PMU Aftercare Guide | Brows, Lips & Laser — Skarlet Leon Bournemouth
Client Guide  ·  Healing  ·  Bournemouth

Your Aftercare Guide

The treatment is my job. What happens next is yours. What you do in the first 1–14 days makes a bigger difference to your result than most people realise.

Your aftercare balm and full instructions are provided at your appointment. This guide is your reference to come back to.

By Skarlet Leon  ·  PMU Specialist  ·  Queens Park, Bournemouth
Aftercare guide Skarlet Leon PMU Bournemouth

The treatment is my job. The aftercare is yours — and it makes all the difference.

Brow PMU — healing guide

Your brows are healing. Here’s how to protect them.

Your brows will look darker and more defined immediately after — this is completely normal. The full, settled result takes 4–6 weeks to emerge. Every stage you go through is expected. Please be patient and trust the process.

The single most important rule: Never pick, scratch or peel the skin over your brows. Peeling skin is part of healing. If you pull it off early, the pigment comes with it. Let everything fall away naturally — it always does.

Your aftercare product
Brow aftercare balm provided by Skarlet Leon
Brow Aftercare Balm — provided at your appointment

Apply a rice grain sized amount — a very thin layer. Never apply heavily. Apply only on completely dry brows — never on damp skin. Use clean fingertips or a fresh cotton swab each time. Use maximum half a sachet per session and save the other half for your touch-up appointment. Excess balm suffocates the skin and damages the healing process — less is always more.

2–3 times daily, Days 1–7
Day by day aftercare
30 mins after
Gently dab the area with a damp cotton pad or splash with lukewarm water and pat dry — removes lymph fluid and previously applied cream. Repeat every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours. Always wash hands first.
After 2 hours
Apply a tiny, rice-grain amount of balm to both brows. Continue the same routine every 2–3 hours until bedtime. This keeps the wound clean and prevents heavy scab formation.
Night 1
Try to sleep on your back to avoid rubbing brows on your pillow. Change your pillowcase for the cleanest possible healing environment.
Days 2–7
Each morning: wash hands, gently cleanse brows with mineral water, rinse, pat dry, apply thin layer of balm. Keep the area clean and dry throughout the day.
Days 4–10
Flaking and peeling begins. Colour looks lighter and patchy underneath. Do not pick. Let everything fall away on its own timeline.
Week 2–3
The “ghost phase” — colour looks very faint or almost invisible. This happens to every client. The pigment is settling into the deeper skin layer. It is still there.
Week 4–6
True healed colour emerges. Touch-up appointment at 6–8 weeks to refine shape, colour and any patches. This is a normal and expected part of the process.
The key rules
Apply balm — rice grain amount on dry brows
Rice grain only — always on dry brows
No picking or scratching brows during healing
Never pick, scratch or peel
What to expect — day by day
Fresh brows just done PMU Bournemouth
Days 1–3
Darker & defined
Brows look darker than the final result. Some redness is normal. Keep clean and dry. Apply balm lightly on dry skin only.
Brow flaking healing stage PMU
Days 4–7
Flaking begins
Skin flakes and peels. Colour under looks lighter and patchy. Completely normal. Do NOT pick or peel. Let it fall away naturally.
Ghost phase brow healing PMU
Week 2
The ghost phase
Colour looks very light or almost invisible. Every single client goes through this. The pigment is still there — settling deeper. It will come back.
Healed brows result PMU Bournemouth
Week 4–6
True result emerges
Your real healed colour reveals itself. Touch-up at 6–8 weeks refines anything that needs perfecting. This is the moment we have both been waiting for.
Please do
  • Apply balm lightly on completely dry brows
  • Cleanse gently with mineral water each morning
  • Sleep on a clean pillowcase, on your back if possible
  • Keep the area clean and dry
  • Let flaking happen naturally
  • Message me if anything concerns you
Please avoid
  • Picking, scratching or peeling — ever
  • Getting brows wet for 10 days (showers, steam)
  • Gym, sauna, hot tubs, sweating (1 week)
  • Makeup on the treated area (1 week)
  • Sunscreen, creams or lotions directly on brows
  • Sleeping face-down for 10 days
  • Retinol, AHA, benzoyl peroxide (4 weeks)
  • Facials, Botox or chemical treatments (4 weeks)
  • Direct sun or tanning (4 weeks)
Touch-up appointment included
Included in your treatment
Touch-up appointment at 6–8 weeks
This is a normal and expected part of the process — not a correction, just the refinement that completes your result. Any lighter patches, gaps or colour adjustments are taken care of then.
Lip Blush — healing guide

Your lips are healing. Every stage is normal.

Your lips will look vivid and bright immediately after — much more than the final result. This is expected and temporary. The colour softens, settles and reveals its true self over the next 4–6 weeks. Be patient. Every stage you go through is completely normal.

The golden rule: Never pick, peel or rub the skin on your lips during healing. Removing a flake before it is ready removes pigment with it — that area heals lighter. Let everything fall away naturally, in its own time.

