Before your appointment
Pre-care
I’ll do my part — you do yours. A little preparation means less bruising and swelling, a more comfortable session, and beautifully healed results.
Consultation & patch test
Before any procedure we’ll have a consultation to discuss the treatment and confirm you’re a suitable candidate, plus a patch test to rule out any reaction to the pigment — done at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Avoid before your appointment
- No caffeine for 24 hours (including tea, coffee — even decaf — and pre-workout)
- No alcohol for 24 hours
- No blood thinners such as aspirin or ibuprofen
- No vitamin E or fish oil
Cold sores & lip treatments: if you’ve ever had a cold sore, the needle can trigger an outbreak. You’ll need antiviral medication (e.g. Aciclovir, available from an online pharmacy) for 5 days before and 5 days after a lip blush or lip neutralisation.
These steps reduce bleeding, bruising and swelling — making you more comfortable and helping the pigment heal and stay put.
If you have other facial treatments
- Waxing, tinting, threading or electrolysis — at least 4 days before
- Botox — at least 4 weeks before
- Facials or chemical peels — at least 4 days before
- No Retin-A or retinols for 30 days before facials
Your health comes first
You won’t be able to receive semi-permanent makeup if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are under 18
- Have diabetes
- Have a flaring skin disease in the area (psoriasis, eczema)
- Take blood-thinning medication (e.g. aspirin, warfarin)
- Have a transmittable blood condition (HIV, Hepatitis)
- Have haemophilia, a healing disorder or uncontrolled blood pressure
- Take skin medications such as Accutane or steroids
- Have active skin cancer
- Are undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy (consult your doctor)
- Have epilepsy
- Have a pacemaker or major heart problems
- Had Botox within the past month
To make your experience better
- Drink plenty of water so your skin is hydrated
- Take arnica before and after to help with swelling and bruising
- Keep lips well moisturised in the week before a lip appointment
- If your brows are very untidy, book a wax at least 4 days ahead (we can do your consultation and patch test then too)
- Read up on the healing process so you know what to expect, and plan around any big occasions
Numbing cream
UK law no longer allows SPMU artists to apply numbing cream for clients, so please buy your own and apply a thick layer 20 minutes before your appointment. I recommend Emla, available from Boots, Superdrug or any pharmacy.
If you’re allergic to Emla we can still go ahead — some clients use none at all and stay comfortable. It comes down to your personal threshold.