Having permanent makeup applied is a process that almost always involves a permanent makeup touch-up or follow-up appointment. How do you know if you need a permanent makeup touch-up?
For starters, my policy is to help you make an informed decision by having a thorough consultation before your application appointment. You owe it to yourself to understand the process. It’s how you can set yourself up for the best experience and outcome. A permanent makeup touch-up is indicated when you’re adding makeup daily.
Then, what can you expect after your first application? Typically the area treated will be red to pink, tender with some swelling. Also, the color is generally twice as dark as desired. The initial three days of your healing are about the area producing a “healing cover” that resembles a light crust. If the site is “weeping,” blot the area gently every hour or so. It is expected on the day of your procedure. Blotting prevents a heavy scab from forming. Heavy crusting can cause discomfort, and the color to flake off or heal unevenly.
What is weeping?
Simply put, it is a clear fluid that sometimes has a little blood in it that your body forms to seal up the “open” skin. Think of it as nature’s band-aid. The formation of a scab is not just esthetically unpleasant. Often, as it falls off naturally, it can cause color loss.
Furthermore, for the best results and healthy heal, stay cool, avoid getting hot and sweating for the first three days. This will give the body a chance to heal without reopening the treated area. For the day of your procedure, it’s best to avoid overly-expressive conversations. It may prolong this initial part of the healing process whereby the retention of color could be compromised.
Additionally, follow-up applications are usually administered at 8-10 weeks for new procedures. Follow-up sessions are perfect for “tweaking” the permanent makeup in areas where you may have healed away more color than others. Or you may want a fuller design or darker color. If this is the case, I will fill in and balance the saturation or even up lines.
Your permanent makeup touch-up or follow-up can reinforce the design and give the procedure a longer-lasting result.
Lastly, your follow-up appointment will start with a consultation to understand what, if any, concerns my client has. Then, I’ll evaluate your face with features relaxed, smiling, and brows raised. Oftentimes it can be expression patterns that determine what adjustments or other permanent makeup is needed. Having the confidence of my clients is vital to me. Giving you a look that feels like you or better is the goal. It’s frequently the smallest of changes that I suggest that make the brows look evenly matched.
Schedule your touch-up to refresh your look as you notice fading; or when you find yourself adding color to the area daily or looking washed out or tired.