Before your appointment
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and blood thinners for 24–48 hours
- Pause retinol, AHAs, and active skincare on the area for 7 days
- No waxing, threading, or tinting in the treatment area for 1 week
- Stay hydrated — well-hydrated skin holds pigment beautifully
- Eat a full meal before arriving
The first 7–10 days
- Keep the area clean and dry per the protocol provided at your appointment
- No swimming, saunas, steam rooms, or heavy sweating
- Avoid direct sun exposure — wear a hat outdoors
- Do not pick or scratch flaking — let it shed naturally
- Sleep on a clean pillowcase, ideally on your back
Weeks 2–6
Color softens dramatically as the skin completes healing. What looks faded at week 3 will often resurface and bloom into the finished tone by week 5. We finalize density and shape at your perfecting session.
Long-term care
- SPF daily — UV is the biggest cause of pigment fade
- Keep retinol and acids off the treated area as a habit
- Plan a refresh every 12–24 months to keep color crisp
Frequently asked questions
+When should I stop retinol or actives before my appointment?
Pause retinol, AHAs, BHAs, and other actives on the treatment area for at least 7 days before your appointment, and for the full healing period afterward.
+Can I work out the day after?
Avoid heavy sweating, swimming, saunas, and steam rooms for the first 7–10 days. Light walking is fine.
+Why does color look 'gone' during healing?
Skin sheds a top layer of pigment in week 2 — color often looks faded for several days, then blooms back through weeks 3–5 as healing completes. This is normal and expected.
+How long until I see the final result?
Final color, softness, and shape settle by week 6. Your perfecting session is scheduled after that point.