Simple, essential guidelines to help you prepare for your treatment and achieve the best possible healing and results.
Proper pre and post care is essential to achieving the best possible results from your permanent makeup treatment. Preparing your skin correctly before your appointment helps reduce sensitivity and supports smoother healing, while following the recommended aftercare protects your results and improves pigment retention.
It is normal for your permanent makeup to go through a healing and settling phase before the final result appears, and touch-up appointments play an important role in perfecting colour and shape. Consistent care, along with healthy skin habits, helps ensure long-lasting, beautiful results.
Permanent makeup is not suitable for clients who are:
Pregnant or nursing
Diabetic (without medical clearance)
Undergoing chemotherapy (doctor’s approval required)
Experiencing viral infections or illness
Who have had Botox within the last 2 weeks
Who have had an organ transplant
Who have epilepsy
Currently sick with a cold or flu
Who have used Accutane within the past 6 months
Stop using retinol, Vitamin A, acids, exfoliants on the brow area 2 weeks prior.
Avoid waxing or brow shaping for at least 48 hours before your appointment.
If you tint your brows, do so at least 1 week prior.
Botox and fillers must be done 2 weeks before or after your PMU appointment.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, aspirin, ibuprofen, and niacin for 48 hours prior (these increase bleeding and affect results).
You may arrive with your brows drawn in to show your preferred shape.
You may feel more sensitive during your menstrual cycle.
We cannot tattoo over moles, sores, blemishes, or active breakouts.
Keep brows completely dry for the first 24 hours, and avoid touching until flaking stops.
After 24 hours, you may cleanse gently with a mild cleanser (e.g., Cetaphil).
Do not rub, pick, or scratch any scabs or flaking skin.
Apply the provided ointment morning and night using a cleansed finger and gentle dabbing (rice-sized amount per brow).
Oily skin types may be advised to dry heal with no ointment.
Keep pets away from your face during healing and avoid dusty or dirty environments.
Refrain from sweating, working out, hot tubs, saunas, and swimming in chlorinated pools for one week after any PMU or peri-medical tattoo service.
Avoid any activities that raise body temperature during the initial healing period.
Brows will appear dark, bold, and solid for up to 2 weeks.
Days 4–5: flaking begins — do NOT pick.
After flaking, brows may appear too light (ghosting phase).
Color returns gradually and fully settles by 4 weeks.
Itchiness can occur for up to 2 months.
Oily skin heals softer and more powdery, while dry skin heals crisper.
Correction work over old PMU may require multiple sessions.
Fading can happen due to:
Normal skin regeneration
Infection or allergic reaction
Incorrect pigment selection
Poor aftercare
Picking scabs
Oily skin pushing pigment out
Most clients retain about 85% of pigment after 4 weeks. Touch-ups are often required.
Use SPF 50 daily on brows
Avoid chemical exfoliants on the area
Avoid laser/IPL treatments on brows
Touch-ups recommended every 9–24 months
Hair-stroke brows typically last 1–3 years
Before
Lips must not be dry (or appointment will be rescheduled).
Exfoliate gently 3 days before.
Use Aquaphor daily the week before.
If prone to cold sores, take antiviral medication + L-lysine.
After
Expect sensitivity, mild swelling, and small scabs for up to 10 days.
Wash gently with mild soap, blot dry, apply ointment twice daily.
Avoid rubbing, picking, makeup, heat, water exposure, gym, sun, and lash treatments.
Sleep slightly elevated for swelling control.
Final color settles in 6 weeks.
Touch-up may be needed.
Visit us at our studio in the heart of Old Town Clovis, CA.
