How to Prepare for Your Permanent Makeup Appointment

Your PMU appointment is two weeks away. Your artist has confirmed the booking. You’re excited, slightly nervous, and wondering whether there’s anything you should be doing in the lead-up that you might not have thought of.

The answer is yes — quite a lot, actually. The way you prepare for permanent makeup in the days and weeks before your appointment meaningfully affects your comfort during the procedure, your healing, and your final result. Most clients arrive having done some of the preparation but not all, then leave wishing they’d known the full picture earlier.

This guide covers everything: medical and dietary considerations, skincare adjustments, what to avoid in the week before, what to do on the morning of your appointment, and what to bring with you. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to arrive at your appointment prepared for the best possible outcome.

For broader context on what PMU involves and what to expect at the appointment itself, see our complete guide to permanent makeup in London. For specific procedures, see our microblading step-by-step guide, nano brows tutorial, Korean lip blush guide, and permanent eyeliner guide.

Why Preparation Matters

Three things happen during PMU that preparation directly affects.

Bleeding and bruising. Your skin’s tendency to bleed during the procedure affects pigment absorption and post-procedure swelling. Anything that thins your blood — alcohol, certain medications, certain supplements — increases bleeding and reduces the quality of pigment deposit.

Healing predictability. Skin in good condition heals more predictably than skin that’s been recently exfoliated, irritated, or stressed. The week before your appointment should be a calm period for your skin.

Comfort during the procedure. A well-prepared client is more comfortable for the 2 to 3 hours of the procedure. Hungry, dehydrated, anxious, or caffeinated clients have a harder time.

The good news: most preparation is straightforward. None of it requires major lifestyle changes — just thoughtful adjustments in the week before.

Two Weeks Before Your Appointment

This is when serious preparation begins.

Stop or reduce blood-thinning substances (with medical guidance)

Anything that thins your blood increases bleeding during the procedure, which reduces pigment retention and increases healing time.

Speak with your GP before stopping any prescribed medication. With medical clearance, the substances to consider pausing include:

Aspirin and ibuprofen (paracetamol is fine throughout)
High-dose vitamin E supplements
Fish oil and omega-3 supplements
Vitamin C high-dose supplements (food sources are fine)
Ginkgo biloba and ginseng
Garlic supplements

Do not stop prescribed blood thinners (warfarin, apixaban, etc.) without explicit medical clearance. If your doctor advises that pausing isn’t safe, your artist will discuss alternative approaches.

Avoid retinoids and exfoliating acids near the treatment area

For brows: stop using retinol, tretinoin, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and other exfoliating actives on or near your brows for at least 7 to 10 days before your appointment.

For lips: stop using lip exfoliators, retinoid-containing lip products, and any lip plumping treatments for at least 7 days before.

For eyeliner: stop using retinoid eye creams and any exfoliating eye treatments for at least 7 days before.

Why this matters: these ingredients thin the skin and accelerate cell turnover. Skin that’s actively turning over too fast doesn’t hold pigment well. Pausing these products allows your skin to stabilise.

Avoid sun exposure on the treatment area

Sunburnt or recently tanned skin cannot be worked on. If you’ve been on holiday and have any sun exposure on the treatment area, mention it to your artist in advance — you may need to reschedule.

This includes sunbeds, self-tanner, and bronzers. Avoid all forms of tanning for 2 weeks before your appointment.

Stop tweezing, waxing, or threading (for brow appointments)

Your artist needs your natural brow hair to be visible to assess your shape and pattern. Hair removal in the brow area should stop at least 2 weeks before your appointment.

If you regularly maintain very groomed brows, you’ll need to let some hair grow back in to allow proper assessment.

One Week Before Your Appointment

This is when day-to-day preparation begins.

Avoid intense facial treatments

No facials, chemical peels, microneedling, IPL, laser treatments, or microdermabrasion on or near the treatment area in the 7 days before. These treatments stress the skin and can affect PMU outcome.

Continue good skincare elsewhere

You can maintain your normal skincare routine on the rest of your face — just avoid the immediate treatment area. Keep your skin hydrated, use SPF, and avoid anything that’s caused irritation recently.

Drink water

Well-hydrated skin heals better than dehydrated skin. In the week before your appointment, drink water consistently. Aim for clear or pale yellow urine as your hydration indicator.

Plan your post-appointment day

Plan a quiet day after your appointment. For brow and eyeliner clients, you can return to most normal activities — but you’ll want to avoid sweating, swimming, and direct sun. For lip blush clients, you’ll want soft foods available and eating supplies (straws, soft cutlery).

