If you’ve just had permanent makeup applied, you’re probably excited to spring out of bed all made-up and fresh-faced! But before you show it off to the world, it’s important that you know how to properly care for your post-PMU skin. This will ensure a speedy recovery, prevent any complications and minimise fading. So, whether you’re rocking new eyebrows or a permanent lip blush, let us give you the lowdown on all the do’s and don’ts of post-PMU care.
DON’T Use Harsh Products
As much as you might love your skincare products, it’s essential that you avoid acids and exfoliants in the 10 days after your PMU procedure. This includes anything with salicylic acid, glycolic face masks and even your trusty retinol.
The reality is, these products can irritate the skin and affect pigment retention, ultimately causing pain and redness or fading your brand-new PMU. So, strip back your skincare routine and only use gentle products until your delicate skin is fully healed.
2. DO Keep the Area Clean and Dry
It’s important to remember that getting PMU creates small wounds in the skin. Like any wound, it’s essential they’re kept clean to prevent infection and aid healing. Gently wash the area morning and night with damp cotton pads and a gentle, unscented cleanser. Don’t forget to pat the area dry gently with a clean tissue (not a towel!) afterwards.
It’s best to go bare-faced and avoid applying any makeup. Resist the urge to touch your new PMU with unclean hands and, to stop any bacteria or oil from your hair transferring to the treated area, keep hair tied back for the first few post-PMU days.
3. DON’T Hit the Pool
A seriously important element of PMU aftercare? Avoiding immersing the treated area in water. From swimming pools to hot tubs, keep your face out of water for at least 10 days. The same goes for saunas and even steamy showers; limit your shower time to avoid humid air wetting your skin.
So, although it might be tempting to get PMU just in time for your summer holidays, it’s best to plan ahead and leave plenty of time for everything to heal - before hitting the pool or soaking in the sea.
4. DO Protect From the Sun
One of the biggest culprits of post-PMU complications? The sun! So, in the week after your PMU treatment, avoid direct sunlight or wear a wide-brimmed hat when you’re outside to help everything heal nicely.
Longer term, the sun and UV light in sunbeds can also cause fading. So, if you do use the sun beds, you’ll need to pop on a high-factor SPF. Our top tip? Get a lip salve with SPF factor 30 plus to swipe across your brows or lips whenever you’re catching rays.
5. DON’T Pick at Scabs or Dry Skin
As your PMU heals, it can be tempting to pick at any scabs or pesky patches of dry skin. As tough as it is, avoid any urges to pick, as this could remove the pigment from the treated area and result in your PMU looking patchy or faded.
Also, if you’ve had PMU applied to your eyebrow area, you might feel some itching as new hairs try to push through. As uncomfy as it is, avoid the urge to scratch. Not only could itching affect how your PMU heals, but it could even impact how the hairs grow, creating bald patches in the eyebrows.
6. DO Schedule a Follow-up Appointment
It will take around a month for your skin to fully heal and seal. After 4-6 weeks, an all-important follow-up appointment is needed to check that your skin is looking healthy and assess how it has retained the PMU.
If needed, we can tweak or top up the pigment to get that perfect final look. After this vital step, you’ll have the peace of mind that everything’s healed and healthy - and that you’ll wake up looking fresh-faced for the next 12-18 months!
Are you interested in permanent makeup? At Clinic Ink, we’re experts in PMU for eyebrows, lips and eyes! With years of experience, we can advise how best to care for your new PMU, and are always on hand to answer any questions or concerns. Get in touch today!
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