Preparation & Aftercare
Your care from start to finish is highly important to me. I will ensure you are fully aware of the preparation you need to do before your semi-permanent brow treatment and the aftercare you need to follow post treatment. This page provides all the information but I will also run through this with you when you book your appointment. See below for a guide for the care guidance for pre and post your brow or lip treatment with me. Aftercare is as important as the treatment.
Preparation for semi-permanent brow & lip tattoo treatment
Essential:
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You must be over the age of 18
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You MUST tell us if you are on any medications prior to your appointment.
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If you are having a lip blush treatment and have ever had a cold sore then it is recommended to take anti-viral medications for 5 days pre and post treatment.
You cannot have treatment if:
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You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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You are on Roaccutane or any blood thinners like Warfarin.
4 weeks before treatment:
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Do NOT use topical creams that contain AHAS, Retinols or acids near the area for at least 4 weeks before your appointment.
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Botox and fillers cannot be performed for 4 weeks either side of your appointment.
2/3 weeks before treatment:
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No direct sunlight (beach holidays/tanning) 2 weeks pre and post treatment.
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It is recommend not to have treatment within 3 weeks of a COVID vaccine as can affect healed results.
1 week before treatment:
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Don't tweeze, thread, derma plane or wax a week prior.
48 hours before
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Don't take aspirin or ibuprofen for 48 hours before treatment as this can make you bleed and the pigment will not heal well.
24 hours before
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Do NOT drink any alcohol 24 hours before your appointment.
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Don't use retinol or Vitamin A.
On the day
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You must be fit and well on the day of your treatment.
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Do NOT drink any caffeine or alcohol on the day of your appointment.
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Don't exercise before the appointment.
If any of the above happens and you can not attend your treatment:
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Your booking fee is non-refundable.
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We will move your date once if needed.
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If you need to rearrange your appointment, you must give 48 hours notice.
Aftercare for semi-permanent brow or lip tattoo treatment
Aftercare is as important as the procedure in getting a great healed result. You are at risk of infection in the first 24 hours, so follow the guidance carefully to ensure your brows heal fully and deliver the end result you desire.
Key aftercare guidance for first 7 days while they heal:
Brows
❌ Do not wet your brow tattoo for at least 7 days while they heal
❌ Do not apply makeup/skincare to your brow tattoo for at least 7 days while they heal
❌ Do not touch your brow tattoo with your fingertips for at least 7 days while they heal
❌ Avoid sweating, saunas and exercise for at least 7 days while they heal
❌ Apply provided ointment, twice daily, morning & night with a clean cotton swab
Lips
❌ No spicy/salty foods foods kissing until healed
❌ Do not apply makeup/skincare to your lip tattoo for at least 7 days while they heal
❌ Do not touch your lip tattoo with your fingertips for at least 7 days while they heal
❌ Avoid sweating, saunas and exercise for at least 7 days while they heal
❌ Apply provided ointment balm as often as required, clean area before applying balm
What to expect during the healing process:
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As soon as your procedure is finished your body will start to heal. The skin will close and you may see a thin crust which will protect the area whilst the skin heals.
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You may get some swelling, this is normal and should subside within 2 days.
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In some cases there may be slight bruising. This should last no longer than one week.
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You may notice whiteness or blanching around the area, this is normal and will subside within a few hours.
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24-48 hrs: Treated area will release lymphatic fluid, pat dry often with clean cotton round or soft tissue.
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After a few days the crust, if visible, will start to come away revealing the pigment.
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You will initially see a lighter hue of implanted colour.
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Day 2: Brows will appear dark & thicker
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Day 5 - 10: Brows may become uneven, patchy & flaky
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This will change and settle over the next 4-6 weeks.
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Day 10 - 11: Brows will fade 30-40%
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Day 14 - After the initial scabbing has shed, you will see a different hue to the colour implanted. At this point (2-weeks later), you can then apply make-up.
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In some cases a true healed colour cannot be seen for up to 3 months.
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Wait for brows to heal before applying makeup & skincare
Extra guidance:
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If you pick at them you will lose colour and will be liable to pay for additional retouches (yes we can tell!)
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Wash your hair as little as possible and consider having a bath to wash your hair so your face stays dry, or getting someone to assist you.
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Use cleanser and wipes and flannels etc to cleanse your face.
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Should you wish to apply makeup, it is suggested that you purchase new products to avoid cross contamination around the area.
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NO COSMETICS CAN GO ON THE AREA. This includes make-up, moisturisers, hair tint and fake tan.
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Giving blood: Red Cross have suggested that you do not give blood for 6 months after treatment.
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MRI scans: this procedure shows as an artefact on the scan. Some clients may experience a tingling sensation. Please notify your radiologist of your treatment.
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Injectables: dermal fillers can alter the shape of your eyebrows or lips.
Remember... Your touch-up colour boost session will cover issues regarding shape, colour, thickness, depth & fullness. Note: It will not cover colour issues from you picking the scabs, we can tell :)
FAQ's
Brows
What's the process?
You will have a free consultation & patch test before we start your treatment to chat about expectations, realistic goals, colour and shapes.
On the treatment day an eyebrow template/pre draw is drawn with makeup for review and once you and Sophie are both satisfied, the chosen pigment shade is infused using a tiny needle into the dermal layer of skin.
Immediately after the treatment, the colour will be more intense and sharp. During the healing this will subside over the next few weeks to reveal your natural new brow look.
How long do the brows last?
This will vary from each individual dependent on your lifestyle and skin type. Generally your PMU brows will need a top up around 12 months to keep them fresh from your first initial treatment. If you did not do a colour boost after a year, the brows will gradually get lighter until they disappear around 2-3 years.
This fading process is heavily influenced by environmental factors such as sun/UV, strong facial treatments (retinol and AHA Acids) along with your skin type.
What style of eyebrow is best for my skin?
The skin type is our canvas in which we are working on. If the canvas is compromised the treatment result will be influenced by this.
Dry Skin = Great for all styles, especially hairstrokes
Normal Skin = All techniques are possible including hairstrokes.
Oily Skin = Shading/powder techniques are most suitable
Combination = If the oil is present in the T zone, shading techniques are best
Ultra Thick / Deep pores / Deep Lines and Wrinkles = Only soft powder techniques will be possible if this is present through the eyebrow
Scarring = Can be temperamental when tattooing into a scar - multiple delicate sessions may be required. the scar must be lighter than the surrounding skin - if there is darkness or redness present we cannot tattoo.
We cannot tattoo over moles.
How will I look immediately after?
Primarily the brows will look as if makeup has been applied - dependent which style was chosen will determine the darkness/intensity. Slight redness maybe will appear as the skin has been abraded but this will all settle over the next few days.
Full aftercare will be provided on completion of the treatment and verbally explained
Lips
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Can I have fillers?
Allow 4 weeks in between lip injections and Permanent Makeup due to healing. If the filler is migrated we will recommend to get the filler dissolved before having Permanent Makeup to get the best result.
PMU go right to the borders of your lips and to balance symmetry, but we cannot work over the vermilion boarder or skin tissue as you will have problems once the fading process.
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Does it hurt?
A topical numbing cream is applied to your lips beforehand and throughout the treatment. The treatment is a mild form of a tattoo so some sensation is to be expected.
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How will I look immediately after?
Primarily the lips will look as if lipstick/gloss has been applied - dependent which colour was chosen will determine the darkness/brightness. Slight swelling of the lips may appear as the skin has been abraded but this will all settle over the next few days.
Full aftercare will be provided on completion of the treatment and verbally explained,