Healing & Care
Pre-Care Guide for Semi-Permanent Makeup Services
Preparing for your semi-permanent makeup service properly is essential to achieving the best results.
Here are some steps to follow before your appointment:
General Pre-care
Hydration and Moisturization:
Leading up to your appointment, hydrate your body by drinking
plenty of water and moisturize the area to be treated daily. This will help your skin be in the best
possible condition for the procedure.
Avoid Sun Exposure:
Too much sun exposure can affect the healing process. Try to avoid direct
sunlight (long periods of tanning) for 48 hours before your procedure.
Healthy Lifestyle:
Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can
help your body heal better post-procedure.
Eyebrow Pre-care
Brow Shaping:
If you regularly get your eyebrows waxed, threaded, or tinted, please do so at least 72
hours before your procedure.
Avoid Exfoliation:
Do not exfoliate the brow area for at least 48 hours before your appointment.
Lip Pre-care
Hydrated Lips:
Keep your lips moisturized leading up to your procedure. Dry, chapped lips may
affect the results of your lip blush procedure.
Cold Sores:
If you have ever had cold sores, it is recommended that you take an antiviral at least one
week prior to your appointment as the treatment may trigger an outbreak, or however is recommended
by your doctor.
Eyeliner Pre-care
Remove Contact Lenses:
If you wear contact lenses, they should be removed before the procedure.
Avoid Mascara:
Do not wear mascara for 48 hours before your procedure. It's important to have your
natural lashes clean and free from cosmetic residue.
**Medications and Supplements**
Avoid Blood Thinners:
If possible, avoid taking blood-thinning medications and supplements, such
as aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, Vitamin E, for 48 hours before your procedure. However, do not stop
taking prescribed medications without first consulting your doctor.
Alcohol and Caffeine:
Avoid alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours before the procedure as they can lead
to increased bleeding which can affect the results.
**Note:**
Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your
medication or supplement regimen.
This pre-care guide is designed to help you achieve the best results from your semi-permanent
makeup service. Follow these steps and look forward to beautiful, lasting results!
AFTERCARE
Aftercare Guide for Semi-Permanent Makeup Services
Taking proper care of your skin after your semi-permanent makeup procedure ensures the best healing
and longevity of color. Here's how you can care for your skin following the procedure:
General Aftercare
Avoid Sun and Sauna:
For at least two weeks post-procedure, avoid direct sun exposure, tanning
beds, saunas, and excessively hot showers. Your skin needs time to heal, and these can impede the
process.
Don't Pick or Rub:
Resist the urge to pick or rub the treated area as it heals. This could cause scarring or removal of pigment.
Avoid Swimming:
Chlorine and other chemicals in swimming pools and hot tubs can cause your semi-permanent makeup to fade prematurely.
Eyebrow Aftercare
Avoid Makeup: Do not apply makeup to the eyebrow area for at least a week. This includes foundation, powder, and eyeshadow.
Products to Avoid:
Any retinoids, AHA, BHA, chemical peels and intense exfoliants directly on the area to reduce the chances of dulling the vibrancy of pigment.
Use Recommended Products: Your technician may provide or recommend a specific product to aid in healing and maintain the pigment. Use as directed.
Lip Aftercare
Keep Hydrated:
Drink plenty of water to keep your lips moisturized from the inside.
Use Lip Balm:
Apply a healing lip balm as advised by your technician. Avoid using lipstick for at least one week.
Avoid:
Greasy and spicy foods until all the shedding is complete. Nothing directly on the lips, this includes kissing!
Eyeliner Aftercare
Avoid Mascara:
Do not use mascara for at least 3-5 days, and when you do start using it again, ensure it's a new one to avoid infection.
Avoid Rubbing:
Do not rub your eyes, especially when washing your face or removing makeup.
**Medications and Supplements**
Avoid Blood Thinners:
If possible, continue to avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements for a few days post-procedure. This can help to minimize any potential bruising or swelling in the treated areas.
Pain Management:
If you experience discomfort post-procedure, use over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen as they can thin the blood and affect the healing process. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication or supplement regimen. Remember, healing times and results can vary for everyone. It's normal to experience some color fading—up to 50%—during the healing process. A touch-up appointment may be necessary to achieve your desired results. Please follow these aftercare instructions and contact your specialist if you have any concerns or questions.
