You will achieve much better results if you prepare your skin for your Permanent Makeup procedure. The area must be healthy, strong, non-sensitive and non-irritated.
Anticoagulants lengthen the time it takes your blood to clot. Anti-platelet drugs, such as aspirin and Ibuprofen prevent your blood from clotting, causing the treatment area to bleed more, the pigment will be pushed out of the skin, causing a risk of over working the skin and will be less comfortable.
- Do not drink alcohol 24 hours before your tattoo
- Do not consume coffee/tea/herbal tea before your procedure
- Do not take any aspirin or ibuprofen for pain relief (this thins the blood)
* Please check with your GP if you are on any medication that may cause blood thinning*
Here’s how to get your skin ready your procedure:
- Do not have Filler/Botox 3 weeks prior (can symmetry)
- Please, no makeup on the day of treatment
If you suffer with Cold Sores the trauma caused by Micropigmentation can cause an outbreak. To help minimise a cold Sore outbreak I recommend getting a prescription from your GP for Aciclovir tablets and cream. I recommend start to use the pills on the day of the treatment. Using Aciclovir antiviral cream will also help reduce symptoms.
24 – 12 hours before
Exfoliate the area thoroughly the day before your treatment. This ensures dead skin cells have been removed so the pigment is only implanted into new skin layers making it more even and longer lasting.
To Minimise Discomfort:
- Try to get a good night sleep before your treatment this will help you relax and make the treatment more comfortable.
- Drink lots of water – this allows the skin to accept the ink more easily, without thinning the blood.
On the day:
Have a good breakfast on the day of your treatment, this increases your stamina as treatments like Permanent Makeup burn a lot of calories.
Paracetamol reduces pain and helps reduce inflammation so if you’re worried take two before or after your treatment.
Allergies
A variety of products will come into contact with the skin during the treatment including , wax pencil, baby wipes, cling film, latex gloves, numbing cream, pigment. I have never seen an allergic reaction to any of these but please be prepared to declare all allergies before your treatment as I can then use an alternative product where possible.
Numbing Products
I use Pre-numb creams and numbing products throughout your treatment to ease any discomfort, this only lasts around 20-40 minutes. Soon after your treatment, the area may feel sensitive or bruised. I recommend applying a dry ice pack or ice wrapped in paper towels or a tea towel to reduce any swelling and soothe the area. Paracetamol will ease any discomfort but avoid Ibuprofen for around 6 hours as this could cause the area to swell.
Other things to consider:
Pigment stains – I recommend wearing dark tops where possible.
I don’t have much space in my treatment room so please limit to 1 friend or family member joining you where possible.
My treatment room is cleaned before and after every procedure I consider it a sterile environment so do not allow pets (other than Assistant Dogs for disabled).
After Your Procedure
The day of the treatment:
Gently blot the area with clean tissue to absorb excess lymph fluid. Do this every 5 minutes for the full day until oozing has stopped. Removing this fluid helps minimise hardening of the lymph (scabbing). Apply the after care balm provided, using a clean cotton bud (do not double dip!).
Days 1-7:
Wipe with damp cotton wool or tissue daily to remove bacteria and dead skin. (Don’t worry….THIS DOES NOT REMOVE THE PIGMENT!) Apply aftercare balm throughout the day. The lips will feel swollen and the pigment colour will be at least 50% stronger for 1-2 days. As the area heals the skin will tighten and dry, feeling chapped. Continue applying the aftercare balm to moisture the area. The lips will be superficially healed within 5 days, longer if you have developed cold sores.
Keep your Tattoo Goo Balm handy to apply if your lips become dry or itchy whilst healing. It will also help retain the pigment and make the treatment last longer.
Your lip treatment will look darker for the first two days, as the top layers of skin come away the pigment will then seem lighter, but will then push through again. As the pigment ages it is common to notice the colour change, sometimes the tone can seem cooler other times it can look warmer, it is important to return with 1.5-3 years for a colour boost treatment to restore the colour.
Additional Tips To Aid Fast Healing:
- Take Zinc supplements to aid healing or eat foods high in zinc such as red meat and Chicken.
- Use a fresh pillowcase.
- Let any scabbing or dry skin naturally exfoliate away. Picking can cause scarring or loss of pigment and patchy healed results.
- No facials, Botox, chemical treatments or microdermabrasion for 4 weeks after treatment.
- Avoid hot, sweaty exercise for two weeks.
- Avoid direct sun exposure or tanning for 4 weeks after procedure.
- Wear a hat when outdoors where possible.
- Avoid heavy sweating and long hot showers for the first 7 days.
- Avoid sleeping on your face for the first 5 days
- Avoid swimming and chlorinated hot tubs for the first four weeks.
- Avoid topical makeup including sunscreen on the area for the first two weeks.
- DO NOT rub, pick or scratch the treated area.
Showering:
Limit your showers to 5 minutes so you do not create too much steam. Keep your face out of the water while you wash your body, then, at the end of your shower, wash your hair. Your face should only be getting wet at the very last end of the shower. Avoid excessive rinsing and hot water on the treated area.
What to expect:
A day or 2 following the treatment the area will look a lot darker than anticipated, this is the initial healing stage and should only last 1-3 days, once the skin begins to heal the colour will fade sometimes it may even disappear, don’t panic as often by week 4 the pigment reappears.
But remember everyone heals differently!
The second part of your procedure should be booked between 4-8 weeks after your first.
Once healed your Micropigmentation should last 1-5 years dependant on your skin and lifestyle.
REMEMBER: You are unable to donate blood for up to 12 months following Micropigmentation Procedure