Esthetics NW Services

Can Medications Really Affect My Esthetic or Permanent Cosmetic Service?

This is a common question clients often ask and the one word answer is Yes, medications can affect even the most simple skin care services.  Many medications have effects on the body aside from the reason they are being taken.  This is easily demonstrated – just listen to one of the many television commercials for prescription medications.  The list of possible side effects is rather staggering.  Of course not every person has these side effects but they can happen. Be sure to let your esthetician or permanent makeup artist know about all prescription and non-prescription drugs, supplements, topically applied products, eye drops, etcetera.  The more they know about what you use, the better an outcome they can help you achieve.  Do NOT stop taking your medications. Depending on the problem there are often workarounds. If your medication is a contraindication to doing the desired service your technician will probably recommend you talk to your doctor. Or they may request you confirm with your physician that having this procedure is safe for you. Your health and safety is our number one concern.

Cholesterol and blood pressure medications while not blood thinners, work to make the blood platelets not stick together. In permanent cosmetics this often means there may be more chance of a blood droplet coming to the surface. The down side is this molecule is bigger than the tattoo pigment molecule and can wash some of them away.  This leads to more color loss than would experienced on a client not on these medications.

Clients on thyroid medications often need permanent cosmetic procedures re-enhanced a little more frequently.  We have noticed that for whatever reason their color fades a little more quickly.

Blood thinning medications can also cause issues with permanent cosmetic procedures. You may be referred to get clearance from your physician.

Diabetic clients who are insulin dependent often do not heal as well and may be at a heightened risk for infection. They may need clearance from their physician for permanent cosmetic services, waxing or other more aggressive skin care treatments.

Use of retinoids (Vitamin A) or acids like Glycolic, Lactic or blends work to thin the dead skin of the epidermis. This means that a service like waxing, microdermabrasion or other exfoliating therapy increases the risk of skin irritation or even creating a wound.  Be sure to discuss use of any of these products, prescription or over the counter with your technician.

Restasis is a new concern as it has been observed that those who use it have increased sensitivity of the eyelid to the point that a permanent cosmetic eyeliner procedure is not well tolerated. Your technician may want you to discontinue use for 30 days before doing the tattoo procedure.  Do not restart use of the restasis for at least two weeks after your technician has determined it is completed. (Wait until all follow up work is finalized.)

Patients on chemotherapy drugs have a compromised immune system and may not heal well.  All of these drugs need your doctor’s written permission that this procedure is safe for you.

Botox and injectables are extremely popular today.  Any skin care or permanent cosmetic procedure is fine before having botox or injectables.  If you have had either a neurotoxin or filler injectable wait at least 2 weeks before having a facial massage, other skin care treatment, waxing, or permanent cosmetic.  The manipulation of the skin has a small potential for affecting the outcome and lasting of your injection site.  For a lip coloration procedure the best timing is before any fillers are injected. This has been clinically observed to produce the best most predictable outcome.

Herbs and supplements can also have an impact on the skin.  Some can cause blood thinning or skin thinning.  Be sure to provide your technician with a complete list of everything that you take so that we can avoid unexpected complications and make sure you have the safest procedure with the most positive outcome.

33 thoughts on “Can Medications Really Affect My Esthetic or Permanent Cosmetic Service?”

    1. I’ve not had issues with diuretics impacting permanent cosmetics. I think it would depend on your general health, healing ability and other medications that you may also take.

    1. I have had many clients who were on thyroid medications that have successfully had permanent makeup. Sometimes the thyroid condition relates to less color hold, but I’ve always had good success.

    1. Since terbafine is used to treat certain skin disorders, I would recommend you getting your physician to answer that question. It may be perfectly fine, or it could pose a risk of aggravating the problem. Medical considerations always should be cleared before any tattoo/microblading procedure.

    1. I’ve not had specific issues with statins, but it’s always best to check with your physician to make sure having microblading or any other form of cosmetic tattooing is safe for you.

    1. I have lots of clients with thyroid issues and never had a problem with doing the procedure. It is always a good idea to check with your physician depending on the severity of your condition and make sure it is safe for you.

    1. Eyedrops of any nature should not impact the eyebrows. If you are thinking of eyeliner – microblading is not a good choice and can lead to scaring in the area. A round needle configuration rather than the linear needles called a blade is much safer. If it is eyeliner you are considering, I don’t think the eye drops would be a problem. However, I don’t recommend doing the process if your eyes are irritated from allergies – it could exacerbate the issue. Get the eyes calmed down first, then have the procedure.

  1. Can I take Gabapentin to help with discomfort during my microblading session? My got said it checks out but I’d like to make sure with a couple of others if it’s okay or if it will even help with easing the discomfort..?

    1. I don’t recall any clients taking this drug before or after eyebrow work. I’m not a pharmacist but I’d sure suggest you check with one. They are the most knowledgeable about how drugs work. Some people take a relaxant and that helps. Painkillers don’t work because the microblading or cosmetic tattooing is so superficial the medication doesn’t impact it.

