PMU FAQs

Please read through it before booking.

What is Permanent makeup?

Permanent makeup (PMU) or semi-permanent makeup (SPMU), also called makeup tattooing, is a type of tattooing.

The technique involves injecting pigment through the skin to the borderline of the epidermis and dermis. The result lasts only a few years because of the nature of the procedure and pigments used, regardless of the method applied, digital machine or a handheld device (micro blade).

Is the PMU procedure safe?

It is an entirely safe procedure as long as you are suitable for it and the equipment and technique are done and used correctly and as hygienically as possible. I use disposable, single-use accessories only. This is because the needle pierces your skin and is obtained from a sterile package that has not been used before and is not touched with bare hands.

The pigment that is used is also sterile. The pigment is placed in a small sterilised ink cup and only be used for your treatment. Any remaining pigment will be discarded. Tissues or cotton swabs used during application are also single-use, disposable, clean and will be discarded immediately after use. I wear PPE -a disposable apron, gloves, and medical mask - when applying for your tattoo.

Does the procedure hurt?

As we are all different, everyone has a different pain threshold. The most important for me is your comfort level during the procedure, although some discomfort is associated with it.

How long does PMU last? Does it fade completely?

It depends on several factors, including the technique, skin type, age, metabolism, sun exposure and lifestyle. It is recommended a colour refresher (Colour Boost) treatment is six months to 2 years (depending on the method applied) to maintain perfect results.

Am I suitable for PMU?

Before having Permanent makeup applied, you will be asked to complete a Consultation Form. This form includes several questions on your health. After this is completed, I will advise whether permanent makeup is suitable or safe for you to have done.

How do I choose the right colour and shape?

It is a joint effort. We will do everything together, from choosing colour through planning the shape and placement to carrying out treatment.

Only agree with the procedure if you are 100% happy with the placement, shape and colour.

How long will it take to have it done?

Depending on the treatment area, new procedures take about 1,5 to 2,5 hours. Therefore, we will discuss the procedure length during the initial consultation after discussing which technique will be applied.

Why is a consultation needed?

A Consultation and test patch are always required to ensure that the procedure is suitable and safe for you; there are no contraindications or allergies. It is up to 45 minutes and free of charge. However, I require a £50 booking fee to secure your booking. This amount will be carried over to your procedure appointment and be deducted from the total at the end of your treatment.
Only agree to cosmetic or aesthetic procedures with a consultation and/or test patch beforehand.

What is happening during the consultation and test patch?

The consultation is up to 45 minutes to ensure enough time to answer all your questions. I will take pictures of your entire face on your phone (and mine, too) before and after designing your PMU to indicate the final result. You can leave wearing the design of PMU to familiarise yourself. After creating the shape and location of your PMU, we will choose colour/colours together. When we agree on the colour that will be used during the procedure, I will do the test patch to check for allergic reactions.

How is the PMU procedure carried out?

Firstly, we ensure that no medical conditions have changed since your consultation, and we can start. When the initial procedure is finished, you will be given a free Aftercare ointment with comprehensive instructions to help you look after your new tattoo. You will also be sent the instructions via email with a healing schedule, so you can be confident about how to care for it and what to expect in the days and weeks ahead. Finally, you will be booked in for your free Follow up appointment approximately 6-12 weeks after the initial appointment. During the Follow-up session, we can correct the colour and top up any missing areas, if necessary. Sometimes, the second session can take the same length of time as the first one, but there is no additional charge for this.


Are there any side effects of PMU?

There can be side effects localised to the treatment area.
After the procedure, moderate swelling and redness can be expected in the treatment area for a couple of hours (sometimes up to days). After that, an ice pack can be applied but maximum of 10 minutes at a time!

Scabbing and/or flaking of the skin on the area is typical for about a week. Any unusual side effects, such as heat, blistering and extreme itching, are rare. Although a patch test is carried out at least 48 hours before treatment, any allergic response/reaction could still occur post-treatment, even years after (Pseudolymphomatous).

How long is the recovery time of PMU?

There is no actual downtime of the procedure; immediately after it is done, you can return to your normal day-to-day activities. However, the entire healing time of the skin takes 4-6 weeks.

What can I expect after my procedure?

Straight after the procedure, you can expect moderate swelling and redness in the treatment area for several hours (sometimes up to days). Then, an ice pack can be applied but a maximum of 10 minutes at a time!

Scabbing and/or skin flaking can occur in the area for several days. Please DO NOT PICK the skin; it has to be held up under scabs and come off by itself to keep pigments in for a long time. If you pick the skin during scabbing or flaking, can cause scarring and make the result less long-lasting or disappear entirely.

Colours will get darker after the procedure by scabbing. Lines can be blurry and sometimes fade during the healing process. It is entirely normal. The total healing time of the skin is 4-6 weeks. The final result of PMU, shape and colour will reveal 4-6 weeks after this period. You will be sent the instructions via email with a healing schedule, so you can be confident about caring for your skin and what to expect in the days and weeks ahead.

Different skin types heal and take pigment in various ways, as we are all unique, and our skin is excellent too. Some skin types heal quicker and take pigments better than others.

Results vary, and there is no guarantee that one procedure with one Follow up is sufficient. However, one Follow up is necessary in almost all cases. During the healing procedure, skin can lose 30-50% of pigments; lines can fade or disappear. Therefore, please be aware that sometimes more than one Follow up is required.

What is Follow up, and do I need one?

PMU procedures are multi-session processes. An initial application is complete after a Follow-up appointment, which must be scheduled 6-12 weeks after your initial appointment. After healing time, some of the colours may not have stayed in because the skin may try to reject the pigment. This can be corrected at your Follow up session.

Is there an extra charge of Follow up session?

There is no additional charge for the follow-up appointment as long as it is performed within 12 weeks from the initial application, in the same way, and with the same colour.

How do I pay for my procedure?

To secure your consultation, a £50 booking fee is required. The booking fee will be deducted from your total price on the day of your treatment. If you need to cancel your appointment, please give a minimum of 48 hours' notice. The booking fee is non-refundable if you cancel with less than 48 hours' notice or fail to attend your appointment. The booking fee will be carried over to the next appointment if rescheduling before the 48 hours cancellation period.

How to schedule an appointment? What to do before and after the procedure?

Before Lip colouring, it is recommended to start taking anti-viral tablets to avoid having blisters and herpes after the procedure. Tablets can be prescribed by GP and handled according to recommendation (Valtrex, Valacyclovir, Acyclovir, Famvir, Famciclovir

NO swimming, sauna, sunbed, sunbathing or exercising for about a week after procedure. Sun protection must be worn to protect the colour.
NO Botox and fillers for six weeks before and after the procedure in the treatment area.
NO Chemical peels, Microdermabrasion, Dermaplanning or any resurfacing facial treatments for at least 2 weeks before and never after the procedure on the treatment area.
NO alcohol, caffeine, taurine, or energy drinks are recommended before the procedure.
NO aspirin or ibuprofen for two days before the procedure.
NO vitamin A used in the treatment area after the procedure.
NO Accutane for 1 year before the procedure.
NO waxing for three days before and four weeks after the procedure on the treatment area.
NO tinting one week before and four weeks after the procedure on the treatment area.

Please get in touch with me if you have any other questions or would like me to clarify anything else: rita.hering@gmail.com