Confirm logistics

Confirm your appointment time. Confirm the studio address and arrival instructions. Plan your transport. If you’re driving, parking arrangements should be sorted in advance.

Eat well

Your skin reflects your nutrition. In the week before, eat consistent meals with adequate protein, healthy fats, and vegetables. This isn’t a moment to start a restrictive diet.

48 Hours Before Your Appointment

The preparation tightens up here.

Stop drinking alcohol

Alcohol thins the blood, increases swelling during the procedure, and worsens recovery. Stop drinking 48 hours before your appointment. Do not “have one to relax” the night before — it works against you.

Stop caffeine the morning of

Reduce caffeine intake on the day before, and avoid it entirely on the morning of your appointment. Caffeine thins the blood, accelerates heart rate (which increases bleeding), and makes the procedure less comfortable.

If you’re a heavy coffee drinker, taper down over several days rather than stopping abruptly to avoid headaches.

Get good sleep

Sleep affects how you’ll handle the 2 to 3 hour procedure. Get 7 to 8 hours the night before. Avoid alcohol-induced sleep — it’s lower quality than natural sleep.

Pre-medication for cold sore prone clients (for lip blush)

If you’re booking lip blush and have any history of cold sores (even occasional, even years ago), you need antiviral medication starting 2 to 3 days before your appointment.

Speak with your GP for a prescription of Valacyclovir or Aciclovir. Take as directed, starting 2 to 3 days before treatment and continuing for 5 days after. This prevents the PMU procedure from triggering a cold sore outbreak, which is common in carriers and can affect healing.

Even if your last cold sore was 10 years ago, the virus stays in your body. Take the antivirals.

For full information on lip blush considerations, see our Korean lip blush guide.

24 Hours Before Your Appointment

Final preparation.

Hydrate well

Drink water consistently throughout the day. Avoid excessive alcohol or caffeine.

Eat a proper meal the night before

A balanced dinner with protein, complex carbohydrates, and vegetables. This stabilises your blood sugar for the procedure.

Don’t try any new products or treatments

This isn’t the day to try a new face mask, new skincare product, or anything novel. Stick to your standard routine.

Confirm any last questions with your artist

If you have questions about the procedure, the appointment, or what to expect, reach out to your artist now — not on the morning of the appointment.

Lay out what you’re bringing

A small list:

Photo ID
Any consent forms your artist sent in advance (signed)
Reference photos of styles you like and don’t like
Sunglasses for the journey home (especially for eyeliner)
A list of medications you’re currently taking
A water bottle
Light snack (granola bar, banana) in case the procedure takes longer than expected

The Morning of Your Appointment

The day itself.

Eat a substantial breakfast

A proper meal with protein and complex carbohydrates. Eggs and toast. Porridge with nuts and fruit. Avocado and toast with eggs.

Do not arrive hungry. Low blood sugar during the procedure makes clients feel faint, jittery, or unwell.

Hydrate

Drink water with breakfast. Continue sipping water on your way to the appointment.

Skip caffeine

No coffee, no caffeinated tea, no energy drinks. Decaf is fine if you genuinely need a hot drink.

Arrive with clean skin

Arrive without makeup on the treatment area. Cleanse normally, but skip moisturiser on the immediate treatment area (other areas of your face are fine).

For brow clients: no brow makeup. Your natural brows should be visible.

For lip blush clients: no lip products. Lips should be naturally hydrated but bare.

For eyeliner clients: no eye makeup at all. Remove all traces of mascara, liner, shadow.

Wear comfortable clothing

You’ll be lying or sitting for 2 to 3 hours. Wear something comfortable — soft fabrics, no constricting waistbands or collars. Avoid white or light colours near the face in case of any minor pigment transfer.

Don’t wear jewellery near the treatment area

Earrings are fine for brow appointments. For eyeliner, consider removing earrings if they might catch on cotton pads during the procedure. Hair should be tied back and away from the face.

Take any prescribed medications normally

Unless your artist or GP has advised otherwise, take your normal medications at their usual time. Inform your artist what you’ve taken on arrival.

Use the bathroom before the procedure starts

You’ll be lying or sitting still for 2 to 3 hours. Use the bathroom immediately before the procedure begins.

Bring your phone or a book

Most clients listen to music or podcasts during the procedure. Bring headphones. Some prefer to chat with the artist throughout — both approaches are fine.

Plan to stay focused for 2 to 3 hours

You can talk, listen to music, or be quiet during the procedure. What you can’t do is move your face, shift position significantly, or check your phone constantly. Plan accordingly.

