Heal it,
beautifully.
Aftercare is 50% of your result. The next 28 days determine how your work will look — and last — for the next two years. These instructions are written to current SPCP (Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals) and AAM industry standards. Follow them precisely.
Six phases of healing.
Immediately after
Color appears bold and dark — this is fresh pigment sitting on the surface. Light swelling and tenderness are normal. Blot every 5–10 min for the first 2 hours with a sterile saline-dampened gauze to remove lymph.
Initial healing
Continue gentle cleansing 2–3× daily with the provided sterile saline or pH-balanced cleanser. Pat dry with a clean tissue. Apply a rice-grain amount of the provided aftercare balm (lanolin- or glycerin-based) — never petroleum jelly.
Scabbing & flaking
Scabs form and begin to slough naturally. The area will itch. DO NOT pick, scratch, or peel — premature removal pulls pigment with it and causes patchy results. Continue light balm if the skin feels dry or tight.
The 'ghosting' phase
Color appears to fade by 30–50%. This is normal — pigment has settled into the dermis and is masked by a layer of fresh epidermis. Do not panic. Do not book an early touch-up.
True color emerges
Pigment returns to view as the new skin layer becomes translucent. Final healed result reveals itself between weeks 4 and 6. This is what we evaluate at your perfecting session.
Perfecting session
Complimentary touch-up to refine shape, density, and color saturation. PMU is a two-step process — the touch-up is part of the service, not optional.
Care, by treatment.
Each PMU procedure has its own healing protocol. Follow the section that applies to your service — and ask if anything is unclear.
Brows (Microblading / Ombré / Combo)
Method · Damp-heal method
- Hours 1–2: Blot every 5–10 minutes with sterile gauze to remove lymph.
- Day 1–7: Cleanse 2–3× daily with sterile saline or provided cleanser. Pat dry. Apply a rice-grain of aftercare balm.
- Avoid sleeping face-down or on the side of the brow.
- Do not get brows wet in the shower — use a damp cloth around the area.
Lip Blush
Method · Dry-heal with frequent balm
- Day 1–10: Apply provided lip balm every hour while awake — lips must never feel dry. Dry lips crack pigment loose.
- Drink through a straw for the first 5 days.
- Eat soft, mild foods — no spicy, salty, citrus, or hot temperature foods for 7 days.
- Take a preventative cold-sore antiviral (e.g. Valtrex) starting 2 days before procedure if you have any history of HSV-1 — non-negotiable.
- Do not brush teeth aggressively or use whitening toothpaste for 10 days.
Eyeliner
Method · Damp-heal, minimal product
- Use a cool compress (not ice directly) for 10 minutes on/off the first 4 hours to reduce swelling.
- Sleep elevated on 2 pillows for the first 3 nights — eyes will swell, especially morning of Day 2.
- No mascara, eye makeup, or eye cream for 14 days.
- Do not wear contact lenses for 72 hours; switch to glasses.
- No lash extensions, lash lifts, or tinting for 4 weeks.
Scalp Micropigmentation
Method · Dry-heal
- No water, sweat, or product of any kind on the scalp for 5 full days.
- No hats, helmets, or anything that touches the scalp for 5 days.
- Day 6–10: rinse gently with lukewarm water only — no shampoo until Day 10.
- No shaving the head for 7 days; use clippers (no blade) thereafter.
- Sessions are spaced 10–14 days apart — full SMP requires 3–4 sessions.
Allow the healing.
- Sleep on your back, elevated, for the first 3 nights to reduce swelling
- Use a fresh, clean pillowcase nightly during healing
- Keep hands and hair off the treated area
- Drink plenty of water — hydration supports skin recovery
- Take an antihistamine if approved by your physician for swelling/itch
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat outdoors for the first 2 weeks
Disturb the work.
- No tap water, sweat, or saliva on the area for 7–10 days
- No makeup, sunscreen, or skincare on the treated area for 10–14 days
- No swimming, hot tubs, sauna, or steam rooms for 21 days
- No strenuous exercise that causes heavy sweating for 7 days
- No retinol, AHA/BHA, glycolic, or vitamin C near the area for 30 days
- No facials, chemical peels, or laser within 4 weeks of the area
- No picking, peeling, scratching, or rubbing — at any point
- No sun tanning or tanning beds for 30 days; SPF 30+ thereafter, daily
Make it last.
Once healed, PMU lasts 1–3 years depending on skin type, lifestyle, and aftercare. These habits will extend the life of your work significantly.
SPF is non-negotiable
Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily, year-round. UV exposure is the #1 cause of premature pigment fade and color shift.
Hydration matters
Well-hydrated skin holds pigment longer. Moisturize the area daily once fully healed (after Day 30).
Keep actives away
Retinol, glycolic acid, vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide — never apply directly over PMU. They will lift pigment over time.
When to call us immediately
Swelling that worsens after 48 hours, fever, yellow or green discharge, spreading redness, severe pain, or any allergic reaction (rash, hives, difficulty breathing). Reach Mira directly: (555) 123-4567. For breathing difficulty, call 911 first.
Have a question?
No question is too small. Healing concerns deserve a real answer — quickly.
Reach the Atelier