The Importance of Skin Preparation for Permanent Make-Up on Brows and Lips

Our Columnist, Nez Hasan is a renowned semi-permanent makeup artist who has nearly 10 years' experience in the beauty industry. She has a passion for enhancing natural beauty and offers a range of treatments to an international client base.

Permanent makeup is a great way to enhance your natural beauty and save time on your daily routine. Whether you’re getting your eyebrows shaped with semi-permanent makeup or adding soft colour to your lips with a Lip Blush tattoo, one thing is super important: good skin preparation.

Taking care of your skin before your appointment can make a big difference in how well the pigment holds, how smooth the healing process is, and how long the results last. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Clean Skin Is a Must

Before your appointment, make sure your skin is clean and free of makeup, oils, and dirt. This helps reduce the risk of infection and gives your artist a fresh surface to work on. For eyebrows, this means washing your face gently but thoroughly. For lips, removing lipstick or balm before the appointment is key.

2. Exfoliate Gently

Light exfoliation is helpful for both the brows and lips. It removes dry, dead skin that can block the pigment. For brows, use a soft facial scrub a day or two before your treatment. For lips, try a sugar scrub or rub gently with a damp toothbrush to keep them smooth. Just don’t overdo it—your skin should not be red or irritated.

3. Keep Skin Hydrated

Moisturising your skin a few days before your appointment helps keep skin soft and healthy. For brows, use a light, non-greasy moisturiser. For lips, drink plenty of water and use lip balm regularly. Hydrated skin takes pigment better and heals more evenly.

4. Skip Harsh Products

Stay away from strong skincare ingredients like retinols, acids, or peels for at least a week before your appointment. These can make your skin too sensitive, especially around the thin skin of your lips and brows.

5. Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, and Blood Thinners

Try not to have alcohol, coffee, or anything that thins the blood for 24 hours before your treatment. These can cause more bleeding, which can make it harder for the pigment to stay in the skin.

6. No Sunburn

Sunburned skin is damaged skin. If your face or lips are red, peeling, or sensitive from the sun, it’s best to reschedule your appointment. Always use sunscreen leading up to your treatment

7. Watch Your Schedule

Don’t book your permanent makeup too close to facials, waxing, or injectable treatments. Your skin needs time to settle before getting tattooed. Plan ahead so your skin is calm, healthy, and ready.

8. Why Prep Really Matters

Taking time to prepare your skin properly helps your artist do their best work. It means better colour, less touch-ups needed, and a more comfortable healing process. Whether it’s bold brows or beautifully blushed lips, good prep leads to great results.

Taking care of your skin before permanent makeup is simple but powerful. A little prep goes a long way in helping you get the look you’ll love - longer lasting, better healed, and beautifully done.