Caring For Your Permanent Cosmetics

Prior to Your Appointment

Avoid sun or tanning two weeks prior to your appointment.

Stop use of any skin thinners such as Vitamin A, glycolic acids, and chemical exfoliators two weeks prior.

Botox or fillers in the brow area should be done at least three weeks prior to your appointment.

Waxing and brow shaping should be done at least two days before.

No aspirin, alcohol, caffeine or any blood thinners the day of or before your appointment as these can increase the amount of bleeding and swelling.

Healing Schedule - What To Expect

Eyebrows

Day 1: Your eyebrows are 20% to 40% darker and bolder in width than when healed. Your skin is red under the pigment which will cause the pigment to appear darker. There may be some swelling that will subside. Exfoliation will begin in a few days which will cause the excess pigment surrounding the brow to flake away, giving that more narrow appearance. New skin will heal over the pigmented area and result in a softer appearing brow. Do not be concerned that your brows are darker and heavier than you desire when leaving your appointment. This is all part of the process.

Day 2: Conditions remain the same.

Day 3: Eyebrows will start to itch and appear a bit thicker in texture. Exfoliation begins.

Day 4: The skin starts to flake from the outside edges first.

Day 5: Color finishes flaking off and appears softer and grayer for a few days until the color clarifies.

NOTE: Permanent cosmetics procedures are affected by the canvas (your skin) that they are performed on. If your skin is sun damaged, thick and uneven in texture, or excessively dry or oily, the result cannot be expected to be perfect after the initial procedure. Lifestyle, medications, smoking, metabolism, facial surgery and age of the skin all contribute to fading. Touch-ups are needed about a month after your initial procedure to ensure the best result. Your procedure maintenance is very important. All clients are sent home with aftercare instructions. After the final procedure, yearly touch-ups are necessary to maintain the result.

Eyeliner

Day 1: Swollen, like you've been crying with a heavier eye makeup appearance.

Day 2: Swollen, usually for only a few hours after waking up, with the same heavier eye makeup look continuing.

Day 3: Swelling decreases with a tight feeling. The pigment begins to lift away from the skin.

Day 4: There is a "pinching" feeling. Some itching is normal as the skin begins to flake.

Day 5: Do NOT pick at flaking pigment.

Day 6: Blinking movements of the eye usually removes all pigment by this day. Color is somewhat grayish and will take a few days to clarify to full color.

Aftercare

Aftercare is a crucial aspect of your permanent cosmetics. Following these instructions will insure proper healing and pigment retention for your best results. Your permanent cosmetics will not heal perfectly after the first session; this is a multi-step process and takes time. The healing period lasts around 4-6 weeks, and we do not do touch-ups before you are healed.

Eyebrows

Keep area lightly moist using a Q-Tip and 1% Hydrocortisone Creme a.m. and p.m. for 3-4 days as needed for redness, swelling and itching. If a slight crust appears on the pigmented surface, do not force remove by picking, scratching, or washing!
Use the packet of sterile Vaseline ointment given to you when washing your face or showering.

NOTE: Brows are not considered healed until all crusting has exfoliated.

Do not use topical antibiotics!
Do not be alarmed if color comes off onto the Q-Tip when applying your topical, this is normal.
For longterm care, use a sunscreen daily, and never use moisturizer or makeup within 1/2 inch of the brow.

To Avoid Until Healed

Soaps, facial cleansers and water on pigmented area. Wash around the area.
Makeup on pigmented area until healed.
Retin A and glycolic acids on pigmented areas while healing.
Touching with fingers.
Sunscreens.
Sun exposure, tanning beds and self tanners on pigmented area.
Chlorine pools, jacuzzis or saunas.
Hot, steamy long showers. Shower with your back to the water to avoid water, shampoo and conditioner getting onto pigmented area, (a thin layer of Vaseline over tattoo is a good idea before showering).
Sweat (gym) and dirt (gardening) for the first week to prevent possible infection.

Eyeliner

Moderate swelling the first day. An enclosed ice bag should be applied for the first day - 10 minutes on, then 10 minutes off. Sleeping propped up on your back will help reduce swelling.
Avoid foods high in sodium for a few days as this can increase puffiness around the eyes.
The night of the procedure, use Refresh eye drops.
Wash eyes the first morning following your procedure with water and pat very lightly to dry.
Keep the upper eyeliner only slightly moist using a Q-Tip with the sterile vaseline given to you as needed for five to seven days. Nothing other than sterile vaseline should be used!
Do not be alarmed if color comes off onto the Q-Tip when applying your Vaseline, this is normal!

To Avoid Until Healed

No contact lenses, wear your glasses the day of procedure.
Chlorine pools, Retin A and glycolic acids.
Chlorine pools, jacuzzis, saunas, terry towels.
Hot, steamy long showers. Shower with your back to the water to avoid water, shampoo and conditioner getting onto pigmented area, (a thin layer of Vaseline over tattoo is a good idea before showering).
All aloe and vitamin E products.
Too much Vaseline. If you can see it, you have too much on. Only re-apply when the eyelid area begins to feel tight.
No mascara for one week.

Here is a printable PDF of our Aftercare Instructions