What to Expect During the Healing Process
The healing process for semi-permanent makeup varies from person to person and depends on the specific procedure.
Here's a general guide on what you can expect during your recovery: General Healing Process
Immediate Aftermath:
Right after the procedure, the treated area may appear bolder and darker than expected. This is completely normal, and the intensity of color will decrease as you heal.
Swelling and Redness:
Mild swelling, redness, or tenderness in the treated area is common for the first few days.
Flaking and Dryness:
Around day 3-7, you may experience flaking, dryness, or even slight itching. These are all normal parts of the healing process. Do not scratch or pick!
Eyebrow Healing Process
Color Changes:
The color of your brows will start to soften and lighten within 10-14 days following the procedure.
Touch-ups:
Once healed (usually around 6-8 weeks), you may need a touch-up appointment to fill in any areas where the pigment didn't take as well or to adjust the shape or color.
Lip Healing Process:
Color Fade:
Your lip color may appear significantly lighter after the first week and then slowly regain color over the next few weeks as your lips heal.
Dryness:
Your lips may feel more dry than usual. Keep them moisturized with the recommended lip balm.
Eyeliner Healing Process:
Swelling:
Some swelling is normal for the first 24-48 hours. Using a cool compress can help reduce it.
Grittiness:
You may feel a slight gritty texture for the first week. This is the scab formation which is part of the healing process.
Touch-ups and Long-term Care
Touch-up Appointments:
After the initial healing phase (roughly 6-8 weeks), a touch-up appointment can be scheduled to address any fading or to make changes to the color and shape.
Color Refresh/Annual Touch Ups:
Over time, your semi-permanent makeup will fade. Depending on factors such as sun exposure, skin type, and lifestyle, age, and products used you might need a color refresh every 1-2 years. Remember, everyone's skin heals differently, and these timelines are approximate. During your healing process, it's important to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your technician. Don't hesitate to contact your technician if you have any concerns or questions.
Healing Process: The healing process for semi-permanent makeup typically involves the formation of a scab or crust over the treated area. This scab helps protect the area while it heals and should not be disturbed. Submerging the area in water can soften and prematurely remove this protective scab, which can delay healing and affect the result of the procedure.
Color Retention: Exposure to water, especially chlorinated water in swimming pools, can cause the color of the semi-permanent makeup to fade faster. This is especially true during the initial healing period when the pigment hasn't fully settled into the skin.
Chemical Irritation: Water in swimming pools or hot tubs often contains chemicals like chlorine that could irritate the treated area and delay healing. Salt water can also dry out the area and potentially cause irritation.
It's crucial to follow all aftercare instructions provided by your technician to ensure the best possible results from your semi-permanent makeup procedure. This typically includes avoiding swimming and other activities that would submerge the treated area in water for a specified period.
How long should I wait to get into a pool after service?
The exact time can vary based on the specific procedure and individual healing rates, but generally, it's recommended to avoid swimming and submerging your face in water for at least 1-2 weeks after receiving semi-permanent makeup.
Why do I have to avoid sun exposure after service, and for how long?
Exposure to sunlight after semi-permanent makeup can have several adverse effects:
Fading: UV rays from the sun can cause the pigment used in semi-permanent makeup to fade more quickly.
Healing Process: Sun exposure can cause the skin to dry out and can interfere with the healing process.
Hyperpigmentation: As the skin heals, it can be more susceptible to discoloration from sun exposure. This could potentially lead to hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) in and around the treated area.
Sunburn: The treated area is more sensitive immediately after the procedure, making it more susceptible to sunburn.
As for how long you should avoid sun exposure, it's generally recommended to avoid direct sunlight for at least 1-2 weeks after the procedure, or until the skin has fully healed. After this period, it's still a good idea to protect the area from sun exposure to maintain the color and longevity of your semi-permanent makeup. You can do this by wearing a hat, using an umbrella, or applying a sunscreen that's safe to use on the treated area (but only after the area has fully healed).