Your aftercare product
Lip aftercare balm Mio provided by Skarlet Leon
Lip Aftercare Balm (Mio) — provided at your appointment

Apply a rice grain sized amount only — lips should feel comfortable, not greasy. Always apply on completely dry lips. Use a clean cotton swab each time. Maximum half a sachet per session — save the other half for your touch-up. Over-applying suffocates the skin and delays healing. Less is always more.

3 times daily, Days 1–7
The wash step — yes, you must

Many clients are surprised by this — but you need to gently wash your lips during healing. This removes lymphatic fluid (the clear fluid that naturally weeps from healing skin) and bacteria that build up on the surface. If this fluid dries into a crust without being removed, it pulls pigment away when it falls off.

How to wash: Morning and night, Days 1–7. Clean fingertips, a tiny amount of mild unscented cleanser (baby shampoo, Cetaphil or Dial Soap), lukewarm water. Light pressure, about 10 seconds. Rinse thoroughly. Pat dry with a clean tissue. Wait until completely dry before applying balm.

Step by step
Wash lips gently to remove lymph fluid
Wash — remove lymph fluid morning & night
Apply lip balm rice grain amount on dry lips
Apply balm — rice grain, dry lips only
No picking peeling or scratching lips
Never pick, scratch or rub
Fresh pillowcase every night during healing
Fresh pillowcase every night
What to expect — day by day
Fresh vivid lip blush just done
Days 1–3
Super vivid & inflamed
Lips look very bright and slightly swollen — much more intense than the final result. Completely expected. Drink through a straw. Eat carefully.
Tight dry lips healing stage
Days 2–4
Tight & dry
Lips feel tight and dry. Keep washing morning and night. Apply balm on completely dry lips only. Completely normal.
Flaking lip blush healing stage
Days 4–7
Flaking begins
Skin flakes and colour looks patchy. Do NOT pick or peel. Continue washing and moisturising. Completely normal.
Ghost phase lip blush healing
Week 2–3
The ghost phase
Colour almost completely disappears — every client experiences this. It is coming back. Be patient.
Healed lip blush colour returns
Week 4–6
True colour emerges 🌸
Soft, natural, beautiful healed result. Your touch-up at 6–8 weeks refines anything that needs perfecting.
Please do
  • Wash gently morning & night, Days 1–7
  • Apply balm on completely dry lips only
  • Use a rice grain amount — never more
  • Drink through a straw first few days
  • Sleep on a fresh clean pillowcase
  • Continue antivirals if prescribed
Please avoid
  • Picking, peeling or rubbing
  • Applying balm on wet or damp lips
  • Spicy, acidic or very hot food (7 days)
  • Gym, sauna, swimming (7 days)
  • Lipstick on treated area until fully healed
  • Facials, Botox, chemical treatments (4 weeks)
  • Sun exposure during healing
  • Acids, retinol, exfoliants near lips

If a cold sore appears during healing — start antivirals immediately and message me. Do not panic. We will adjust the touch-up timeline accordingly, and your result can still be beautiful.

Touch-up appointment included lip blush
Included in your treatment
Touch-up at 6–8 weeks
Lip blush almost always needs a touch-up — this is expected and completely normal. Any lighter patches, uneven colour or retention issues are corrected at your included appointment.
Laser Removal — healing guide

After your laser session — what to expect

Laser removal works by breaking up the pigment particles under your skin so your immune system can carry them away naturally. This process continues for weeks after each session. What you do in the days following each treatment directly influences how effective the removal is.

Some redness, swelling and mild blistering in the treated area is completely normal after a laser session. This is your skin responding to the treatment — not a sign that anything has gone wrong. It settles within a few days.

Day by day aftercare
First 24 hrs
Keep the area clean and dry. A cool compress (not ice directly) soothes discomfort. No makeup over the area. Avoid touching unnecessarily.
Days 1–7
Gently clean with mild soap and water. Pat dry with a clean soft towel. Apply a thin layer of aloe vera or prescribed ointment. Do not pick or scratch any blistering or scabbing — this is critical to avoid scarring.
Days 7–14
Area calms significantly. Begin applying SPF50 every day — sun exposure during the removal process slows results and risks pigment changes. Keep the area moisturised with a fragrance-free product.
4+ weeks
Your immune system continues breaking down pigment for weeks after each session. Stay well hydrated — water supports your lymphatic system in clearing the pigment from your body.
Please do
  • Keep the area clean and dry
  • Apply cool compress if uncomfortable
  • Use SPF50 daily on the area once healed
  • Moisturise with fragrance-free product
  • Stay well hydrated every day
  • Wear loose, breathable clothing over the area
Please avoid
  • Picking, scratching or peeling any blistering
  • Sun exposure (4+ weeks after each session)
  • Makeup directly over treated area
  • Sweating, gym or sauna (48 hours)
  • Hot baths or hot tubs (72 hours)
  • Swimming or soaking (first week)
Laser removal multiple sessions
Stay patient — it works
Laser removal is a process
Results build session by session and the spacing between sessions matters as much as the sessions themselves. I will guide you on timing at every appointment.

