Lymph fluid is a clear, watery fluid made in the body and contains white blood cells or “lymphocytes” which help fight infections. It is derived from interstitial fluid that helps remove waste and toxins from the tissue. It is able to pick up bacteria and transport it back to the lymph nodes where it can be destroyed. Once filtered through the lymph nodes, it drains back into the blood stream.
When we perform permanent makeup procedures, we are creating a controlled injury and placing a foreign body (pigment) into the skin, so the body will often respond by trying to flush the wound, causing lymph fluid to appear. Someone with a strong inflammatory response will often display more lymph fluid or “oozing”.
Lymph fluid secretion is normal following any injury. This is why we recommend blotting your new permanent makeup every 1-2 hours for the first 24 hours following a treatment. If lymph fluid is allowed to build up, dry, and attach itself to the treated tissue, it will form thick scabs which will result in an unpleasant healing process and poor pigment retention.
If your eyebrow tattoo, lip blush tattoo or eyeliner tattoo is looking “sweaty” following a permanent makeup procedure or if it looks as if beads of condensation are collecting on the treated area, then you need to blot with a clean, dry cotton round to soak up the excess lymph fluid.
I personally instruct my clients to do a moisturized healing process so after they blot the excess lymph fluid away, they are to re-apply a thin layer of medicated ointment (rice size amount) with a clean cotton swab to the treated area. This keeps the open area clean and acts as a barrier to ensure that the lymph fluid can’t adhere to the skin.
At the end of the day, lymph fluid is simply your bodies way of trying to keep you safe and heal your wounds. When it comes to permanent makeup, we just want to keep excess lymph fluid from building up and creating thick, hardened scabs to make sure that you have the best healed result.