Am I a Good Candidate for Permanent Makeup?
12 Health & Skin Factors to Check Before You Book
Thinking about permanent makeup but not sure if it’s safe for you?
You’re not alone. Many of my clients in Pacifica and the Bay Area message me with questions like:
“I’m on medication, can I still do lip blushing?”
“I had cold sores before, is lip tattoo okay?”
“I have sensitive skin—am I a good candidate?”
Because permanent makeup is a tattoo procedure, your health, skin condition, and lifestyle all matter. On my website, I already list clear health restrictions in my policy and before/aftercare pages, but I wanted to create a friendly, easy article to guide you step-by-step.
I’m Gigi, certified permanent makeup artist and owner of Gigi Beauty PMU in Pacifica, CA. In this guide, I’ll walk you through 12 important health and skin factors so you can understand when PMU is perfect for you—and when it may need to wait or be avoided.
⚠️ This article is for general education only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about your specific situation before any cosmetic tattoo service.
1. What does “a good candidate” for permanent makeup mean?
A good PMU candidate is someone who:
Has no major health contraindications (conditions that make PMU unsafe)
Has realistic expectations about healing and results
Can follow before & aftercare instructions to support proper healing
Understands that PMU is semi-permanent, not a “one time and perfect forever” service
If that sounds like you, you’re already on the right track.
2. Situations where I cannot perform permanent makeup
For safety reasons, there are some cases where I must say no to permanent makeup. These are listed in detail in my studio policy, but here are the most important ones:
If any of these apply to you, you are not a candidate for PMU at this time:
Under 18 years old
Pregnant or currently nursing
Uncontrolled diabetes (if your diabetes is controlled, you must consult your physician first)
Active skin diseases or undiagnosed rashes on the area (eczema, psoriasis, etc.)
Transmittable blood conditions such as hepatitis or HIV
Currently on Accutane (you must be off Accutane for at least 1 year)
History of keloid scarring
Active skin cancer on the area to be treated
Certain serious heart conditions such as having a pacemaker, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or major heart problems
History of epilepsy
Open wounds on the treated area
Very sick with cold/flu, fever, or infection on the day of the appointment
If you’re unsure whether a condition is “controlled” or safe, please ask your doctor first and then we can talk.
3. Medications that may affect your eligibility
Some medications can thin your blood, slow healing, or affect how pigment sits in the skin. According to my policy and aftercare guide, some of the most important ones to consider are:
Blood thinners (aspirin, some heart medications, etc.)
Fish oil, Vitamin E, certain herbal supplements that thin the blood
Recent antibiotics
Accutane (must stop for at least 12 months before PMU)
In many cases, you may need to:
Get written approval from your physician, and/or
Stop certain supplements or non-essential medications a few days before (only with doctor approval)
Never stop a prescribed medication on your own just to do permanent makeup. Your health always comes first.
4. Skin conditions on the treatment area
Healthy skin is one of the keys to beautiful PMU results. In my studio policies and aftercare instructions, I mention that we can’t work over certain skin issues.
You may not be a good candidate (or may need to wait) if:
You have eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis on your brows, lips, or lash line
You have open wounds, active acne, or infections on the area
You have a history of keloid scarring (this is an absolute contraindication)
The skin is extremely thin, fragile, or damaged from previous bad tattoos or over-treatments
Sometimes we can still work around scars or older tattoos with careful planning, but it depends on the case. Photos really help me evaluate this.
5. Lips & cold sores (herpes history)
Lip blushing is one of my most popular services, especially for clients with darker or cool-tone lips. But if you’ve ever had a cold sore, even once, there is always a risk that lip tattooing can trigger another outbreak.
In my lip before-care instructions, I strongly recommend that clients with a cold-sore history:
Consult their doctor before the appointment
Ask about antiviral medications such as
Zovirax or Valtrex (usually 3–5 days before and after the procedure)
Or L-lysine supplements and/or Abreva cream, if recommended
We do not require a prescription from the studio, but I always want you to follow your doctor’s instructions. Proper antiviral support can help reduce the chance of a breakout and protect your final results.
