Prep & Aftercare.

In preparation of your visit…

Please make sure to carefully read and follow all preparation protocols as failure in doing so can result in the rescheduling/cancellation of your appointment. This is to ensure the best result when it comes to your PMU and to avoid any unforeseen risks.

IF YOU ARE SICK, GETTING SICK, GETTING OVER BEING SICK, ON ANY ANTIBIOTICS AND/OR STEROIDS WITHIN THE 7 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT…PLEASE LET ME KNOW WITH PROPER NOTICE.

Feel free to come to your appointment with your normal brow/lip makeup to help with the design portion of your visit but please wear minimal/no face makeup.

Preparing for PMU procedures…

    • No tweezing, waxing, threading for at least 3-5 days before visit

    • Do not chemically treat brows for 1 week before the visit - the longer, the better (tint, laminations, etc)

    • Do not tan (bed/sun) for 2 weeks prior to your visit. Please do not arrive with artificial tanner or a sunburn on the face. AVOID ALL unprotected sun exposure for 2-3 weeks. *If face appears burnt/tanned at the time of visit, the appointment will be rescheduled.

    • Please avoid exercise day of visit

    • No Botox/filler for at least 2 weeks before visit - the longer, the better

    • Avoid any chemical treatments/invasive treatments for at least 4-6 weeks prior to visit

    • Discontinue Vitamin A & Retinol products for 1 month prior to visit

    • Discontinue Accutane 12 months prior to visit

    • Avoid excessive alcohol, caffeine, pre-workout, and energy drinks 24 hours prior to visit

    • Avoid ALL blood thinning medications, supplements, and vitamins for 7-14 days prior to visit

      *Always consult with your physician before stopping the use of prescription medications. If you're unsure or have questions, please call your provider for clarification.

    • Beginning 5-7 days before your visit, please use a daily, GENTLE lip exfoliating treatment & a rich lip balm to help prep your lips. This will get them in the best shape for tattooing!

    • If you are prone to cold sores, herpes, or fever blister, YOU WILL NEED AN ANTIVIRAL PRESCRIPTION. Physicians usually instruct to begin taking it 3 days before the procedure, for a 7-10 day course. Rad Brows and More recommends 3 days before the procedure, day of, and 2-3 days after your visit. You may be asked for proof of prescription. You may also still develop cold sores due to the trauma of the procedure. For best results, it is advised to take 200 MG dosage 5-6 times per day (totaling 1,000-1,200 MG per day)

    • If there is any irritation/blemishes within 1 inch of the lips, the appointment will be rescheduled until the area is clear

    • No Botox/filler for 4 weeks before/after the procedure

    • Discontinue Vitamin A & Retinol products for 1 month prior to visit

    • Discontinue Accutane 12 months prior to visit

    • Avoid excessive alcohol, caffeine, pre-workout, and energy drinks 24 hours prior to visit

    • Avoid ALL blood thinning medications, supplements, and vitamins for 7-14 days prior to visit

      *Always consult with your physician before stopping the use of prescription medications. If you're unsure or have questions, please call your provider for clarification.

  • 2 Weeks Before

    • For at least 2 weeks before, avoid sun exposure or tanning on the area where the freckles will go. Sunburned or tanned skin can affect pigment retention and healing.

    • If the area is prone to dryness, start moisturizing daily for 2 weeks.

    • Skip retinoids, exfoliants, or acids (like AHAs/BHAs) on the tattoo area for 1-2 weeks prior. They can make the skin too sensitive.

    2-5 Days Before

    • Avoid waxing/shaving the spot for at least 3-5 days beforehand to prevent irritation.

    Day Of

    • Hydrate well and eat a balanced meal before the appointment.

    • Skip the coffee/energy drinks before your appointment. Caffeine can heighten sensitivity and make you jittery during the process.

    • Shower and arrive with the tattoo area clean and free of lotions, oils, makeup, dirt.

    • Choose loose, breathable clothes that can be easily accessible to the tattoo area and won’t rub against the tattooed area afterward.

    • Come relaxed and ready to trust the process.

