pigments.

• The presence of tumors of unknown etiology, cancer.

• Moles and birthmarks in the area of ​​permanent makeup procedure can be done, by avoiding the mole, so as not to injure them. It makes sense to think about the removal of birthmarks, and after a full recovery, get the permanent makeup.

• During the course of corticosteroids, powerful antibiotics, anticoagulants. They can reduce the effect of the procedure, the color may be distorted.

• Drinking alcohol the day before the procedure. It generally leads to an increased bleeding, due to which the skin gets less pigment.

• Botox, Newtox, Dysport injections. For the Eyebrows PMU it is recommend to do permanent make-up first, then the Botox. If you do the eyebrows after Botox / Dysport, four months later eyebrows may be asymmetric or at different heights. This does not apply to the Lips PMU or to the Eyeliner. 

  • Any breakouts within the permanent makeup area. Its best to wait until all the breakouts are cleared and healed before scheduling the service.

​

 

​

Post-Procedure Instructions:
​

The permanent makeup area will be tender on the 1st day. It may be the most swollen the morning after the procedure. You can cool the skin by applying clean cool gel compresses. 

Do not use ice or frozen packs!

Keep the area clean at all times!

 

  • Avoid physical activity for 3 days. Increased blood pressure and dilated blood vessels may increase swelling and bleeding/oozing. Also, sweat can run into the wound affecting the pigment retention.

  • On the day of the procedure wash your permanent makeup area with mild soap and water every 2-3 hours. This will wash off plasma and dried lymph and will minimize the crust.

  • AVOID getting the area wet the next day and during the entire healing time (~10 days).

  • Do not scrub, rub, wipe, or scratch the area. Use patting motions only.

  • Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, astringents, salicylic, glycolic acids.

  • Do not expose the area to pressure of the shower. Stand with your back to the water.

  • Do not peel or pick at crust, this could cause pigment loss, scarring, and delayed healing.

  • Do not expose to sun or tanning bed while healing. Avoid sunblock during the healing.

  • Do not swim in fresh, salty or chlorinated water during the healing time.

  • Do not use steam rooms, sauna or hot tubs. 

  • Do not apply cosmetics over the area while healing.

  • Final healed result can be seen in 4 weeks. The touchup should be scheduled 4-6 weeks after the initial procedure. Performing a touchup too early could cause scarring!

  • Many anti-aging products containing acids and exfoliators cause premature fading of the pigment. Avoid using them in the area of a permanent makeup. (Examples are Glycolic or Salicylic acids)

  • Do not use laser hair removal or photo-facial and other laser treatments too close to the tattooed area.

  • Always apply sunblock (after healing is over) when going in the sun, it will prevent premature fading of the permanent makeup.

 

      Specifics for EYELINER

  • Eyelids will be swollen for the first 24 hours. Eyes may feel dry or irritated. Lubricating refreshing drops may be used on the day of the procedure only. 

  • It’s very important to keep your eyelids dry at all times during the healing.

  • Do not use mascara or other eye makeup until outer healing is complete (7-14 days)

 

     Specifics for EYEBROWS

Approximate healing time for eyebrows is 10 days 

  • Do not use makeup on the brows,

  • Do not dye, wax, tweeze, or use electrolysis for 2 weeks in the area. You can tweeze outside the permanent makeup. 

 

     Specifics for LIPS

Healing time for Lips is approximately 7-10 days but the final result will be visible in 4 weeks. The color will find a permanent “home” in the lip tissue and will develop the true healed intensity

  • wash your lips very 2-3 hours on the day of the procedure.  After 2 days you can start applying unscented Vaseline/Aquaphor or natural organic lip balm to keep lip`s crust from cracking.

  • Lips will be tender and swollen at first. Choose foods you can eat without touching lips.

  • Do not excessively stretch lips while they are healing with big smiles, or pucker lips when smoking.

  • For those who get cold sores - you should continue taking antiviral medication as directed.

  • On the third day lips start peeling. Lips will peel for about a week. Please allow it to flake off on its own. Picking and pulling off skin that is not ready to come off will cause pigment loss and can pull out deeper tissue. The edges or lip liner will be the last to flake off. Pulling this off will result in an uneven splotchy line or a scar!

  • It is normal to feel discomfort the day of the lip procedure. The next day it should be minimal. If you begin having pain on the 3rd or 4th day after being pain-free, it is a signal that something is wrong. It is usually one of three things: 1) Infection, 2) Cold sore, 3) Allergic contact dermatitis from the ointment. Stop using ointment to rule out if that is the cause. Contact the permanent makeup artist.

  • After the lips are healed, they may feel more chapped than normal. Moisturize with vitamin E, coconut/grape seed oil or natural/organic lip balms.The chapped feeling subsides over a period of weeks to couple of months.

​

Antibiotic ointment is used ONLY if an infection occurs. The antibiotic ointment can be any brand (Bacitracin, Neosporin, etc). Use it twice a day for 2-3 days. Notify the permanent makeup specialist in case of an infection.

After all the scabs are gone the pigment may appear very pale, it is totally normal. In couple of more weeks the color will turn more vibrant as it sets in the epidermis.

bottom of page