However, the exact duration can vary based on the specific procedure and individual healing rates, so it's best to follow the specific aftercare instructions provided by the professional who performed the procedure.
Why did my eyebrows fade to blue/grey/reddish over time?
Semi-permanent eyebrows, also known as microblading or cosmetic tattooing, can sometimes fade to blue, grey, or red tones for several reasons:
Pigment Selection: The choice of pigment color used during the procedure can affect the eventual color outcome. Some pigments may contain ingredients that are more prone to color shifting or fading, resulting in an unnatural appearance over time.
Skin Undertones: The natural undertones of a person's skin can influence how pigments fade and change color. For example, individuals with cool undertones may experience a bluish or grayish shift as the pigments break down.
Sun Exposure: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause pigments to fade or change color. Overexposure to sunlight without proper protection, such as sunscreen, can accelerate the breakdown of pigments and lead to color shifts.
Skin Chemistry: Each person's skin chemistry is unique, and factors such as pH levels, oil production, and individual healing processes can affect how pigments interact with the skin. This can result in unexpected color changes over time.
Quality of Pigments: The quality and composition of the pigments used can vary among different semi-permanent professionals or studios. Lower quality pigments may be more prone to fading or color shifting compared to higher quality pigment.
Healing Process: During the healing process after service, the skin undergoes various stages of regeneration. As the skin heals, the pigments may appear darker or more vibrant initially, but they can fade or change color as the skin naturally exfoliates and regenerates.
Skin Products: Using retinoids, AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) over the brows and on the skin near the brows can potentially cause color shift or fading of semi-permanent eyebrows. These products are known to exfoliate and accelerate cell turnover, which can impact the longevity and appearance of the pigments.
Retinoids, specifically, are powerful exfoliators that promote skin cell renewal. Regular use of retinoids can expedite the exfoliation process and cause the pigments in the eyebrows to fade more quickly.
AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid, are also exfoliating agents that can increase the turnover of skin cells. If applied directly over the eyebrows, they may lead to faster fading or color alterations.
To minimize the risk of color changes, it's important to choose a skilled and experienced professional who uses high-quality pigments. Additionally, following the aftercare instructions provided by the professional and protecting the eyebrows from excessive sun exposure can help maintain the desired color for a longer period.
I’ve never had a cold sore, why did I get a cold sore after lip blush and how do I care for it?
It is possible for a client to develop a cold sore after a lip blush service due to the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV is a common virus that can cause cold sores or fever blisters, and it is highly contagious. The virus can be dormant in the body and become activated by various triggers, including stress, sun exposure, hormonal changes, or trauma to the lips.
During a lip blush service, the skin of the lips can be irritated or disrupted, which may create an opportunity for the HSV to reactivate and cause a cold sore outbreak. The process of service itself does not directly cause cold sores, but it can be a triggering factor for those already susceptible to the virus.
If a client develops a cold sore after a lip blush service, it is important for them to take proper care to prevent the spread of the virus and promote healing. Here are some guidelines:
Avoid Touching: It's important to avoid touching or picking at the cold sore as it can worsen the condition and increase the risk of spreading the virus to other areas of the lips or face.
Hygiene: Maintain good hygiene by washing hands thoroughly before and after applying any topical treatments to the cold sore and using a q-tip for application. This helps prevent the spread of the virus to other surfaces or individuals.
Over-the-Counter Treatments: Over-the-counter topical creams or ointments containing antiviral ingredients like docosanol or acyclovir can help reduce the duration and symptoms of cold sores. These medications should be applied according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer or a healthcare professional.
Avoid Lip Products: During the outbreak, it is advisable to avoid using lip balms, lipsticks, or other lip products to prevent further irritation or contamination of the cold sore.
Sun Protection: Protect the lips from exposure to sunlight by using a broad-spectrum lip balm with SPF. Sun exposure can trigger or worsen cold sore outbreaks.
Consult a Healthcare Professional: If the cold sore is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and potential prescription antiviral medications.
It's worth noting that individuals who are prone to cold sores may consider taking antiviral medication prescribed by a healthcare professional prior to and after a lip blush service. This can help prevent cold sore outbreaks triggered by the procedure. It's important to discuss this option with a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable course of action based on individual circumstances.
