the preparation
Proper preparation is key to ensuring a successful Permanent Makeup (PMU) procedure and optimal results. Clients should follow specific guidelines before the procedure to reduce complications, enhance healing, and ensure the best possible outcome. Here’s a list of preparations clients should follow before getting PMU:
1. Consultation and Design Approval
Book a Consultation: Schedule a consultation with your PMU artist to discuss your expectations, the procedure, and any concerns you may have. This allows the artist to evaluate your skin, medical history, and decide on the best technique and pigment.
Design Mapping: The artist will design your brows, eyeliner, or lips, often drawing them on first. Make sure to provide feedback and ensure you're happy with the shape, color, and style before starting the procedure.
2. Stop Using Certain Medications and Supplements
Certain medications and supplements can interfere with the healing process or cause excessive bleeding. Here's what to avoid:
Blood Thinners (e.g., Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Vitamin E, Fish Oil, and Ginkgo Biloba): These can increase bleeding during the procedure, affecting pigment application and healing.
Accutane (Isotretinoin): If you've used Accutane in the past year, wait at least 6 months before getting PMU. Accutane thins the skin and affects healing, which can cause complications.
Other Medications: If you take any medication for blood pressure, heart conditions, or other chronic illnesses, check with your doctor to ensure they won’t interfere with the procedure.
3. Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine
Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol for 24-48 hours before the procedure. Alcohol can thin the blood, increase bleeding, and interfere with pigment retention.
Caffeine: Limit caffeine intake (coffee, tea, energy drinks) on the day of your procedure. Caffeine can increase your heart rate, make you feel jittery, and may affect pigment absorption.
4. Prepare Your Skin
Avoid Chemical Peels and Laser Treatments: Don't undergo chemical peels, laser treatments, or any intense skin resurfacing procedures 4-6 weeks before your PMU appointment. These can make the skin more sensitive and affect pigment absorption.
5. Avoid Sun Exposure and Tanning
Sunburns: Avoid sun exposure and tanning for 2 weeks before your appointment. Sunburned skin is more sensitive, and it’s difficult to work with damaged skin.
Tanning Beds: Refrain from using tanning beds for at least 6 weeks prior to the procedure.
6. Hydrate and Maintain Healthy Skin
Hydrate Your Skin: Drink plenty of water and apply a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated, especially the area where you’ll be getting the PMU. Dry skin can cause the pigment to heal unevenly.
Healthy Skin Care Routine: Avoid harsh products like retinols or glycolic acid, which can cause skin irritation or make the skin thinner. Stick to a gentle skincare routine leading up to the procedure.
7. DO NOT Shave or Trim Eyebrows
If you’re getting eyebrow PMU, do not trim or shape your natural brows before the appointment. Do not tweeze or wax the area 24 hours before your appointment, as it can make the skin more sensitive. Your artist will map out the shape for you.
8. Avoid Waxing or Threading the Area
Eyebrows: If you’re getting eyebrow PMU, avoid waxing or threading the area for at least 2 weeks before the appointment. Waxing and threading can irritate the skin and cause inflammation, making it difficult for the pigment to take properly.
9. Wear Comfortable Clothing
Wear comfortable clothing, especially if you're getting PMU on the eyebrows or eyeliner, as you may need to lie down for a period. Avoid tight-fitting clothing that could irritate your skin or disturb the procedure.
10. Have Realistic Expectations
Understand the Healing Process: Be prepared for some redness, swelling, or discomfort in the initial days following your PMU. The full results can take 4-6 weeks to settle, and your PMU artist will likely schedule a touch-up session to refine the design and color after healing.
Understand the Results: Keep in mind that the final color and shape may appear slightly different during the healing phase. The pigment will fade somewhat and soften, so don’t be alarmed if it looks darker or sharper immediately after the procedure.
11. Consider Pain Management
Topical Numbing Cream: Most PMU artists will apply a numbing cream or gel to the treatment area before starting, but if you're concerned about pain, ask about the pain management process beforehand.
Pain Tolerance: Understand that the level of pain varies from person to person. If you have a low pain threshold, discuss pain management options with your technician.
12. Do not Bring a Friend
No children, pets, or additional guests are allowed in the studio due to hazardous materials and cross-contamination.
Drivers may wait in their car, drop you off and pick you up.
Translators are allowed.
13. Plan for Healing Time
Schedule Wisely: Plan your PMU appointment around your schedule so you have time to heal. Avoid scheduling events like vacations, important meetings, or big social gatherings right after your procedure, as swelling and redness can occur.
14. Follow the Aftercare Instructions
Once the procedure is complete, you'll receive aftercare instructions. These are crucial for ensuring proper healing and long-lasting results. Make sure to follow them carefully:
Avoid touching the area or picking at any scabs.
Keep the area clean and dry, avoiding water and excessive sweating during the initial healing phase.
Apply healing ointments as directed by your PMU artist.
Proper preparation before a PMU procedure can make a big difference in the results and healing process. The key is to ensure your skin is healthy and ready, avoid certain medications and products, and follow pre-procedure guidelines for a smoother experience. Communicate clearly with your artist, and make sure to give yourself enough time to heal. By doing so, you’ll ensure a successful PMU procedure with beautiful, long-lasting results!
the after care
Proper aftercare is essential for ensuring the best results after a Permanent Makeup (PMU) procedure, whether you’re getting eyebrow tattoos, eyeliner tattoos, or lip blush tattoos. The healing process can take 4-6 weeks, and following the recommended aftercare guidelines will help avoid complications like infection, uneven pigment retention, and scarring.