6. Fillers, Botox & other cosmetic treatments
Permanent makeup and injectables can work beautifully together—but timing matters.
From my aftercare and FAQ:
You can sign up for lip permanent makeup about one month after lip filler so the shape has time to settle.
Many professionals recommend waiting around 2–6 weeks between PMU and filler/Botox so your skin can fully heal and you can see the true shape.
General rule:
If you recently had Botox or filler in the area, let me know.
We’ll plan your PMU after everything has settled, so your design is accurate and stable.
7. Lifestyle factors & healing commitment
Even if you’re medically a good candidate, your lifestyle can affect how your PMU heals and lasts. From my before/aftercare pages and healing guide, here are some important points:
During the first 10–14 days, you must be able to:
Avoid swimming, saunas, and hot tubs
Avoid heavy sweating (intense workouts, hot yoga)
Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds
Avoid makeup and active skincare directly on the treated area
Follow cleaning and ointment instructions exactly
If you have a very active lifestyle (daily intense workouts, frequent swimming, lots of sun), you’ll need to adjust your routine a bit during healing. If that’s impossible right now, it may be better to schedule your PMU for a quieter period.
8. Expectation check: PMU is a process, not magic
You’re a better candidate if you understand that:
Your brows, lips, or eyeliner will look darker and more intense at first, then soften by about 40–50% as they heal.
There will be a stage where they look patchy or uneven—this is normal.
Most clients need at least 2 sessions (initial + touch-up) for optimal results.
Some clients, especially with dark lips, oily skin, or previous tattoos, may need additional sessions for correction or neutralization.
If you’re okay with the idea of a process, not instant perfection, you’re likely a good fit mentally and emotionally for PMU.
9. When permanent makeup is usually a great idea
Based on my experience, PMU is especially helpful for:
Busy moms and professionals who don’t have time for daily makeup
Women with thin, uneven, or over-plucked brows
Clients with fading lip borders or pale lips who want a soft, natural tint
People with vision issues or shaky hands who struggle with eyeliner or brow pencils
Mature clients who want to restore definition in a subtle, age-appropriate way
For these clients, permanent makeup can be truly life-changing—saving time every morning and giving a big confidence boost.
10. Quick self-check: Are you a good candidate?
Here’s a simple checklist to guide you:
I am over 18
I am not pregnant or nursing
I have no serious uncontrolled health issues that my doctor hasn’t cleared
I do not have active skin disease, open wounds, or infections on the area
I understand I may need antiviral medication if I have a cold-sore history (for lips)
I can avoid alcohol, caffeine, and blood-thinning supplements before my appointment (unless medically necessary)
I can follow aftercare for 10–14 days
I am okay with a two-step process (initial + touch-up)
If you can honestly say “yes” to most of these, there’s a good chance you’re a strong candidate—but we’ll still confirm everything in a consultation.
11. Your next step: Let’s check together
Still unsure? That’s completely normal.
Here’s what you can do:
Read my Policy and Before & Aftercare pages
These outline all health restrictions and preparation steps in detail.We’ll review your health history
Look at your skin and natural brows/lips/eyes
Choose the best technique (ombre brows, combo brows, nano brows, lip blush, dark lip neutralization, lash line or winged liner… depending on your case)
Send me photos at gigi@gigibeautypmu.com
Clear, no-makeup photos in natural daylight
Front and side views of the area you want to treat
This helps me give you honest, personalized advice before you commit.
12. Final thoughts
Permanent makeup is powerful—but it must be done safely.
A “no” today doesn’t always mean “no forever.” Sometimes it just means:
Wait until you’re off a certain medication
Clear a skin condition with your dermatologist
Or adjust your timing around fillers, Botox, or life events
My goal at Gigi Beauty PMU in Pacifica, CA is not just to make you look beautiful—it’s to keep you safe, informed, and confident in every decision.
If you’re wondering, “Am I a good candidate for permanent makeup?”
👉 Book a free consultation, share your health history, and let’s find out together.