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What to Bring to Your Appointment

A checklist:

Photo ID
Any pre-completed forms your artist sent
Reference photos (on your phone or printed)
Sunglasses for the journey home
A water bottle
A light snack
A list of current medications and supplements
Your phone, charger, headphones, or book/audiobook
Comfortable clothing (you’re already wearing this)
Cash or card for any incidental needs (parking, taxi)
Confirmation of your touch-up appointment date (if not yet booked, this will be scheduled during your appointment)

What to Do After Your Appointment

A quick preview — full healing protocols are in the service-specific aftercare guides.

For the first 24 hours:

Apply cold compresses if there’s any swelling (eyeliner and lip blush particularly)
Sleep on your back if possible, slightly elevated
Avoid alcohol entirely
Eat a normal dinner (soft foods for lip blush clients)
Follow the specific aftercare your artist provides

For complete day-by-day aftercare:

Brows: see our microblading aftercare guide
Lips: see our lip blush aftercare guide
Eyeliner: see our permanent eyeliner aftercare guide

Common Questions About PMU Preparation

Can I exercise the day before? Light exercise is fine. Avoid heavy training, hot yoga, or intense cardio in the 24 hours before — these can affect your hydration and bruising tendency.

What if I’m on my period? Most artists are happy to proceed during menstruation. Some clients report slightly more sensitivity during their period; if this is significant for you, you can reschedule. There’s no medical reason not to proceed.

What if I’ve recently had Botox in the area? Wait at least 2 weeks after Botox before PMU in the same area. Settled Botox is fine; fresh Botox may move around during the procedure or interact unpredictably.

What if I’ve had lip filler? Wait at least 4 to 6 weeks after lip filler before lip blush. Fresh filler isn’t compatible with PMU.

What if I have a cold or am unwell on the day? Reschedule. Your immune system needs to be focused on healing, not fighting infection. Most artists accommodate genuine illness rescheduling without penalty.

What if I’m anxious? Discuss anxiety with your artist in advance. Most clients are nervous for their first PMU. Knowing what to expect helps significantly — read the procedure walkthroughs in advance. Some clients find taking a friend along to the waiting area helpful.

Should I avoid certain foods? Avoid blood-thinning supplements (vitamin E, fish oil, high-dose vitamin C), excessive alcohol, and caffeine in the 24-48 hours before. Otherwise, eat normally.

What if I want to look at the design before agreeing to start? You absolutely should. Reputable artists design the proposed work in cosmetic pencil before any pigment is applied. You’ll see exactly what’s planned and approve it before starting.

What if I change my mind during the consultation or before the procedure? That’s fine. Reputable artists will not pressure you to proceed if you’re not certain. Many studios will retain your deposit but will not force the procedure.

What if I’m late or need to reschedule? Contact your artist as early as possible. Most reschedule policies require 24 to 48 hours notice for a free reschedule. Same-day cancellations typically forfeit the deposit.

Red Flags in Your Preparation

If any of these apply, contact your artist before your appointment.

You’ve recently been sunburnt on the treatment area. Reschedule.

You’ve recently used retinoids or exfoliating acids on the area. Be honest with your artist — they may proceed cautiously or reschedule.

You’re unwell with a fever, cold, or flu. Reschedule.

You’ve started a new medication recently that may affect bleeding or healing. Discuss with your artist.

You’ve recently had filler, Botox, or other cosmetic procedures in the area. Confirm timing with your artist.

You’ve had a recent skin condition flare-up (eczema, psoriasis, acne) in the treatment area. Discuss before proceeding.

A reputable artist welcomes these conversations and will adjust the plan accordingly. Honesty in preparation produces better outcomes than hoping minor issues go unnoticed.

A Note on Realistic Expectations

Coming into your appointment with realistic expectations is part of preparation too. PMU is not magic. The procedure done well will produce beautiful, natural-looking results that you’ll love for years. The procedure done well will not transform your face, make you look 20 years younger, or fix concerns that PMU isn’t designed to address.

Spend time in the week before your appointment reviewing your artist’s portfolio. Notice the range of results. Look at healed work, not just immediately-after photos. Set your expectations on what’s realistic for clients with similar features and skin to yours.

For full guidance on what to look for in an artist and their portfolio, see our guide to choosing the best PMU artist in London.

Ready to Book Your Consultation?

If you’re researching how to prepare because you’re considering booking PMU, the first step is consultation — not the procedure itself. We offer free consultations at our Knightsbridge studio where we’ll discuss whether PMU is right for you, which technique suits you, and what to expect at every stage.

After consultation, you’ll have time to prepare properly using this guide. We won’t pressure you to book your procedure at the consultation stage.