Permanent makeup, also known as micro pigmentation or cosmetic tattooing, is a cosmetic procedure in which pigment is deposited into the upper dermis of the skin using fine needles. One of the most popular permanent makeup procedures is powder brows.
The procedure is typically done using a specialized cosmetic tattoo handheld machine and a fine needle.. These needles help deposit pigment which can last several years. Since it is an invasive procedure, you must do your research and choose a qualified and experienced practitioner to avoid or minimize any potential complications. It is also important that you do your part to prepare for your upcoming appointment.
If you want fuller-looking brows that appear completely natural, book your appointment for powder brows at least a few weeks in advance to ensure you can take all pre-care precautions.
How To Prepare For Permanent Makeup Treatment?
The better you prepare for your powder brows procedure, the better your results will be. This preparation will also minimize any risk involved in the procedure and even decrease any level of discomfort you may feel during the process.
If you follow all these steps, you will increase your chances of the best and longer-lasting healed results possible.
Here’s all that you need to do hours, weeks, and even months before your appointment:
- Find a good Artist
First thing first, you need to book your appointment, but it requires a little more than just picking up your phone or asking google.
Once you have decided you want powder brows, you need to conduct thorough research to find the best artist in your area. Some things to check would be reviews, and pictures of “healed” results. Fresh before and afters are great but it is the finished, healed brows that matters the most. Also, make sure your artist and facility are both fully licensed by their local health department.
- Schedule a Consultation
Once you have found an artist, the next step is to schedule a phone consultation. This is permanent makeup and you need to make sure you and your artist are on the same page and expectations are realistic. You need to inform the artist about your medical history, any skin conditions, and medications taken because it could affect results.
If there are any pictures you’d like to show your artist for inspiration or if have a preference for style make sure to discuss this also. But know that your brow design will be unique to you, your bone structure, and what we can achieve based on your unique features, skin, and brow hair/texture.
Although rare note that some people may not be the best candidates for this service for many reasons. A good artist should qualify all clients prior to the appointment.
- Avoid Certain Medications
All the medicines that can potentially be used as blood thinners need to be avoided before the appointment. Even painkillers are a no-go for the same purpose since Advil and Ibuprofen can thin out the blood.
This rule takes effect 48 hours before the appointment. When you walk into the salon, make sure you haven’t had any of these drugs for at least 2 days before the appointment:
- Blood thinners such as aspirin, warfarin, and heparin
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen
- Vitamin E supplements (2 weeks prior)
- Fish oil supplements (2 weeks prior)
- St. John’s Wort
Although most clients don’t bleed at all, if a client has sensitive skin taking these precautions will prevent excessive bleeding and make the appointment more manageable for the artist.
You cannot undergo powder brows treatment if you are on Accutane. You’d have to wait at least 1 year after stopping this medication to be considered.
If you need to take a painkiller for any reason Tylenol is approved.
- Skip Certain Treatments
You need to make sure your skin is healthy and robust on the day of your appointment. This means you’d have to postpone all your skin treatments and cancel all your appointments in the month you are scheduled to have your powder brows treatment.
Here’s what you need to avoid 30 days before your appointment:
- Chemical peeling treatment
- Facials (2 weeks prior)
- Laser treatments
- Botox and fillers
- Microdermabrasion
- Sunbathing and spray tans. If you use tanning beds on a regular basis it would mostly disqualify you for Powder Brows due to excessive sun
Excessive sun-damaged skin will disqualify you. Your skin is my canvas and it needs to be healthy and sunscreen needs to be part of the client’s daily skincare routine.
- Alter your Skincare Routine
You may need to make some changes to your daily skincare habits. Wearing sunscreen daily should already be a part of your skincare routine, if it is not, add it. This will protect your skin from sun damage, age spots, wrinkles, etc.
Remove acids, string chemicals, retinol, tretinoin, and other exfoliating and anti-aging products from your skincare routine for at least 30 days before your appointment.
- Make Lifestyle Changes
Start drinking plenty of water if you don’t already. Dehydrated skin can affect your results. The more hydrated your skin the better results you’ll have. Moisturize daily.
Avoid alcohol 2 days prior and coffee on the day of your appointment.
I will not work on heavy nicotine smokers as smoking really affects the health of your skin and can compromise your results. Please be sure to let your artist know. It’s important to be transparent with your artist always.
Get The Long-Lasting, Natural-Looking Brows You Deserve
This list of preparation may seem long but following these tips will help you get the best results and every effort along the way will be worth it.
If you reside in Alameda, CA, you can entirely skip the first step and head straight over to Powder Brows by Claudia. Here, we make sure everyone who walks through our doors is well-informed about preparations and post-care because our priority is your well-being.