Aftercare & pre-care

Before your appointment

Two weeks before

• No botox or filler near the area for 2–4 weeks before.
• Stop retinol, acids and strong actives on the area for 2 weeks.
• No waxing, threading or tinting for a week.
• Avoid sunbeds, tanning and sunburn.

48 hours before

• No alcohol for 24 hours before.
• Your patch test must be done at least 48 hours before.
• Lip treatments: if you've ever had cold sores, take antiviral medication for 5 days before your appointment.
• Never stop prescribed medication — just let me know what you take.

On the day

• Come with no makeup on the area, and eat beforehand.
• No caffeine on the morning of your appointment.
• Bring a reference photo of the look you love.
• Allow 2–3 hours.
• Try to avoid booking the week before your period, when skin is more sensitive.

Aftercare: the first seven days

• Keep the area completely dry — no water, steam or sweat.
• Blot gently with a clean tissue.
• No makeup on the area while it heals.
• Don't pick, peel or scratch.
• No swimming, saunas, sunbeds or heavy exercise.
• Keep out of direct sun, and sleep on your back.

Healing timeline

1. Days 1–3 Bold and darker than you expected. This is not the final result.
2. Days 4–7 Light flaking. Leave it alone and let it come away naturally.
3. Weeks 2–4 Colour softens and can look patchy — the "ghosting" stage. Completely normal.
4. Week 6 Your true colour has settled. Time for your top-up.

When to message me

• Redness, swelling or heat that's increasing after day three.
• The area feels hot, painful or is weeping.
• A patch has lifted early or lost its colour.
• Anything you're unsure about.

Flaking, itching and looking too dark in week one are all normal. Panicking is normal too — just message me.