Permanent Makeup Maintenance Explained
Everything you need to know about retouches, healing & long-term results
Permanent makeup is a beautiful, long-lasting treatment — but it is not a one-step process.
To achieve the best possible results, permanent makeup is built in stages, and maintaining those results over time is just as important as the initial appointment.
This page explains everything clearly, so you know exactly what to expect — no confusion, no hidden costs, just complete transparency.
Retouches explained
A retouch is not fixing something that has gone wrong.
It is a standard and necessary part of achieving the final result.
At your retouch, we may:
Build more colour
Add definition
Adjust shape
Strengthen eyeliner
Layer lip colour
Continue colour correction
Even out healed areas
Without a retouch, the treatment is not complete.
The PMU process: why maintenance is needed
Your initial appointment creates the foundation of your brows, lips or eyeliner.
Once your skin has healed, we assess how your body has retained the pigment and then refine, adjust and build the result at your retouch appointment.
This is completely normal.
Every client heals differently, and factors such as skin type, lifestyle, aftercare, hormones and immune response all affect how pigment settles.
Permanent makeup is a process — not a one-step treatment.
Retouch pricing we wish to be clear & transparent
We believe in being completely open about our pricing.
Retouches are charged separately from the initial appointment.
Retouch fee: £75 per area
For example:
Brows retouch: £75
Lip retouch: £75
Eyeliner retouch: £75
If you have had multiple areas treated, each area is charged individually.
This pricing is clearly outlined on our website and consultation forms prior to treatment.
When should I have my retouch?
We recommend booking your retouch within 4–8 weeks of your initial appointment.
This allows your skin to fully heal so we can accurately refine your results.
This timeframe is a guideline, not a strict cut-off.
A small delay will not affect your outcome.
However, leaving it for several months may mean the treatment is no longer considered a standard retouch.
What if there is a delay?
If your retouch is slightly delayed due to availability, illness or diary changes, this is usually not an issue.
If the delay is on our side, we will still honour the £75 retouch fee per area as a gesture of goodwill.
Our priority is always fairness and ensuring you feel supported throughout your treatment journey.
Bold styles & additional retouches
Some styles naturally require more than one retouch to achieve the desired result.
This is especially true for:
Bold, highly saturated lip colours
Full lip colour from a bare base
Bold, winged or shaded eyeliner eyeliner
Certain brow colour corrections
These treatments often need layering over multiple sessions to build depth and intensity safely.
The eye area in particular is extremely delicate. Overworking the skin in one session to try and achieve a very bold result can compromise healing and the final outcome.
For this reason, we may recommend an additional retouch for certain treatments.
This is not a problem — it is the correct and safest way to achieve the best possible result.
Yearly colour boosts
Permanent makeup fades over time — this is completely normal.
To keep your results looking fresh and defined, we recommend a yearly colour boost.
Most clients return every 12–18 months, but this varies depending on:
Skin type
Sun exposure
Skincare products
Lifestyle
Overall pigment retention
When should I book a colour boost?
If your PMU looks faded, soft or less defined, it may be time for a colour boost.
However, it is just as important not to do it too soon.
Over-treating the skin can affect long-term results.
If you are unsure, you are always welcome to:
👉 Send us a clear photo in natural lighting
👉 Ask for advice
We will always guide you honestly.
When does a retouch become a colour boost?
If too much time passes, the pigment may fade or settle in a way that requires more work than a standard retouch.
In these cases, the appointment may be charged as a Yearly Colour Boost
As a general guide:
Slightly over 4–8 weeks → usually fine
Several months (around 6 months or more) → may require a refresh
Healing process: what to expect
Healing is a key part of the PMU journey.
It is completely normal for your treatment to go through stages such as:
Colour appearing darker initially
Light scabbing or flaking
Patchy or uneven appearance during healing
Colour softening or fading
Areas appearing to “disappear” and return
This is all part of the process.
Your final result is only visible once the skin has fully healed and the retouch has been completed.
Everything you need to know about retouches, healing & long-term results
Every client heals differently, and while we always aim for the best possible outcome, there are a number of factors that can influence how well your pigment retains.
These are completely normal considerations within permanent makeup and do not mean anything has gone “wrong”.
Some of the most common factors include:
Skin type
Very oily, very dry or mature skin can sometimes retain pigment less evenly or require additional layeringPrevious work or scarring
Areas with scar tissue or previous treatments may not hold pigment as consistentlySmoking
Can affect circulation and slow the healing processAlcohol intake
Especially around the time of your appointment, this can impact healing and retentionMedications & health factors
Certain medications or medical conditions can influence how your skin heals and holds pigmentSun exposure & sunbeds
UV exposure can cause pigment to fade more quickly and affect long-term resultsActive skincare ingredients
Products such as retinol, acids or strong exfoliants can fade pigment and impact healing if used too soonAftercare
Following the correct aftercare is essential. For example, wearing mascara before eyeliner is fully healed, or exposing the area to moisture too early, can affect how the pigment settles
A gentle reminder
Permanent makeup is a two-part process for a reason.
Even when aftercare is followed perfectly, your skin may still require a retouch (or sometimes additional layering) to achieve the final result.
This is completely normal and expected.