Permanent Makeup Aftercare – Lips

We all long for beautiful and full rosy lips…few people are so lucky! Redefinition of an irregular lip line can be accomplished with a lip color procedure or restoration of color that has faded.

Pre-Procedural Considerations:

• No alcohol or caffeinated product’s 24 hours before treatment and no aspirin or blood-thinning medication’s five (5) days prior.
• Absolutely no injections of Novocaine should be administered to you ten (10) days before treatment. Please advise m e of any current injections.
• All makeup should be removed and the skin thoroughly cleansed. I prefer you do this before your arrival.
• For optimal results, the skin to be treated should not be irritated. • If you use or have used Retin-A or any other medications, please advise the technician.
• Pain Preparation: Though the sensation of micro pigmentation implantation is minimal, clients respond differently. Some will feel a stronger sensation than others. Overall, procedures require minimal pain preparation. However, some clients use some sort of preparation for the treatment as a mental comfort. Many have taken over-the-counter Tylenol, 30 minutes before treatment. This will not interfere with the procedure. Any physician prescribed pain relieving medication for which you have arranged, should be taken as directed, usually after your arrival at the office. Please advise me of any medications taken. If desired, a dental block can be administered before the procedure. For Full Lip procedures, a dental block may be recommended.
• For clients with any history of cold sores/fever-blister/herpes, even if it was when you were a child, contact your physician and request a prescription for Zovirax, Valtrex or Famvir. Take 2 days before the procedure, the day of the procedure and 2 days after the procedure as directed and repeat on all visits.

Post-Procedure – “After Care”:

The “after care” procedures are as important to the retention of the pigment as the actual implantation process. During this period, the primary objective is to allow the bonding process to be completely sealed inside the dermis. Your compliance will ensure that you receive maximum benefits from the procedure and reduce inconvenient follow-up visits.

Judgment of your results should be deferred until three weeks to one month following the final procedure. Immediately following the procedure, your look may be harsh and painted on looking, but it will soften up and look more natural as you heal. Again, the intensity of the procedure is most prominent following the procedure itself. Over the next 3-7 days, the outer layer of color will appear crusty and start to flake off. Special care should be exercised while the treated area is healing. Under no circumstances should you pick, scratch or rub the treated area or attempt to remove the crusty material. Removing of the crusts may result in the removal of the actual pigment and/or infection may occur. It is important that this protective “cover” stay on during the healing process (three to seven days). As the outer layer flakes off, you will notice that the color is lighter and softer. For the following two weeks, color that was implanted under the skin will move forward. After three weeks, your healing process should be complete.

• After you leave, I recommend that ice packs be applied for 10 to 15 minutes each hour for the first 4-8 hours following the procedure. The ice is used to reduce swelling and provide comfort. After the first 24 hours the use of ice is no longer beneficial. Old wives’ tale: Cooled used tea bags are also good for preventing swelling.
• No soap, cleanser or shampoo on the treated area for seven (7) days. Soap and cleansers are designed to remove any foreign substances. Obviously, this is detrimental to the bonding process required for the pigment to become permanent. Toothpaste and mouthwash are considered “soap” and will remove lip color, so proceed with caution when using.
• All cleansing should be done with a clean Q-tip dipped in cool water and gently dabbed on the treated area. Do not rub the area in any way.
• Apply A & D ointment with a Q-Tip in the procedure area for the first 24 hours. Then for the rest of the week apply Vitamin E oil or Liquid. Apply to the treatment area with a Q-tip several times per day (Do not use mineral oil or petroleum based products such as Vaseline.) This is to be done in a gentle dabbing motion as not to disrupt the pigmentation bonding process. This will keep the area moist and accelerate the healing. Do not let the area dry out, keep moist all times. Check your lips every thirty (30) minutes, re-apply ointment as necessary. Do not press or rub when applying ointment. Apply an extra heavy coat of ointment to the treated area before bedtime, bath, washing of adjacent areas, and immediately upon rising in the morning. If any form of redness, tenderness, drainage, fever or rash occurs, please contact Enhanced Cosmetics or your health care provider immediately!
• Baths and showers are permitted but do not wash, scrub or touch the treatment area. Hot, steamy baths and showers should be avoided completely. After two weeks, you may resume all regular activities.
• When brushing teeth for the first three (3) days, coat lips with a lot of ointment before brushing and use a minimal a mount of toothpaste.
• For the first two (2) days, use a straw when drinking liquids; avoid sandwiches, biting into fruit or foods that might cause friction to the lips. Smoking is discouraged for optimal results.
• o not use any lipstick or cosmetics on or near the treated area for seven (7) days. The procedure, even after the first treatment, looks so natural that you can feel very secure appearing in public without any additional makeup on the affected area. This rule applies also to non-allergic makeup, as it may contain chemicals that interfere with the bonding process. If or whenever you do begin using cosmetics again, invest in a new lipstick to support your new look. This will eliminate the possibility of bacteria breeding in an old container.
• For at least two (2) weeks, you need to minimize exposure to the sun. I discourage swimming in fresh, salt or chlorinated pool water.
• If needed, over-the-counter Tylenol is recommended for temporary relief of pain.
• If you use Retin-A, do not allow it close to the treated area for thirty (30) days. It will cause the area to peel and lighten.
• Since your procedure is facial, I recommend you sleep on a clean satin pillowcase for seven (7) nights. This will minimize the loss of pigmentation caused by rubbing against a cotton, textured pillowcase as you sleep.
• Special care should be exercised while the treated area is healing. Under no circumstances should you pick, scratch or rub the treated area or attempt to remove the crusty material. Removing of the crusts may result in the removal of the actual pigment and/or infection may occur. It is important that this protective “cover” stay on during the healing process (three to six days).
• Always use good health habits.
• If you have any questions after you get home, feel free to call.
• Variations to these recommendations are not encouraged and will most likely affect the final out come of your procedure, if not totally remove the implantations.

*Note*

• Swelling, oozing, and some redness are normal the next day after the procedure for some clients. The use of Benadryl over the counter and keeping your face vertical is helpful.
• Shedding your color and outer epidermal skin is normal during the first 3-4 days following treatment.
• At the end of three weeks, your procedure should be healed. Please contact your technician if you feel that the treatment area needs to be touched up. If this touch up is needed, this is to be done free of charge. Please do not wait any longer than 3-6 weeks after the initial procedure, to have this done, as there could be an additional charge. Should I require a third or additional touch-ups, I understand that there will be an additional charge for that service.
• Should you suspect an infection in or around the procedure area, please contact Enhanced Cosmetics or your health care provider immediately!