Pre-Care & Aftercare Guide for Permanent Makeup

Day Of Procedure: What To Expect & Bring

Should I wear makeup to my appointment? If you normally wear makeup, then yes! This gives us a clear understanding of your personal style, makeup routine, and color preferences. We want to see how you typically present yourself.

If you don't wear makeup regularly, please come naturally and we'll work together to create a look you're comfortable with.

What to bring: If you have specific brow pencils, eyeliners, or lipsticks you love, bring them along! This helps us match your preferred colors and style.

Eat a good meal before your appointment and stay well-hydrated. This helps you stay comfortable during the procedure and aids in healing afterward.

Pre-Care For Eyebrows

If you normally shape your brows (waxing, threading, tweezing), have this done at least 3 days before your appointment—but preferably one week before. This allows any redness or irritation to subside.

Avoid tinting your brows for at least one week before the procedure.

If you use skincare actives like retinoids, AHAs, or BHAs on your forehead, discontinue use 2 weeks before your appointment in the brow area.

Aftercare For Eyebrows

Our machine-based techniques (Hybrid Brows, Nano Brows, and Powder Brows) typically result in minimal scabbing and light healing. Most Le Kitsuné clients report little to no peeling—many tell us "nothing happened!" However, some clients do experience visible healing stages.

Microblading vs. Machine Techniques: If you've had traditional microblading before, you may remember heavier scabbing and more intense peeling. Our machine techniques create less trauma to the skin, resulting in a gentler healing process with better pigment retention.

What To Expect

Your brows may appear darker and bolder immediately after the procedure—this is normal! The color will soften significantly over the next 7-10 days as the surface layer heals. By week 2-4, you'll see the true color emerge as the pigment settles into the dermal layer.

Some clients experience light dandruff-like flaking around days 3-7, while others see no visible peeling at all. If you do peel, do not pick or scratch! Let the skin shed naturally. Premature peeling will pull pigment out with it.

Daily Care Routine

Days 1-7: Gently cleanse brows twice daily (morning and night) with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser. Pat dry and apply a thin layer of aftercare ointment. Keep them lightly moisturized but never shiny.

Days 7-14: Continue gentle cleansing. You can resume most normal activities but continue avoiding skincare actives, excessive water exposure, and makeup on the brows.

What To Avoid During Healing

• Water exposure: Avoid getting the area wet for the first 7-10 days except for gentle cleansing. No swimming, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, or long showers.
• Makeup: Do not apply makeup to or near the brows for at least 5-7 days, or until all scabbing has completely healed.
• Exercise & sweating: Avoid strenuous exercise for 7-10 days. Sweat contains salt that can prematurely fade pigment.
• Picking or scratching: Do NOT pick, peel, or scratch the brows. This will cause premature pigment loss.

Long-Term Brow Care

After healing, always use zinc-based sunscreen SPF 30+ over your brows when exposed to sun. UV exposure is the #1 cause of premature fading.

Avoid applying anti-aging or acne products (retinoids, acids, exfoliants) directly on or within one inch above your brows, as these will cause premature fading or color changes.

Pre-Care For Lips

Begin hydrating and exfoliating your lips one week before the procedure. Apply lip balm frequently and gently exfoliate with a soft toothbrush or washcloth after showering. This helps prepare your lips for optimal pigment retention.

If you have a history of cold sores or fever blisters: As a precautionary best practice, we recommend consulting your doctor about acquiring an antiviral prescription (such as Valtrex, Zovirax, or Famvir). The procedure involves light trauma to the lip area which can potentially trigger an outbreak in susceptible individuals. Starting the medication 3 days before your procedure and continuing for 3-5 days after can help prevent this. Please bring proof of your prescription or a signed waiver to your appointment.

Aftercare For Lips

Lip procedures require the most intensive aftercare due to the delicate nature of lip tissue and constant movement/moisture exposure. Following these instructions carefully is essential for optimal color retention and healing.

Daily Care Timeline

What To Avoid During Healing (Days 1-10)

• Water on lips: Except for the initial Day 1 cleaning, keep lips as dry as possible for 7 days.
• Lip products & makeup: No lipstick, lip gloss, or lip products for 7-10 days.
• Hot foods & drinks: Avoid hot soup, coffee, tea, or steamy foods for 72 hours. Use a straw for all beverages.
• Spicy & salty foods: Avoid spicy, salty, acidic, or irritating foods for 7 days.
• Teeth brushing: For 72 hours, brush teeth with mouthwash only or very carefully with water to avoid toothpaste on lips. Toothpaste can pull pigment out!
• Kissing: Sorry! Avoid kissing, oral contact, and any friction on the lips for 7-10 days or until completely healed.
• Vaping & smoking: Avoid vaping! The metal mouthpiece will make the color turn ashy and gray. If you must smoke, do so very carefully and reapply ointment immediately after.

Pre-Care For Eyeliner

Do not wear contact lenses to your appointment. Please wear glasses on the day of your procedure and bring your contact lens case with you. You must abstain from wearing contact lenses for 48 hours after the service (see aftercare section for why this is critical).

Remove eyelash extensions at least one week prior to your procedure. Discontinue Latisse, Revitalash, or any lash growth serums for 2 weeks before your appointment as they increase bleeding and bruising risk.

Come to your appointment with clean eyes—no mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, or makeup on the eye area.

Aftercare For Eyeliner

Eyeliner procedures require careful aftercare due to the sensitive nature of the eye area. The goal is to keep the area clean, maintain moisture, and avoid any irritation or infection.

Daily Care Routine

First 24 Hours: You may experience swelling, especially the morning after your procedure. This is completely normal. Apply ice packs for 10-15 minutes at a time with a barrier (paper towel or clean cloth) to reduce swelling. Do NOT press ice directly onto eyes.

Days 1-7: Gently cleanse the eyeliner area twice daily with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. Use cotton balls or clean cotton swabs—never your fingers directly. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean paper towel.

Apply a thin layer of gentle moisturizer or the provided aftercare ointment using a clean cotton swab. The area should be lightly moisturized but never greasy.

What To Avoid During Healing

• Eye makeup: No mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, or eye makeup for 7-10 days. After healing, use a brand-new tube of mascara to prevent infection.
• Eyelash curler: Do not use an eyelash curler for 2 weeks. Clean your curler with alcohol before using it again.
• Lash extensions & treatments: No eyelash extensions, lash lifts, lash tinting, or lash perming for 2 weeks after your procedure.
• Rubbing or touching: Do not rub, scratch, or irritate your eyes. If you need to touch the area, use a clean cotton swab ONLY. Never use your fingers.
• Water exposure: Avoid swimming, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms for 7-10 days.

Peeling and Fading: What To Expect

Some flaking is normal around days 3-7. Do not pick or try to peel this skin off. Most clients see about 30-50% lighter color after the first session completes healing—this is expected and will be perfected at your touch-up appointment 4-6 weeks later.

Managing Swelling & Discomfort

Sleep elevated on 2 pillows for the first 2-3 nights to reduce swelling. The most swelling typically occurs the morning after your procedure and should subside within 24-48 hours.

Some residual pigment may transfer onto your pillowcase for the first few nights—this is normal. Use an old pillowcase or protect it with a towel.