Getting through your first ever permanent makeup tattoo session was a blur, and so are the aftercare instructions that were given to you. Don’t Fret! We have created this blog so that you may refer back to and refresh your memory on what exactly you will need to do to ensure your skin retains the most pigment!

• Upon leaving, we will provide you with moist cotton to clean the new tattoo area every half hour for the first day. This is to remove any lymph drainage.  Lymph drainage will turn to scab and this is how color is lost (so we want to remove as much lymph as possible).  At the end of the first day, apply a “pin drop” size of your aftercare product.
• For the next 7 days, apply a pin drop of your aftercare product morning and night. The purpose of the aftercare is to provide vitamins and nutrients to the tattoo.  The area should still be kept dry.  Applying too much product will keep the area too moist and delay healing time.   Use a clean dry finger to apply aftercare.  Clients with health conditions may heal slower than others.
• Do not get the new tattoo wet for 7 days.
  • For brows and liner, tilt your head back in the shower, and use a washcloth for your face.
  • For lips, use a straw for drinking and avoid messy foods.
  • For areola, we will send you home with barrier tape to cover your tattoo – bathing is easier. You will leave with a dressing on your treatment area at which you can remove at home and wear loose fitting clothing.  Clean the lymph for the first day, and apply after care before bedtime.
• Do not use makeup on or near the area for 7 days while skin is healing. Expect to lose some of your color during the first 30 days. After the healing period you may use makeup to touch up any spots that may need it, until you return for your complimentary appointment at which this time those spots will be retouched. Use this time to experiment with your makeup to see any design tweaks you may want to have at your touch up finishing appointment.
• Do not touch, rub or pick at any scabs or dry skin you may notice. Everyone’s skin is different, so you may or may not have scabbing.  Do not sleep on your face.
• We have a “DO NOT PANIC 7-day rule” during the first week. The color will appear darker first, and then lighter by day 7. The skin takes up to 7 days to grow a new layer of skin over the color (like putting a sheet over it to mute the color).
• Do NOT go in direct sun for the first 7 days, this will risk burn and darkening to your tattoo. After the 7 days, you can resume any makeup needed for touch up areas until you are seen back for your follow up appointment.
• You must use sunscreen on these areas as this skin is now very delicate and you must protect your tattoo.
• Do not work out for 48 hours after your procedure. Light activity can resume but nothing that will cause you to SWEAT! Excessive skin oil/sweat will blur the hair strokes of your new brows.
• Do not tan or use retinol/anti-aging creams for 30 days after your service.
• Do not wax the brow area as this can pull off your tattoo. Schedule any tweezing/sculpting sessions with us for best results.
• Sun, chlorine, scrubs, peels, and waxing will fade, peel or dissolve your color – avoid these.
• Do not use facial scrubbing brushes of any kind on the face near the brows.
• When having your lips tattooed, you may not see much color after the first visit. It also can take up to 6 weeks for the color to “settle” to a visible layer.   It is possible that you could have a cold sore break out after your procedure, if this happens, do not panic, call us and let us know, and also get a prescription from your doctor for anti-viral medications.

Contraindications

• If you are prone to cold sores, you must be on an anti-viral medication 2 days before, the day of, and 2 days after any lip procedures. Be sure to get enough of a prescription for both of your sessions.
• If you are having an eyeliner procedure, you must not be on any lash enhancement products for at least a month prior.
• You should not be on any blood thinners (Motrin, aspirin, fish oil, Co-Q10). Do not drink alcohol the night before.  If you are on blood thinning prescription, please check with your physician.
• Pregnant or nursing are not candidates for tattooing.
• If you are a cancer patient, you need medical clearance from your doctor for any procedures.
• If you are a cancer survivor, you need to wait 6 months before having a tattoo.
• You will not be able to give blood for a period of time after having any tattoo.
• You should not have any MRI during the healing process (for at least 6 weeks).

What to expect after permanent makeup

After your procedure, you may experience swelling (more likely for eyeliner and lips); brows will have minimal swelling.  Some clients swell more than others depending on how each individual’s skin responds to the procedure (everyone’s skin is different and responds accordingly). This may mean the area feels itchy. It will appear darker for the first week until the final healed result is complete. Your 30-day touch up will complete your session.

For eyeliner, it is very important for you to ice every hour throughout the first day for swelling to prevent the risk of color migration.   

What’s next if I am healed?

After your final touch up, your permanent makeup should last between 1 and 5 years depending on how well you take care of them. We recommend that you wait two years before coming in for another touch up. We also encourage the use of SPF 30 or higher year-round as well as sunglasses (for liner and brow clients).  An SPF face stick is very convenient (and our favorite) for use on your eyebrows.