Why You Need to Wait at Least 6 Months After Chemo or Radiotherapy Before Permanent Makeup

During and after cancer treatment, your body goes through an incredible amount of change — physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s only natural to want to feel more like yourself again as you begin to recover, and for many women, permanent makeup feels like a beautiful step towards that.

At Luisa Krayem Permanent Makeup, we often hear from women who are eager to book their brows, eyeliner, or lip treatments soon after finishing chemotherapy or radiotherapy. While the desire to restore confidence is completely understandable, it’s important to allow your skin — and your body — enough time to heal before having permanent makeup.

Understanding What Happens to Skin During Treatment

Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy can affect the skin’s structure and behaviour.

• Chemotherapy targets fast-dividing cells — not only cancer cells, but also the healthy cells responsible for hair growth and skin renewal. This can make your skin thinner, drier, and more sensitive for several months.
• Radiotherapy works by damaging cancer cells in a specific area, but it can also make nearby skin more fragile, inflamed, or prone to pigmentation changes.

Even after treatment ends, your skin can remain delicate and reactive. Pigment retention and healing can be unpredictable, and there’s an increased risk of poor colour results, infection, or scarring if treatment is carried out too soon.

Why We Recommend Waiting at Least 6 Months

We ask clients to wait a minimum of six months after completing chemotherapy or radiotherapy before having permanent makeup — sometimes longer if your medical team advises it.

This waiting period allows:✅ Your skin to regain its normal healing response✅ Your immune system to strengthen✅ Your body to restore balance after medication✅ Your skin tone and texture to stabilise

By allowing this time, we can achieve better, longer-lasting results and ensure the process feels comfortable and safe.

What You Can Do While You Wait

Even if you’re not quite ready for treatment, you can still start your journey:

• Book a consultation so we can assess your skin, answer your questions, and plan your treatment timeline.
• Care for your skin gently — avoid harsh exfoliants or active ingredients, and focus on hydration.

A Safe and Supportive Environment

Our clinic is designed to help you feel calm, cared for, and in control. We regularly work with women at every stage of their cancer journey — from those preparing for chemotherapy, to those exploring 3D areola tattooing after reconstruction.

Whether you’re ready now or still healing, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

If you’ve completed treatment and are thinking about permanent makeup, we’d love to chat.Book a consultation at our peaceful Cotswolds clinic, and let’s plan a timeline that’s right for you.

🩷 Luisa Krayem Permanent Makeup – compassionate care, expert results.