Habiba MedYour appointment is coming up? Here's how to prepare for a beautiful result, how the permanent makeup procedure works step by step, what you'll feel, and what changes depending on the area: brows, lips or freckles.
Key takeaways
- Prep matters: no retinol, acids or tanning on the area before the session.
- The day before: avoid alcohol, caffeine, aspirin and ibuprofen.
- The appointment often lasts 2 to 3 hours: a tattoo is never rushed.
- It shouldn't hurt: at most, a feeling of warmth.
Before the session: the timeline
| Before the session | |
|---|---|
| For everyone | In the days before: no retinol, acids, scrubs or peels on the area, no tanning or self-tanner. The day before: no alcohol, caffeine, aspirin or ibuprofen, which thin the blood. On the day: clean, healthy skin. |
| Brows | You can come wearing makeup: if you like the shape of your usual makeup, it helps the artist see it. Acne-prone skin: treat the acne before the session. |
| Lips | Very well-moisturized lips (petroleum jelly) in the days before, and a gentle scrub the day before. Cold sores: your preventive treatment, prescribed by your doctor. No filler in the 8 weeks before. |
| Freckles | Clean skin, with no makeup or henna on the area, and no tan, so the right color can be chosen. |
When to postpone your appointment
- Your skin is flaring up on the area (acne, eczema, rosacea…).
- You have an active cold sore (lips).
- You had lip filler less than 8 weeks ago.
- You have a sunburn or a tan on the area.
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding.
The permanent makeup procedure, step by step
1The consultation
You talk about what you want. The artist asks about your health and looks at your skin.
2The drawing
She draws the shape with a pencil or a pen. You approve it in the mirror: nothing starts without your OK.
3Color
She chooses the shade with you using color theory, sometimes by testing it on the skin.
4Comfort
Depending on the area and the artist, a numbing cream may be applied. Let her know if you're allergic to lidocaine.
5Tattooing
The pigment is applied with a light touch, layer after layer.
- 6
Aftercare instructions
At the end of the session, she explains how to care for the area. Feel free to take a photo of the instructions.
Does permanent makeup hurt?
Permanent makeup shouldn't hurt. At most, a feeling of warmth or a sunburn-like sensation. Real pain or bleeding isn't normal: it's a sign that the artist is going too deep.
Numbing cream
Some artists use it, especially for lips. Never apply any on your own before the appointment without asking her.
Right after: what you see in the mirror
Right after, the result is darker than the final result, and the area may be a little red. That's normal and goes away quickly.
What changes depending on the area
| Area | The session | Right after |
|---|---|---|
| Brows | About 2 to 3 hours for the appointment | Redness, a little tenderness, and a result darker than the final one |
| Lips | About 3 hours, numbing gel often used | Swelling that goes down 70% within 2 hours, the rest within the day, and lips that feel warm |
| Freckles | About 1.5 hours for the appointment from start to finish, including 15 to 20 minutes of tattooing for a size S | Slight swelling and redness |
Details by area: powder brows, lip blush, freckle tattoos.
Choosing the right time
Outside summer
Sun is off-limits for 1 month after the session: fall and winter are ideal.
Before an event
Allow at least 2 to 3 months before a wedding: healing, touch-up, final result.
Before a vacation
No pool, ocean or sun right after: move your appointment.
Protect yourself from the sun all year round
Whatever the time of year, you always need to protect yourself from the sun: for your skin, but also to maintain the work.
Planning for the days after
For about ten days: no water on the area (depending on the area), no intense workouts, no sauna or pool, and no touching the scabs. It's all in permanent makeup aftercare and the PMU healing process.
Frequently asked questions
Yes: the artist removes it. It even helps her see the shape you like.
Often 2 to 3 hours for brows or lips, including the consultation, drawing and color.
No, it shouldn't hurt: at most, a feeling of warmth. Real pain or bleeding isn't normal.
It's best to avoid caffeine the day before and on the day itself: it thins the blood.
No aspirin or ibuprofen the day before. Ask your artist.
Any time but summer, because sun is off-limits for 1 month after the session.
No. For lips, about 70% goes down within 2 hours, the rest within the day (up to 48 hours with a lot of hyaluronic acid).
Written by
Habiba Med
Permanent makeup artist since 2019 and trainer, I share what I see every day in my studio to help you make the right choices.
