How Do I Prepare for My Permanent Makeup Appointment?

If your permanent makeup appointment is coming up, you may be wondering, “Is there anything I need to do beforehand?”

Yes—but don't worry. Preparing for your appointment doesn't need to be complicated.

A little pre-care can help make sure your skin is in good condition for the procedure and can support a smoother experience and beautiful healed results.

I always provide my clients with specific instructions based on the service they're receiving, but here are some of the most important things I want you to know before coming to see me.

Preparing for permanent maekup

Keep Your Skin Healthy Before Your Appointment

One of the most important things you can do is arrive with healthy, calm skin around the treatment area.

In the days leading up to your appointment, avoid anything that could leave the skin irritated, inflamed, peeling, or overly sensitized.

This is particularly important with stronger skincare products and treatments.

If you use products such as retinoids, strong acids, or exfoliants around the treatment area, I'll give you instructions on when they should be discontinued before your procedure.

And if you've recently had a chemical peel, laser treatment, microneedling, injectable treatment, or another cosmetic procedure near the area we're treating, please tell me before your appointment.

Depending on the treatment and timing, we may need to wait before performing permanent makeup.

Avoid Alcohol Before Your Appointment

I recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours before your permanent makeup procedure.

Alcohol can contribute to increased bleeding and sensitivity during the procedure, which isn't ideal when I'm trying to implant pigment precisely into the skin.

Saving that glass of wine for another day is a very easy way to help prepare for your appointment.

Limit Caffeine on the Day of Your Procedure

I know this one can be difficult for my coffee lovers!

You don't necessarily have to completely eliminate caffeine, but I recommend limiting excessive caffeine before your appointment.

Too much caffeine may increase sensitivity and can make it harder to relax during your procedure.

So if you normally drink several cups of coffee or energy drinks in the morning, consider cutting back on appointment day.

Don't Shape Your Brows for Me

This one surprises some of my clients.

If you're coming in for a brow procedure, you don't need to wax, tweeze, or perfectly shape your brows beforehand.

In fact, I like seeing your natural brow growth.

Your existing hair gives me valuable information about your natural growth pattern and helps me create a design that works with your brows rather than against them.

Before performing any permanent makeup, I'll carefully map your brows and we'll review the shape together.

Nothing starts until we've created a design we're comfortable with.

Come With Realistic Brow Inspiration

If you have pictures of brows you love, you're welcome to bring them.

Reference photos can help me understand whether you prefer something:

• Very soft and natural

• More defined

• Fluffy

• Structured

• Fuller

• More subtle

However, inspiration photos are exactly that—inspiration.

I don't copy another person's eyebrows onto your face.

Your bone structure, natural brow growth, facial proportions, skin, and personal style all matter when I'm designing your brows.

My goal is to understand what you love about the inspiration and translate that into something that looks natural on you.

Tell Me About Previous Permanent Makeup

This is extremely important.

If you've previously had microblading, nanoblading, nano brows, powder brows, or any other eyebrow tattooing, please tell me before booking your procedure.

Even if the previous work looks very faded to you, I still need to evaluate it.

Sometimes I can work beautifully over previous permanent makeup. Other times, the pigment may be too saturated, discolored, or outside the shape we want to create.

In those situations, additional fading or removal may be the better first step.

I would much rather evaluate your brows beforehand than have you arrive for an appointment and discover that performing another procedure isn't the right decision.

Tell Me About Medications and Medical Conditions

Your health information matters when determining whether permanent makeup is appropriate for you.

Please let me know about relevant medications, medical conditions, allergies, recent procedures, or anything else that could potentially affect your treatment or healing.

Certain circumstances may require us to modify the timing of your procedure, postpone it, or obtain medical clearance before proceeding.

Never discontinue a prescribed medication simply because you're having permanent makeup. If a medication creates a concern, we can discuss what documentation or medical clearance may be appropriate.

Your safety comes before the procedure.

What About Botox and Other Cosmetic Treatments?

If you receive Botox, fillers, chemical peels, lasers, microneedling, or other facial treatments, let me know when you last had them—or when you're planning to have them.

Timing can matter.

Ideally, I want to work with your skin when it has had enough time to recover and when your facial features have settled from other treatments.

If you're unsure whether something you recently had done matters, just ask me.

I'd rather you tell me about something that turns out to be irrelevant than leave out something important.

Should I Wear Makeup to My Appointment?

You don't need to arrive completely makeup-free unless I've specifically instructed you to.

For brow appointments, I actually don't mind seeing how you normally wear your brows because it can give me another clue about the shape, thickness, and definition you naturally prefer.

Of course, I'll properly cleanse and prepare the treatment area before we begin.

What Happens Before the Procedure Starts?

One thing I want clients to understand is that you don't simply arrive and immediately start getting tattooed.

A significant part of your appointment happens before I ever begin the procedure.

We'll discuss your goals, evaluate your natural features, and design your brows.

For brow permanent makeup, I'll consider things such as:

• Your facial structure

• Natural brow growth

• Brow symmetry

• Skin characteristics

• Existing permanent makeup

• Your desired thickness and definition

• The technique we're using

We'll review the design together before moving forward.

I want you involved in that process.

Should I Be Nervous About My Appointment?

Being a little nervous is completely normal, especially if this is your first permanent makeup experience.

But preparation is one of the reasons I provide so much education before and after my procedures.

I don't want you walking into my studio wondering what's about to happen.

I want you to understand the process, know what to expect, and feel comfortable asking questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink coffee before permanent makeup?Yes, but I recommend limiting excessive caffeine on the day of your appointment because it may increase sensitivity.

Can I drink alcohol the night before?I recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours before your procedure.

Should I wax my eyebrows before my appointment?No. You don't need to shape your brows for me. I prefer being able to evaluate your natural brow growth before creating your new design.

Should I stop taking my medication?No. Never stop prescribed medication without guidance from the healthcare professional who prescribed it. Let me know what you're taking so we can determine whether any additional precautions or medical clearance are necessary.

Can I get permanent makeup after Botox?Timing can depend on the treatment and area involved. Let me know when you received Botox or other cosmetic treatments so I can advise you appropriately before scheduling.

What if I already have permanent makeup?Please send me clear photos or schedule a consultation before booking a new procedure. I need to evaluate the remaining pigment first.

Preparation Makes the Experience Easier

Preparing for permanent makeup isn't about following an intimidating list of rules.

It's about making sure your skin is ready, I have the information I need, and you understand what to expect.

I'll provide you with the specific pre-care instructions for your procedure, so you don't need to memorize everything you've read online.

And if you're ever unsure about a medication, skincare product, cosmetic treatment, or something you did before your appointment, ask me.

I'd much rather answer the question beforehand.

My goal is for you to arrive at Maya Louredo Beauty in Sandy Springs, Georgia, feeling prepared, comfortable, and excited about your appointment.