How Hormones, Medications & Lifestyle Affect Your Permanent Makeup Results

One of the most important things we teach every client at The Girly Birds is this: Permanent makeup is not a “one-size-fits-all” service. Your body plays a huge role in how your brows, lips, or eyeliner heal.

Even with perfect technique, sterile tools, and high-quality pigments, your results are influenced by what’s happening inside your body just as much as what we do in the studio.

Here’s a simple breakdown of how hormones, medications, and lifestyle can affect your permanent makeup—and how to set yourself up for the best possible healed results.

1. Hormones

Hormones impact everything from your skin’s oil production to your pain sensitivity and healing speed.

Menstrual Cycle

During your period (and the days leading up to it):

• Skin can be more sensitive

• You may bleed a little more

• Pain tolerance is lower

• Retention can be slightly less

If possible, try to avoid scheduling your appointment during your heaviest PMS days. You can still get the service—it just may be a little more uncomfortable.

Hormonal Imbalances

Conditions like:

• PCOS

• Thyroid disorders

• Perimenopause/menopause

…can affect oil levels, inflammation, and healing. Oily skin may push pigment out faster, while dry or thin skin may retain color differently.

2. Medications

Certain medications affect bleeding, healing, and pigment retention. Always let us know what you are taking—your safety comes first.

Blood Thinners

This includes:

• Prescription blood thinners

• Aspirin

• Ibuprofen

• Fish oil

• Vitamin E

These can cause extra bleeding during the procedure, which pushes pigment out and leads to poor retention. (Always talk to your doctor before stopping any prescribed medication.)

Hormone-Based Medications

Birth control, fertility treatments, and HRT (hormone replacement therapy) can shift how your body heals and holds color.

Acne Medications

• Accutane or similar medications require a 12-month waiting period before PMU. They thin and sensitize the skin, making PMU unsafe.

Steroids & Immunosuppressants

These slow healing and can reduce pigment retention.

3. Lifestyle Factors

Your day-to-day habits majorly impact your results before, during, and after healing.

Smoking

Smoking:

• Reduces oxygen flow

• Slows healing

• Increases fading

• Can alter color outcome

Brows on smokers often fade faster and may require more frequent touch-ups.

Alcohol

Alcohol thins the blood. Drinking within 24 hours of your appointment can lead to more bleeding and less pigment retention.

Diet

High sugar-inflammatory diets can slow healing. Hydrated, nourished skin always heals best.

Stress

Stress affects your immune system and your body’s ability to heal cleanly.

Sun Exposure

This is one of the biggest reasons permanent makeup fades quickly. Always protect your PMU with SPF once fully healed.

Skin Type

• Oily skin: brows may heal softer, with less crisp definition

• Dry skin: color often heals beautifully but can flake more

• Sun-damaged skin: may retain color unevenly

4. Why Your Consultation Matters

This is exactly why we take our consultations seriously at The Girly Birds. We want to understand:

• Your health

• Your medications

• Your skin

• Your lifestyle

• Your goals

The more we know, the better we can customize your treatment and set you up for the best healed results possible.

5. What You Can Do to Improve Your Results

Here are a few simple steps to boost your retention:

• Stay hydrated the week of your appointment

• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours

• Avoid blood thinners if your doctor approves

• Keep stress low if you can

• Follow your aftercare instructions exactly

• Protect your PMU from sun exposure

• Schedule your Perfecting Session

Permanent makeup is a two-step process, and your aftercare is half the result.

Final Thoughts

Permanent makeup is an amazing investment in your confidence and your time—but it’s still a collaboration between your artist and your body.

At The Girly Birds, our goal is to educate, support, and guide you so your brows, lips, or eyeliner heal beautifully and last as long as possible. When you understand how your hormones, medications, and lifestyle influence your results, you walk into your appointment informed, empowered, and prepared.

If you ever have questions about whether you’re a good candidate or how something might affect your healing, we’re always here to help.