Skip caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours before. Both thin the blood and can make the skin more sensitive.
If your doctor agrees, pause blood thinners, aspirin, fish oil, vitamin E and ibuprofen for 48 hours before. Never stop prescribed medication without asking your GP first.
Stop retinol, vitamin C, glycolic or AHA acids, exfoliants and peels on the area for 1 to 2 weeks before.
No brow wax or colour, or lash treatments in the area, for about a week before.
Leave about 4 weeks after anti-wrinkle injections or filler in the area. Around the brows they can shift where the brows sit, so a shape mapped before that has settled may end up uneven; near the lips they change the shape we would be working to.
Lip blush: if you are prone to cold sores, ask your pharmacist or GP for an antiviral and start it 2 to 3 days before, continuing a few days after.
Come with clean skin and no makeup on the area. Eat beforehand and drink water so you are comfortable.
Aftercare
Wash your hands before you touch the area or apply balm.
Keep it clean and dry. If it gets wet, blot gently with a clean, damp pad. Never rub.
Apply the aftercare balm we give you sparingly, with a clean cotton bud rather than your fingers, as directed.
No makeup, skincare or active ingredients on the area for about 10 days.
Let it heal on its own. Do not pick, scratch or peel any flaking. The colour looks darker at first and settles over 4 to 6 weeks.
Change your pillowcase often and sleep on your back if you can.
No swimming, saunas, steam rooms, spas or heavy sweating for 2 weeks. Keep direct sun and tanning beds off the area for 2 weeks, then use SPF.
For 30 days, keep peels, fruit acids, microdermabrasion, laser, light therapy, injectables and regenerative creams off the treated area.
Tell us if you are on antibiotics or hormonal medication, which can change how the colour settles. Never stop prescribed medication for a treatment.
Tell any facialist about your cosmetic tattoo before peels, microneedling or laser. Contact us if you notice spreading redness, heat, swelling or discharge.
Brows
In the first hour, wipe them gently with a cotton pad soaked in the sterile saline from your aftercare pack, let them air dry, and repeat three times.
From the next day: clean gently with saline, then a very thin layer of balm, morning and night.
Wipe them with saline after every shower. Shower water is not sterile, and getting it off them is what keeps an infection unlikely.
For 7 days keep off heavy exercise and sweating, swimming and facial massage, and do not sleep face down.
What you will see: day 1 slightly red, day 2 the colour darkens, days 1 to 7 itchy and flaking, days 8 to 14 faded and patchy, days 14 to 20 the strokes come back defined.
Your second session comes at least 4 weeks later, once it has settled. That is when the shape and colour are adjusted.
Lip blush
Days 1 to 3: wipe every few hours with a cotton pad soaked in the sterile saline from your aftercare pack, and put nothing else on them, no balm and no cream.
Days 4 to 7: wipe, let them air dry, then a thin layer of balm three times a day.
Keep them moving from the start. Slowly mouth A, O and E a few times through the day. They feel tight and you will not want to, but moving them helps them heal and makes a cold sore less likely.
Sip through a straw and avoid spicy, salty or very hot food for about 5 days, and no kissing for 5 days.
If you are prone to cold sores, take the antiviral your doctor prescribed.
Let them flake on their own, keep them out of direct sun, and skip strenuous exercise for 5 days.
For the first 2 weeks after they heal, colourless balm only and no dark lipstick.
Eyeliner
Nothing on the eyes while they heal: no cream, no makeup, no mascara.
No running water over the eyes for 7 days. You can cleanse around them, but keep off the lash line.
No contact lenses for 24 hours.
Lash extensions, mascara, perms and tints wait 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how yours heals. Ask us if you are unsure.
Let the scabs come away on their own. Do not scrub, pick or scratch.
Keep away from saunas, steam, hot tubs, swimming, wind and sun. Sunglasses help outdoors.
This is general guidance. You will get aftercare tailored to you at your appointment. It does not replace medical advice, so if you have a health condition or any concern, please check with your GP.
Questions before you book?
If you are not sure how to prepare, or whether a treatment suits you, just ask. We are happy to talk it through.
