Pre & post care

All cosmetic tattoo treatments

2 weeks before

• Stop retinol, AHA/BHA acids, peels and facials on or near the area
• Avoid tanning and sunburn. We can’t tattoo sunburnt or peeling skin
• Anti-wrinkle injections or filler at least 2 weeks before (4 weeks for lips)

48 hours before

• Avoid fish oil, vitamin E, aspirin and ibuprofen, which can thin the blood. If a doctor has prescribed a blood thinner, keep taking it and let us know when you book

24 hours before

• No alcohol
• No caffeine on the day, including coffee, energy drinks and pre-workout
• No intense exercise on the day

Please let us know before booking if you

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Are taking, or have recently finished, antibiotics or Roaccutane
• Have a skin condition, irritation or breakout on the area
• Have any medical condition we should know about

Brows

• No waxing, tweezing, threading or tinting for 1 week before. Let them grow so we can map your natural shape
• No brow lamination for 2 weeks before
• Come with no makeup on your brows

Lips

• If you have ever had a cold sore, see your doctor or pharmacist about antiviral tablets before your appointment. Lip tattooing can trigger a cold sore even if you haven’t had one in years
• We can’t treat lips with an active cold sore. Please reschedule if one appears
• Gently exfoliate your lips in the days before your treatment to remove dry, flaky skin
• Apply a hydrating lip balm daily for the week before. Soft, smooth lips take colour more evenly

Eyeliner

• Remove lash extensions, and stop lash lifts and tints, 1 week before
• Stop lash growth serums 4 weeks before
• Don’t wear contact lenses on the day. Bring your glasses and sunglasses
• Come with no eye makeup, especially mascara

All cosmetic tattoo treatments

• Wash your hands before touching the area, and only touch it to apply aftercare
• Apply only the aftercare balm we give you, in a very thin layer
• Never pick, scratch or peel flakes. Let them fall away on their own
• For 10 to 14 days avoid sun, swimming, saunas, steam rooms and heavy sweating
• Keep makeup, skincare and sunscreen off the treated area until it has healed
• Sleep on your back if you can for the first few nights, on a clean pillowcase

Brows: what to expect

Days 1 to 3

The colour looks bold and dark and the area may feel tender. Gently blot any clear fluid with a clean tissue on day one.

Days 4 to 10

Light flaking and itching. Don’t pick.

Weeks 2 to 3

Brows can look patchy or too light. This is normal while the skin settles.

Weeks 4 to 6

The true healed colour appears.

Lips: what to expect

First 48 hours

Swelling and tenderness are normal. A cold compress wrapped in a clean cloth helps.

Days 3 to 7

Lips peel and can look lighter, or like they have lost colour. The colour returns as they heal.

Weeks 4 to 6

The final colour softens in.

• Drink through a straw for the first few days and avoid spicy, salty or acidic food
• Keep your lips moist with the balm. Dry lips heal patchy
• Keep taking antivirals if your doctor prescribed them
• If a cold sore appears, contact us and your pharmacist straight away

Eyeliner: what to expect

First 24 to 48 hours

Some puffiness is normal. A cold compress wrapped in a clean cloth helps.

• No contact lenses for 3 days. Start a fresh pair when you go back to them
• No mascara or eye makeup for 7 days. Start a new mascara afterwards
• No lash extensions, tints, lifts or curling for 2 weeks
• Don’t rub your eyes, and avoid harsh cleansers, oils or makeup wipes on the lash line

Touch-up & long-term care

• Your perfecting session is booked 4 to 8 weeks after your first treatment, once the skin has healed
• Use SPF 50 on healed brows and lips (lip SPF balm) to keep colour lasting longer
• Keep retinol and acids off healed tattoos, as they fade pigment faster
• Tell your skin therapist or doctor about your cosmetic tattoo before any laser, IPL or peel treatments

When to contact us or see a doctor

Some redness, tenderness and swelling in the first few days is normal. If you notice spreading redness, heat, increasing pain, pus or fever, see your doctor straight away and let us know.

Before your session

• Brush and floss as normal before your appointment
• If your teeth are prone to sensitivity, use a sensitivity toothpaste for a few days beforehand
• Please tell us before booking if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have tooth decay, gum disease, loose fillings or recent dental work, or wear braces
• Crowns, veneers, caps and fillings may only lighten slightly. Every case is different, and natural teeth show the biggest change

After your session

The 48-hour “white diet”

Your teeth are more likely to stain for the first 48 hours, so stick to light-coloured food and drink.

• Enjoy: water, milk, chicken, white fish, rice, pasta, potatoes, plain yoghurt, white cheese and bananas
• Avoid: coffee, tea, red wine, cola and coloured drinks, soy and tomato sauces, curry, berries, beetroot and smoking
• Some sensitivity is normal and usually settles within a day or two. A sensitivity toothpaste helps, and so does avoiding very hot or cold drinks
• Long term: rinse with water after coffee, tea or red wine, keep up regular dental cleans, and book a refresh session whenever you’d like to brighten again

Before your treatment

5 days before

• Stop retinol, AHA/BHA acids, exfoliating scrubs and vitamin C on the area

1 week before

• Avoid tanning and sunburn

2 weeks before

• No anti-wrinkle injections or filler in the area

24 hours before

• No alcohol. No caffeine or intense exercise on the day
• Come with clean skin and no makeup

Please let us know if you

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have taken Roaccutane in the last 6 months
• Have an active breakout, cold sore or skin infection in the area
• Are prone to cold sores (antivirals from your doctor beforehand may help)

After your treatment

What to expect

Redness like a mild sunburn, mild swelling and tightness, which mostly settle within 24 to 48 hours. Light flaking can follow for a few days. Don’t pick.

• First 24 hours: don’t touch your face, apply makeup or use any products other than your recommended aftercare
• O Cosmedics take-home kit, $40: mini Cleanser, Pure Age Defiance and Recovery. Professional-grade skincare to soothe, hydrate and support your skin while it heals. Ask us on the day
• First 48 hours: no exercise, sweating, saunas, steam rooms or swimming
• For 7 days: no retinol, acids, exfoliants or vitamin C. Use a gentle cleanser and moisturiser
• Every day: SPF 50 and a hat outdoors. Avoid direct sun for the first week
• Sleep on a clean pillowcase the first night
• For best results: treatments are spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, usually as a course of 3 to 5 sessions
• Contact us or a doctor if you notice pus, increasing pain, fever, a cold sore outbreak, or redness that gets worse after 48 hours