Permanent Makeup Aftercare Instructions
Aftercare Instructions - Days 1 Through 7
These steps apply to all permanent makeup services for the first seven days post-procedure.
Keep the Area Dry and Clean
Do not allow the treated area to come into contact with water, soap, skincare products, or makeup for the first seven days. This includes washing your face, cleansing around the area carefully, and patting dry.
Touch Only With Clean Hands
The only time you should touch the treated area is to apply your post-care ointment. Always wash your hands thoroughly before doing so. Apply ointment gently using a clean fingertip; do not rub.
Apply Post-Care Ointment
Apply a thin layer of the provided post-care ointment to the treated area each night for the first seven days. A thin application is enough; too much product can suffocate the skin and interfere with healing.
Do Not Apply Makeup to the Treated Area
Avoid applying any cosmetic products, including foundation, concealer, brow products, or lip color, directly over the treated area until fully healed.
Your Complete Aftercare Guide
Proper aftercare starts the day of your procedure and continues long term. Here is everything you need to know in one place.
Days 1-14 – What to Avoid and Why
Avoid | Why It Matters |
Swimming – pools, ocean, hot tubs | Chlorine and saltwater break down pigment and introduce bacteria to healing skin |
Intense exercise and heavy sweating | Sweat opens pores and draws pigment to the surface before it fully settles |
Saunas and steam rooms | Heat and steam cause the skin to expand, pushing pigment out |
Sun exposure and tanning | UV radiation fades pigment and causes uneven color during the healing phase |
Picking, peeling, or scratching | Removes pigment prematurely and creates patchy, uneven results |
Laser or chemical treatments | Accelerates pigment breakdown and can cause adverse skin reactions |
Retinol, AHAs, or exfoliants near the area | Increases cell turnover, pulling pigment out faster than normal |
Excess alcohol consumption | Thins the blood and affects how the skin retains pigment |
Driving in open-air vehicles | Exposes healing skin to dust, wind, and debris |
Long-Term - Habits That Protect Your Results
Do This | Why It Matters |
Apply mineral SPF 30+ to the treated area every morning | UV exposure is the single leading cause of permanent makeup fading; daily SPF is the most effective long-term protection you can use |
Apply retinol and AHAs around, not over, permanent makeup | These ingredients increase cell turnover and accelerate pigment fading with repeated use over the treated area |
Moisturize the treated area regularly with a non-comedogenic moisturizer | Well-hydrated skin retains pigment longer. Start once the area is fully healed |
Schedule annual or bi-annual touch-up appointments | Pigment softens naturally over time; regular touch-ups maintain your color, shape, and definition |
What to Expect During the Healing Process
Permanent makeup heals in stages. Understanding what is normal at each stage helps you protect your results and avoid unnecessary concern.
Days 1-3
The treated area will appear bolder, darker, and more defined than the final healed result. Some tenderness, slight swelling, or redness is expected. This is not your permanent result; color softens significantly as healing progresses.
Days 4-7
Light flaking and peeling begin as the skin naturally sheds the outermost layer. Do not pick, peel, or scratch the area. Removing flaking skin prematurely pulls pigment out with it and can cause patchy, uneven healing.
Days 7-14
Flaking subsides, and color continues to soften and settle. The treated area may appear lighter or less defined than expected during this phase; this is part of the normal healing cycle.
Days 14–28
The skin fully closes, and the true healed result becomes visible. Pigment settles into its final color and depth. This is the result your perfecting touch-up will be based on.
Week 4-8 – Perfecting Touch-Up
Your touch-up appointment is scheduled 4-8 weeks after your initial session. This is where the artist refines the shape, fills any areas where pigment did not fully retain, and locks in your final result. Do not skip or delay your touch-up; it is a standard and essential part of the process.
Service-Specific Aftercare Notes
Microblading, Ombré Shading & Nano Strokes
Avoid brow products, tints, and lamination treatments until fully healed. After healing, apply SPF to the brow area daily. For clients who swim or exercise regularly, apply a thin barrier of healing balm over the brows before water exposure.
Lip Blush & Lip Neutralization
Keep lips moisturized throughout the healing process using the provided ointment. Avoid spicy foods, hot beverages, and lip products for the first 7-10 days. Expect significant color darkening immediately after the procedure; the final result is 30-50% softer than what you see on day one.
Permanent Eyeliner & Lash Liner
Remove contact lenses before your appointment and avoid wearing them for 24 hours post-procedure. Do not use eye drops, lash serums, or eye makeup until fully healed. Avoid rubbing the eye area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent Makeup Aftercare
How long does permanent makeup take to heal?
The initial healing phase takes approximately 14 days. During this time, the color will darken, flake, and then soften significantly. The full healed result is visible at around 4 weeks, which is when your perfecting touch-up is assessed and scheduled.
Can I wash my face after microblading?
Yes, but avoid getting the treated area wet for the first 7 days. Cleanse around the brows carefully and pat dry. Do not apply cleanser, toner, or any skincare products directly over the microbladed area until fully healed.
What happens if I pick the flaking skin?
Picking or peeling flaking skin removes pigment along with it, resulting in patchy, uneven healing. It can also introduce bacteria to the healing skin. Allow flaking to shed naturally; it will resolve on its own within days.
Can I exercise after microblading?
Avoid intense exercise and activities that cause heavy sweating for the first 14 days. Sweat opens pores and draws pigment toward the surface during the healing phase, which can cause pigment loss and uneven color retention.
Can I go swimming after lip blush or microblading?
Swimming should be avoided entirely for the first 14 days post-procedure. Chlorine, saltwater, and hot tub water all introduce chemicals and bacteria to the healing area and accelerate pigment breakdown.
How do I make my microblading last longer?
Apply mineral SPF 30 or higher to the brow area daily, avoid retinol and exfoliating acids directly over the brows, keep skin moisturized, and schedule annual touch-up appointments. Clients who follow these habits consistently see results lasting closer to the 2-3-year end of the range.
What should I put on my brows after microblading?
Apply the post-care ointment provided by your artist once per day for the first 7 days using clean hands. A thin layer is sufficient. Do not use any other products over the area until fully healed.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
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