    • Aspirin

    • Coenzyme Q-10

    • Coumadin

    • Cranberry

    • Dong Quai (Angelica)

    • Fish Oil

    • Garlic

    • Ginger

    • Ginkgo

    • Ginseng

    • Glucosamine

    • Green Tea

    • Lycium Tea

    • Melatonin

    • Omega 3 Fatty Acids

    • Plavix

    • Soy Products

    • St. John's Wort

    • Turmeric

    • Vitamin B6

    • Vitamin E

    • Always consult with your physician before stopping use of prescription medication

    • 1 tbsp coconut oil

    • 2 tsp sugar

    • 1 tsp honey

    Combine ingredients in a small jar/container until mixed. Apply a small amount to your finger and gently rub into your lips for 1 minute. Rinse with warm water!

Aftercare

    • Following your procedure, expect your color to appear darker, bolder, and sharper than your final result. Once you have fully healed, the pigment will look softer and lighter. The darkest days are typically between days 2-4.

      Expect to see redness and slight swelling both in and around the brow area. The pigment itself may appear warmer than expected due to the red, irritated skin.

      DAY 1

      • Expect a small amount of fluid, weeping, or blood. Firmly blot brows and wipe with clean gauze or a slightly damp paper towel to remove. Excess fluid may dry and form scabs too early, which can remove pigment. Blotting typically only needs to be done the day of your procedure, but needs to be done often throughout the day.

      EVERYDAY WHILE HEALING

      • Wash your brows with a mild, gentle cleanser and make sure to rinse well morning AND night.

      • Pat dry with a CLEAN paper product and do not scrub or pick at any time.

      • Apply After Inked as needed with a CLEAN q-tip on dry skin only - may be applied several times during the day, however, only a THIN layer should be used at any time. Whenever your skin looks or feels tight/dry, reapply! (How much product should I be using? The size of a grain of rice!)

      • Brow area may begin to itch and appear slightly thicker in texture before taking on a flaky, dry, narrow appearance. Do not pick, allow flakes to fall off completely on their own.

      • After this phase passes, your brows may take on a hazy, dull, light appearance.

      • Color will return after healing is complete, typically between the 3rd and 4th week.

      Keep in mind, when healing is complete, it is normal to have less saturated areas. Color may lighten up to 30% the first time through. 

      FOR TWO WEEKS AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE:

      • Avoid using any makeup directly on the treated area.

      • Sleep on a CLEAN pillowcase

      • Do not use too much After Inked, only a THIN layer is needed at any time. The skin needs to be able to “breathe” in order to heal properly.

      • Do not use any Retin A, Glycolic/Salicylic acid, or products with active ingredients until fully healed. 

      • Do not use Peroxide or Neosporin on the treated area.

      • Avoid vigorous exercise and strenuous activity for 14 days.

      • Do not expose the treated area to direct sunlight or tanning beds for at least 14 days.

      • Avoid facials, steam, heavy sweating, saunas, and long, hot showers for 14 days.

      • Avoid swimming in lakes, oceans, pools, hot tubs, etc. for 14 days.

      • Avoid gardening or yard work for 14 days.

      • Avoid chemicals and irritants, particularly fine mist type products, for 14 days.

      • Do not tint, wax, thread, or tweeze eyebrows.

  • DAY OF PROCEDURE

    • Following your procedure, expect your color to appear darker/bolder than the final result. Once you have fully healed, the pigment will look softer and more sheer. Pigment will appear warmer than expected (more orangey or brick colored). This is totally normal and will pass!

    • Do not be alarmed at the amount of swelling that can occur. We highly advise you to ice for 10 minutes out of every hour for the first several hours after the procedure. When icing, please do not place the ice pack directly on your lips. Instead place a barrier, like a damp paper towel, and be sure to lift the ice pack every couple minutes.

    • Expect a small amount of fluid, weeping, or blood. Blot with a damp, clean gauze, do not wipe or scrub. Excess lymph may dry and form unwanted scabs.

    • Gently cleanse and rinse lips before bed. Apply aftercare cream once completely dry.

    DAY 1-7

    • After washing your hands, cleanse the area with a gentle, mild cleanser and rinse well. The lips should be cleansed morning and night.

    • Do not scrub or pick at any time.

    • Apply aftercare ointment with a clean Q-tip or freshly washed fingertips - Ointment may be applied several times during the day. Only a THIN layer should be used at any time. A good rule of thumb is to apply whenever your lips feel tight and dry.

