Why Oily Skin Affects PMU Results
Why Oily Skin Affects PMU Results
If you’ve been a PMU artist for any amount of time, you already know — every skin type behaves differently.
But ask almost any artist which one causes the most frustration, and you’ll hear the same answer again and again: oily skin.
You’ve done your mapping, your client is numb, and you’re feeling confident. Then the minute your needle touches the skin, your gloves start to slide. You’re wiping constantly. Your pigment won’t implant the same way it did on your last client.
And when that client returns for their follow-up appointment, the healed results are patchy, uneven, and faded.
It’s not that your technique changed, it’s that oil got in the way.
What’s Really Happening Under the Surface
The skin naturally produces oil (sebum) to protect itself, but for some clients, that production is overactive. When excess oil builds up on the surface and below the epidermis, it creates a barrier that pushes pigment out instead of allowing it to absorb evenly.
Think of it like trying to paint over a waxed surface, nothing sticks properly.
Oil can also prevent numbing agents from working effectively, because it blocks absorption. This means artists might feel they’re fighting against pain, swelling, or uneven numbness mid-procedure.
It’s not your skill, it’s chemistry.
The Artist Struggle: What We’ve Been Using Instead
Until now, the PMU industry has never had a professional solution for this problem.
Artists have improvised with what they have:
🩷 Alcohol wipes to degrease the surface — too harsh and drying.
🩷 Witch hazel to cleanse — too mild to break through oil.
🩷 Micellar water to remove makeup residue — leaves a film that still interferes with pigment.
These are temporary fixes at best and counterproductive at worst.
When you strip too much oil, you risk damaging the barrier — causing redness, irritation, or delayed healing.
When you don’t strip enough, you’re still sliding around and wiping constantly.
Until now, there was no middle ground, something powerful enough to cut through oil, but gentle enough for tattooed skin.
Introducing D’oil — The First Oil-Control Prep for PMU Artists
That’s why D’oil was created: the first-ever oil-control prep designed by artists, for artists.
This formula was developed specifically for the unique challenges of tattooed skin, not generic cosmetic use. It’s strong enough to remove both surface and subsurface oil, yet balanced enough to protect and soothe the skin barrier.
When used before mapping, numbing, or tattooing, D’oil:
🩷 Creates a balanced, oil-free surface that allows pigment to implant more effectively.
🩷 Improves anesthetic absorption and consistency.
🩷 Reduces glove slippage for smoother stretch and better control.
🩷 Leaves the skin calm and prepped, not stripped or irritated.
Why It Works: The Science Behind D’oil
What makes D’oil different is its dual-action approach: it targets oil on the surface and within the pores.
Ingredients like ethanol and witch hazel degrease efficiently, while humectants like panthenol and hyaluronic acid balance hydration. This means you’re not over-drying, you’re balancing.
When applied with a lint-free wipe, D’oil works in under a minute to remove the invisible layer that sabotages PMU procedures. The result is smooth, grip-ready skin that finally allows your skill and technique to shine.
Surface Oil vs. Subsurface Oil
Many artists don’t realize the difference between surface and subsurface oil, and that’s what makes most preps ineffective.
Surface oil is what you can see: that shiny layer that makes gloves slip.
Subsurface oil is what you can’t see, sebum produced within the pores that continues to rise to the surface during the procedure.
Most products only remove surface oil. D’oil penetrates deeper to dissolve subsurface buildup without irritating or over-stripping the skin. That’s what makes it so effective, it keeps the skin balanced and oil-free for the entire procedure.
Results You Can Feel (and See)
Artists who tested D’oil report:
🩷 Immediate improvement in pigment implantation.
🩷 Noticeably better control and stretch.
🩷 Cleaner, faster work — fewer wipes, fewer frustrations.
🩷 More predictable healed results.
This isn’t just a prep, it’s a professional upgrade to how we approach oily skin.
How to Use D’oil in Your Procedure
1️⃣ Cleanse the skin as usual.
2️⃣ Apply a small amount of D’oil to a lint-free wipe.
3️⃣ Gently wipe the area (brows, lips, or eyeliner), avoiding direct contact with the eyes.
4️⃣ Allow the skin to dry completely before mapping or numbing.
Optional: Reapply lightly before tattooing if oil production resurfaces during the procedure.
Why Every Artist Needs D’oil in Their Setup
Whether you specialize in brows, lips, or eyeliner, oil will eventually be one of your biggest obstacles.
D’oil gives you control, confidence, and cleaner healed results, without adding extra steps or irritation.
It’s one of those products you’ll wonder how you ever worked without.
Final Thoughts
Oily skin isn’t just a client skin type, it’s a barrier to beautiful healed results.
But now, artists have a way to prep the skin properly and predictably.
With D’oil, you can finally say goodbye to slipping gloves, poor pigment retention, and numbing frustration, and say hello to smooth, confident procedures.