  2. I booked a ln eyebrow session early November bit I just went on a 10 day regimen of antibiotics (amoxicillin) prescribed for a root canal. Can microblading be done after taking antibiotics?

    1. I’m not a physician and every person is different. If in doubt check with your physician or pharmacist about any timing of medications and microbading or other micropigmentation.

    1. I have had clients who were taking tamoxifen in the past and it didn’t seem to be an issue. But as a non-medical practitioner, I always refer you back to your physician or pharmacist to asses potential issues with medications.

  3. what can I do , if my client has lupus ,and is taking cellcert , didnt said anything and I couldn’t finish because she was bleeding a lot , and didn’t tell me after I was doing microblading on her , I stop I couldn’t finish . when can I fixed it and what can I do recommendation please

    1. Hi Zully,
      You were smart to stop and sounds like it may be important to update your questionnaire. Sometimes clients just don’t think something is important that may be critical to our work.
      In a case like this…Refer her back to her doctor. You need their written authorization that it is safe to work on her. Some clients just will never be safe to work on. Look for those red flags!!!! If the doctor says don’t then DON’T. If the client wants you do to it anyway, DON’T. She has an autoimmune disorder and could end up with a serious medical situation. Your number one job isn’t to create beautiful brows…it’s to DO NO HARM for the client.

    1. Your answer has your clue – Scars. Don’t go there. You cannot fix her medical condition or the problems it causes. Refer her to her doctor and do not attempt to do any additional work without her bleeding condition being under control. Some things you cannot achieve, this is one.

      For health reasons she may need to be on certain medications that are causing the problem. – That means she is NOT a candidate. Don’t touch her.

      You have learned something valuable. Ask more questions. Sometimes ask about health issues in different ways. You have to discover what she doesn’t think is important.

      Need more professional support and mentoring? Consider joining the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals: http://www.spcp.org. I’ve been a member since the early 1990’s, they are a wealth of accurate, up to date information, subject matter experts and continuing education. I strongly recommend them.

  4. i recently had a microblading session this was about 5 weeks ago and I’m due for my retouch appointment soon but the procedure hasn’t taken. i still don’t have any eyebrows even though my thyroid is under control and it has been under control for 7 yrs immediately after I was diagnosed

    1. The microblading technique is placed very superficially and the lack of color holding could be associated with that. It could be several things including the technique used by the person who did it, and their experience in offering it. I would need to see it in order to evaluate.

  5. I have lupus and fibromyalgia. I just got microblading and permanent make up on my eye brows. Can I take prednisone(steroid)?

    Reply: Lisa this is something you should ask your physician or pharmacist. It’s not something I can advise you on. Call your doctor’s office.

  6. Am I suitable for eyebrow tattooing or microblading? I take Amitriptyline, Lansoprazole, Metformin, Simvastatin, Thiamine, Vit B compound, Bisoprolol, Candesartan & Acamprosate

    1. Hi Jenny,
      Anytime a client is taking multiple medications, we know there is some sort of potential for it impacting the process. Some drugs make you bleed more. Others affect the durability of the pigment in the skin.
      I noticed you are from the UK. I have visited there frequently to visit family and it’s been my experience that there is some variation in drugs offered. So it’s not just identifying the drugs… and I’m familiar with most of these… it’s also about dosage and how the drugs interact with each other.
      In situations like yours, I always suggest the client check with their doctor’s office to make sure it is safe for them to do the procedure at this time. We get 4 different types of answers back.
      1. No health risks, proceed with your eyebrows.
      2. The doctor recommends they take an antibiotic prior to the procedure to reduce the risk of infection – especially true for someone who has just had some sort of an implant.
      3. The doctor says to move ahead, but to stop or change the way they take one of the drugs for a few days before the procedure.
      4. It’s not the best time for you to have this done. RX – get healthier first.

      Most clients realize we are trying to protect them. A few get upset with the inconvenience. That’s okay. We follow the professional “standards of care”. Our first job is to “do no harm”.. We don’t want to put your health at risk.
      I don’t know where you are located in the UK but if you are anywhere near one of the Karen Betts Permanent Cosmetic clinics, I know you will get excellent assistance there. https://www.karenbetts.com/

  7. Hi,
    I’ve recently got eye’s stay and my gp gave me Flucloxacillin Ca 500mg , 5g Sodium Fusidate Ey 1% (FUC CSL) can I still have permanent eyebrows (eyebrows shading) while I’m taking these drugs?
    Thanks

    1. My apologies for not responding to this message, my web host just informed me of THIS message thread. By now I hope you have healed enough to no longer need the antibiotics. Depending upon what a client has been prescribed the antibiotics for, I typically hold off on their permanent make-up until the coarse of treatment has been completed. Unless you have a physician’s authorization to proceed.

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