Cold Packs and Swelling After Permanent Makeup

Some clients like to use cold packs after their permanent makeup procedure to soothe the skin. While cold packs don’t significantly reduce swelling, they can feel comforting — and that’s okay! Cooling the skin gently can help, but freezing it can cause harm.

Always use cool—not frozen—compresses. Packs stored in the refrigerator are much safer for healing skin than those from the freezer, because the treated area is already delicate and vulnerable to frost damage. You can use:

• gel compresses chilled in the refrigerator (not freezer)
• Frozen peas wrapped in a wet washcloth if you prefer something flexible

Apply for short periods, just enough to lightly cool the area.

⚠️ Why Too Much Cold Is Harmful

Overusing ice packs or applying very cold items directly to your skin can:

• Damage fragile cells and worsen swelling once the skin warms back up
• Restrict blood flow and reduce oxygen needed for healing
• Increase the risk of infection due to reduced tissue oxygenation

Extreme cold causes your blood vessels to constrict, then over-dilate as they warm up again — leading to more swelling (a process called reactive hyperemia). The skin needs steady oxygen-rich blood flow to heal properly.dustry leaders in our exclusive interview series.

🚫 Avoid Cold Packs If You Have:

• Poor circulation
• Raynaud’s disease
• Cold allergies or cold urticaria
• Vascular or blood disorders that react to low temperatures

In short, gentle cooling is fine, but freezing is not. Your body heals best when you keep things clean, cool, and calm — and give your skin the time it needs to recover naturally.

Clients who allow their skin to heal naturally usually see the best results. Over-managing swelling or repeatedly applying ice can actually slow recovery.