Permanent makeup causes mild to moderate discomfort for most people, but the pain level varies significantly depending on which area of your face is being treated. On a 1-to-10 scale, eyebrow procedures average a 3 to 4, eyeliner sits around a 2, and lip blushing jumps to about an 8. Numbing creams are applied before every procedure, which is the main reason most clients describe the experience as tolerable rather than painful.
Pain Levels by Procedure
The three most common permanent makeup procedures feel quite different from one another, and the variation comes down to how many nerve endings sit in each area and how thick or thin the skin is.
Eyebrow treatments (powder brows, combo brows, nano brows) land in the mild range. Most clients rate the discomfort around 3 to 4 out of 10. The sensation is often described as light scratching or vibrating pressure. The skin on the brow bone is relatively thick, which works in your favor.
Eyeliner is the procedure that intimidates people the most, but it consistently ranks as the least painful, around a 2 out of 10. The eyelid skin is thin, but the numbing cream absorbs quickly and the treated area is small, so the procedure is fast. Most people describe a mild tickling or buzzing sensation.
Lip blushing is a different story. Clients regularly rate it around an 8 out of 10, making it the most uncomfortable permanent makeup procedure by a wide margin. Lips have a dense concentration of nerve endings, the skin is thinner and more reactive than nearly anywhere else on the face, and swelling during the session increases sensitivity as the appointment progresses. If you’re considering lip work specifically, expect a noticeably more intense experience than brows or eyeliner.
How Numbing Creams Work
Every reputable permanent makeup artist applies a topical numbing cream before starting. These creams typically contain lidocaine at 4% to 5%, sometimes combined with other anesthetics like tetracaine or prilocaine to improve effectiveness. The cream is spread in a thin, even layer over the treatment area and left on for 20 to 40 minutes before the procedure begins. Some artists cover the area with plastic wrap during this time to help the skin absorb the anesthetic more effectively.
Once the procedure is underway, many artists apply a secondary numbing gel to the open skin, which absorbs faster and deeper than the initial cream. This secondary application often contains epinephrine, which constricts blood vessels to reduce bleeding and keep the numbing agent concentrated in the tissue longer. The combination of pre-numbing and mid-procedure numbing is what keeps most clients comfortable throughout.
There is a safety consideration worth knowing about. The FDA recommends consumers avoid over-the-counter topical pain products containing more than 4% lidocaine. Some numbing products sold online, particularly unregulated imports, contain far higher concentrations or include epinephrine in amounts that can cause problems. In one documented case, a woman applied four tubes of a high-concentration numbing gel containing lidocaine and epinephrine before a tattoo session and developed a dangerously elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, and low potassium levels. This kind of reaction is rare, but it’s why you should let your artist handle the numbing rather than applying your own products beforehand.
Manual Tools vs. Machines
The tool your artist uses also affects how the procedure feels. Traditional microblading uses a manual hand tool with a row of fine needles that the artist drags across the skin to create hair-like strokes. This cutting motion can cause more tissue trauma in the thin skin of the eyebrows. Machine-based techniques tap pigment into the skin with a motorized needle, which many artists argue is gentler because it doesn’t slice through the surface in the same way.
That said, the difference isn’t always clear-cut. A machine can also create hair strokes by moving in a cutting motion, producing similar trauma to a manual tool. And machines deliver a rapid punching motion that can sometimes bruise delicate brow skin even without much pressure. The skill and technique of your individual artist matters more than whether they use a hand tool or a machine.
What You Feel During Healing
The discomfort doesn’t end entirely when you leave the appointment, but it shifts from active pain to mild irritation over the first few days. On day one, expect the treated area to look darker and bolder than your final result. For brows, you’ll notice mild redness and possibly slight swelling. Lips feel tight and tender, with swelling that typically resolves within a few hours. Eyeliner can leave your eyes feeling sensitive, similar to seasonal allergies or mild irritation.
By days two and three, the initial tenderness fades and transitions into flaking and itching as the skin begins to heal. This itching phase is the part most clients find annoying rather than painful. Minor redness, light peeling, and occasional tightness are all normal during the first week. The full healing process takes several weeks, but the physical discomfort is largely limited to the first 48 to 72 hours.
How to Reduce Pain Before Your Appointment
What you do in the days leading up to your appointment can meaningfully affect how much discomfort you feel. Blood-thinning medications and supplements, including aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and fish oil, should be avoided for at least a week before your session. These increase bleeding during the procedure, which dilutes the numbing cream and can interfere with pigment retention. Skip alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours before your appointment as well, since both thin your blood and heighten sensitivity.
Scheduling also matters. Hormonal fluctuations during your menstrual cycle can increase pain sensitivity, so some clients find that booking during the first week after their period ends results in a more comfortable experience. Getting a full night of sleep beforehand helps too. Being well-rested lowers your body’s overall stress response and makes it easier to stay relaxed in the chair, which directly affects how you perceive discomfort during the session.