For any discomfort, redness or mild burns after laser: Aloe vera gel, Sudocrem or any soothing fragrance-free cream can be applied to calm the skin. Keep the area clean and cool. If you have any concerns, message me.

3D Areola & Nipple — healing guide

Your areola tattoo is healing. Keep it covered. Keep it clean.

The golden rule of areola aftercare is simple: pigment that dries out is pigment that is lost. Do not let the area dry out or be exposed to air for more than 15 minutes at a time. Keep it clean, moisturised and protected throughout the healing process.

The most important rule: Never pick, peel or touch the healing area. If the skin flakes — let it fall away on its own. Picking removes pigment with it and causes patchy, uneven results.

Your healing shield — leave it on
Areola recovery healing shield plaster
Areola Recovery Shield — applied at your appointment

A specialist waterproof plaster designed specifically for post-tattoo nipple healing. Shower-proof. Leave this on for the full 7 days. It keeps moisture in and protects the pigment while it settles. Do not remove early.

On for 7 days
Days 1–7 — plaster stays on
Morning & Night
Boil the kettle and allow the water to cool completely. Gently bathe the areola with clean cooled water. Pat dry carefully — never rub. Apply the healing balm and cover immediately.
If fluid builds under plaster
Remove plaster in the shower. Let clean water run gently over the area. Pat dry. Apply balm. Apply a fresh plaster. Never leave uncovered for more than 15 minutes.
After cleaning
Apply the aftercare balm provided and cover with a fresh plaster or cling film. This keeps moisture in and prevents the pigment drying out — essential for retention.
Do not pick
If skin flakes or peels — leave it completely alone. Picking pulls pigment out and causes patchy results. Let everything heal in its own time.
Day 7 onwards — remove plaster, continue balm
Day 7
Remove the plaster in the shower — allow warm water to soften it first. Never pull a dry plaster off. Pat dry gently and assess the healing.
Days 7–14
Apply healing balm morning and night for a further 7 days. If the skin still feels tender, you can continue covering with cling film to protect against clothing friction.
True result
The fully healed result is visible at 6–8 weeks. Some colour will look lighter as healing progresses — this is normal. The settled result is what we assess at your touch-up.
Please do
  • Clean with cooled boiled water morning and night
  • Apply balm and cover immediately after cleaning
  • Keep covered — no more than 15 minutes of air exposure
  • Replace plaster in the shower if fluid builds up
  • Remove plaster in shower on day 7
  • Continue balm morning and night, Days 7–14
  • Message me if anything concerns you
Please avoid
  • Picking, touching or rubbing the area
  • Swimming, saunas or long baths (14 days)
  • Tight or lacy bras directly against the area (14 days)
  • Sun exposure on the treated skin
  • Skincare or makeup products on the area
  • Swimming pools or holidays within 4 weeks
  • Letting air get to the tattoo for more than 15 minutes

Some redness immediately after is completely normal. If redness persists beyond 24 hours, or you notice unusual swelling, warmth or discharge — contact me directly or speak to your GP. Do not wait.

Areola touch-up second session
Included in your treatment
Second session at 6–8 weeks
The areola tattoo is always a two-session process. At your second appointment I assess how the first session has healed and refine colour, definition and any areas that need adjustment. This is a normal and expected part of the procedure.

Want to know more about this procedure? Read the full guide — everything about 3D nipple tattooing, who it is for, what to expect and real client results. Read the complete guide →

Before you book

Who is not suitable for treatment

For your safety — please read this carefully before booking.

Cannot be treated if you:
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Have an active infection, irritation or sunburn in the area
  • Have an active cold sore (lip blush)
  • Are currently unwell or on antibiotics — wait 7 days after finishing
  • Are prone to keloid scarring
  • Have a known allergy to pigments or numbing agents
Doctor approval required if:
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Autoimmune condition
  • Compromised immune system
  • Undergoing chemotherapy or medical treatments
  • Taking strong acne medication (e.g. Isotretinoin)
  • Taking blood-thinning medication
Important to note
  • Botox or fillers must be done at least 2 weeks before or after your appointment
  • Chemical peels, laser or microneedling must be avoided 4 weeks before
  • Always inform me of any medical conditions, allergies or medications
Booking & appointment policy

Everything you need to know before your appointment

I believe in being completely transparent. Here is everything about how bookings work.

Non-refundable deposit requiredA deposit secures your appointment. It is part of the treatment cost — not a booking fee. Deposits are non-refundable but transferable with 48+ hours notice.
48 hours notice to reschedulePlease give at least 48 hours notice to keep your deposit. Same-day cancellations or no-shows forfeit the deposit. Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you.
Cash & bank transfer onlyCards are not accepted. Please bring cash or arrange bank transfer in advance. Payment details provided at booking.
Treatment durationBrow treatments: approx 2 hours. Lip Blush: approx 3 hours. Please arrive on time — late arrivals may affect your treatment time.

Something doesn’t look right?

Message me directly — I am always here. Healing questions, concerns, photos. You are not on your own with this.

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