    • Lips may begin to itch and will appear thicker in texture. The skin will then begin to flake and peel.

    DAY 7-21

    • You may continue to be dry and flaky, you may keep moisturizing with the ointment.

    • Do not pick any flakes, allow them to fall off on their own.

    • Lips may take on a hazy, dull, light, muted appearance (this can sometimes happen twice!)

    • Color will return (bloom) after healing is fully complete

    It is normal to have lighter/less saturated areas. You may lighten up to 30% the first time through. It is common to feel like you have very dry, windburned lips after the procedure.

    IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

    • Be careful of salty/spicy food for the first few days

    • Be mindful of germs from glasses and flatware

    • Sleep on a clean pillowcase

    • Do not expose your lips to direct sunlight or tanning beds for at least 14 days

    • Avoid facials, steam, heavy sweating (gym!!!), and long, hot showers for 14 days

    • Avoid swimming in lakes, oceans, pools, hot tubs, etc. for 14 days

    • After all peeling and flaking is done, you may use your preferred lip care, preferably one with SPF!

    • Avoid lip tints/heavily colored lip products as it can impact your final result

    • Avoid gardening or yard work for 14 days

    • Avoid chemicals and irritants, particularly fine mist type products, for 14 days

  • First 24 Hours:

    • Gently blot the area with a clean tissue to remove any excess lymph fluid.

    • Avoid touching the freckles with unwashed hands.

    • Apply a thin layer of ointment (such as Aquaphor)

    Days 1-7:

    • Wash the area once or twice daily with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser such Dial gold (can be found at the dollar store). Pat dry with a clean paper towel and do not rub.

    • Apply a very thin layer of healing ointment as needed to prevent excessive dryness.

    • Avoid heavy sweating, swimming, or soaking the area in water.

    • Do not apply makeup or skincare products directly over the freckles.

    Days 7-14:

    • Some mild peeling, flaking, or slight scabbing is normal. Do not pick!

    • Continue to keep the area clean and moisturized with a light, breathable ointment or lotion if needed.

    After Two Weeks:

    • Freckles should be mostly healed but will continue to settle into the skin over the next few weeks.

    • Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen daily to prevent fading and maintain longevity.

    • Avoid chemical exfoliants (AHAs, BHAs, retinol) on the treated area for at least 4 weeks.

    Long-Term Care:

    • Always wear sunscreen to protect the pigment from fading.

    • Schedule touch-ups as needed (typically every 1-3 years but you can go longer) to maintain your freckles' fresh appearance.

What to expect during a PMU appointment…

    • Upon arrival, you’ll be met with paperwork for you to complete before we take you back to the treatment area.

    • The technician will then go over your responses with you, discuss your PMU options, and then talk design all while being numbed with a topical anesthetic.

    • We then move into the design process. The technician and client work together to design a shape that works for YOU, utilizing your natural shape, and the look you are wanting to achieve.

    • The design that is agreed upon will then be used as the template for what will be tattooed.

    • TATTOO TIME!!! …the actual tattooing time is generally pretty quick.

    • We make any last changes, clean you up, and apply post-tattoo care.

    • We will then send you on your way with an aftercare kit along with your instructions to refer back to.

      *Secondary anesthetic is applied throughout your visit to ensure you stay comfortable throughout the procedure.

    • Upon arrival, you’ll be met with paperwork for you to complete before we take you back to the treatment area.

    • The technician will go over your responses with you if needed.

    • We will then talk placements, design, and what you are looking for in terms of color.

    • After deciding where you’d like your freckles to go, I will clean and shave the area.

    • TATTOO TIME!!! …the designs are free-handed to create a cute, organic shape that will heal so naturally and will blend seamlessly with your skin.

    • We make any last changes, clean you up, and apply post-tattoo care.

    • We will then send you on your way with an aftercare kit along with your instructions to refer back to.

      *No numbing is used for this service since the tattoos are so small in size.

How long will I take to recover?

Every body is different. Some may be red and swollen for a day or two while others, you couldn’t tell they had just gotten tattooed. When it comes to lip and brow procedures, there’s swelling involved (eyebrow procedures come with the least amount of swelling). Aside from this and redness, the healing process is generally not too bad for most people and you should have no issue being seen in public or resuming your normal life. If you are having an emergency during your healing, do not be afraid to reach out to me.