Here’s a detailed PMU aftercare guide to ensure optimal healing:
1. Keep the Area Clean and Dry
First 24-48 Hours: Cleanliness is crucial. Use a gentle, non-alcoholic cleanser (like saline solution or a mild, fragrance-free soap) to gently cleanse the area. Pat the area dry with a clean tissue or towel—don’t rub.
Avoid Water: Try not to wet the treated area during the first 3-7 days. Avoid swimming, saunas, and steam rooms as moisture and sweat can interfere with healing and cause pigment loss.
2. Avoid Touching the Area
Hands Off: Refrain from touching, scratching, or picking at the treated area to prevent infection. Your hands carry bacteria, and touching the area can introduce harmful germs.
Avoid Makeup: Don’t apply makeup to the treated area during the healing process. This helps prevent irritation and ensures the pigment heals properly.
3. Moisturize and Apply Healing Ointment
Apply Aftercare Ointment: After the procedure, your artist will typically provide a healing ointment or recommend one. Apply a rice grain amount of ointment as directed. This helps to keep the area moist, prevents scabbing, and promotes healing.
Avoid Over-moisturizing: While moisturizing is important, avoid applying too much product, as it can clog the pores and hinder the skin’s ability to heal.
Avoid Strong Creams: Stay away from products containing fragrances, alcohol, or retinols, as these can irritate the skin and interfere with healing.
4. Avoid Sun Exposure
Keep Out of the Sun: For at least 2-4 weeks, avoid direct sun exposure. UV rays can fade the pigment, cause scarring, or irritate healing skin. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your eyebrows or eyeliner if you're out in the sun.
Sunscreen: Once the healing is complete (after 2-4 weeks), you can apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) to the area to protect your PMU and prevent fading from UV exposure.
5. Avoid Sweating
Limit Exercise: Avoid intense physical activity, hot yoga, and anything that causes excessive sweating for at least 7-10 days post-procedure. Sweat can interfere with the healing process and affect the pigment.
Avoid High Heat: Steer clear of hot showers, steam, or any source of direct heat during the healing process to prevent irritation.
6. Do Not Pick or Scratch the Treated Area
Let It Flake Naturally: During the healing process, scabbing or flaking may occur. Allow this to happen naturally without picking or scratching at the area, as this can remove pigment or cause scarring.
Don’t Peel: Resist the temptation to peel off any scabs or flakes, as this can cause uneven healing and affect the final look of your PMU.
7. Sleep on Your Back
Sleeping Position: For the first few days, try to sleep on your back to avoid putting pressure on the treated area. This reduces the risk of smudging, rubbing, or irritating the PMU during sleep.
8. Avoid Facial Treatments
No Facial Scrubs, Waxing, or Threading: Avoid waxing, threading, or facials (including chemical peels and microdermabrasion) around the treated area for 3-4 weeks.
Avoid Botox or Fillers: If you’re planning to get Botox or dermal fillers, wait until after the healing period (at least 2-3 weeks) to ensure that the PMU healing process isn’t disrupted.
9. Don't Use Active Skin Care Ingredients
Avoid Retinoids and AHA: Avoid using retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or other exfoliating products on the treated area for at least 2-4 weeks. These ingredients can irritate the skin, cause peeling, and result in uneven pigment retention.
10. Follow-Up Appointment (Touch-Up)
Healing Check: After the initial healing period (typically 6-8 weeks), you’ll likely need a touch-up session with your PMU artist. During this appointment, the artist will assess how well the pigment has healed and add any necessary touch-ups for areas where the pigment may have faded or where shape adjustments are needed.
Healing Stages to Expect
Days 1-3 (Initial Healing): Expect some swelling, redness, and a slight crust. This is normal, as your skin is beginning to heal. The area may appear darker or more intense than expected.
Days 4-7 (Flaking and Peeling): The skin may begin to flake and peel as the surface layer heals. Avoid picking at the flakes—let them fall off naturally. The pigment may look lighter during this phase.
Week 2-3 (Softening and Settling): The scabs should have fallen off by now, and the pigment will appear more natural and softer. Some areas might appear patchy or lighter at this stage, but this is normal as the pigment settles.
Week 4-6 (Final Results): By the end of 4-6 weeks, the final color and shape will reveal themselves. At this stage, you should have a good idea of how the PMU will look long-term, and any necessary adjustments can be made during your touch-up appointment.
Things to Keep in Mind
Healing Time: The full healing time for PMU is usually around 6-8 weeks. Your skin will go through various stages, and patience is important during this time.
Results May Vary: Everyone heals differently. Some people may have more swelling or scabbing than others, and some may experience better pigment retention or require additional touch-ups.
Follow Artist’s Instructions: Always follow your PMU artist's aftercare instructions to ensure the best results. Every artist may have slightly different recommendations depending on their technique and the pigment used.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If you experience any of the following, contact your PMU artist or a medical professional:
Severe swelling or redness that doesn't subside.
Unusual pain, tenderness, or warmth around the treated area.
Pus or discharge (a sign of infection).
Severe allergic reaction (rash, hives, or difficulty breathing).
PMU aftercare is crucial to achieving the best possible outcome. Keep the area clean, moisturized, and protected from the sun and excess moisture. Avoid touching, picking, or irritating the area, and be patient as the healing process unfolds. Following these guidelines will help ensure that your PMU heals beautifully and lasts as long as possible, giving you the stunning results you expect!
