Aftercare
All you need to know about Microblading Aftercare
If you want the best results for your microblading procedure, make sure to follow the aftercare instructions of your esthetician!
In general, aftercare includes cleaning the brows daily, protecting them from dirt and contamination and all around being careful around the sensitive treatment area.
Learn all about microblading aftercare below:
What's inside (Click on the link to go to a specific step):
- How Long Does Microblading Aftercare Last?
- What Are the Basic Rules of Microblading Aftercare?
- Microblading Aftercare Day by Day
- What Types of Microblading Aftercare Are There?
- Microblading Aftercare for Oily Skin
- When Can I Wash My Eyebrows After Microblading?
- How Do I Maintain My Microblading Once It's Healed?
- Which Ointment Should I Choose for the Microblading Eyebrows Aftercare?
- What If I Mess Up My Microblading?
- What Do I Do When My Microblading Starts Fading?
- Microblading Aftercare – Main Takeaways
How Long Does Microblading Aftercare Last?
Aftercare must be done for up to two weeks.
It takes 4 to 6 weeks for the whole recovery period but aftercare doesn't need to be done for that long. It is most critical to follow aftercare instructions during the beginning stages of the healing process since the skin is sensitive and prone to scabbing.
Source: freepik
What Are the Basic Rules of Microblading Aftercare?
Aftercare instructions differ based on the microblading artist, but here are some common rules for aftercare:
- Carefully wash your face daily, taking extra care around the treated area. Pat down with a clean tissue to dry. Remember, do not rub your brows!
- Avoid using your usual skin care products. Only use the products prescribed by your microblading artist. Most products in the market contain exfoliants or acids that can affect the healing of your brows.
- Do not pick the scabs that appear! Let them fall off naturally or else you may end up taking off the pigment with the scabs.
- Avoid sleeping on your face at night. Make sure to use a clean pillow case, silk is recommended.
- For the first 10 days after the procedure, avoid wearing makeup. Artists also advise against using make-up in the other areas of the face since it may find its way to the treated area, especially when removing the make-up.
- While the area is still healing, avoid activities that can cause sweating such as strenuous exercise, visiting saunas, swimming and taking long showers.
- Because the area is sensitive, refrain from staying under the sun and getting tans.
- For the best results to your microblading procedure, follow these rules strictly. Which is why it is important to plan ahead and make sure to include enough time for your brows to heal before any special events.
Microblading Aftercare Day by Day
Day 1
A few hours after the procedure, clean the area by first patting it carefully with a clean cotton padand a drop of sterile water to take off the lymph. Do this up to three times.
The brows would look very dark at this point and the area is sensitive and swollen.
Days 2 to 4
With clean hands, wash your brows with sterile water on a cotton pad (or antibacterial soap from your artist) at least 2 to 4 times a day to ensure the lymph doesn't build up.
If your aesthetician advises it, apply the provided ointment on the treated area. Make sure not to use too much to avoid making your brows look greasy.
Days 5 to 10
This stage is when the scabs start to appear and it is important to let them fall off on their own. Touching or picking the scabs risks the success of the final look.
The point of this stage is to avoid infection so continue washing, drying and putting ointment (if recommended by your artist). You can contact your aesthetician for any concerns or heavy scabbing.
Days 10 to 14
After two weeks, you can go back to your normal skincare products. Washing your face and applying a little make up is now possible.
What Types of Microblading Aftercare Are There?
Microblading aftercare is divided into two types: dry and wet healing. The main difference is that dry healing involves using an ointment after washing the eyebrows.
The steps of wet healing are:
- Wash brows with sterile water
- Blot out the water using a clean cotton pad or cloth
- Apply a thin layer of ointment from your aesthetician
Microblading artists who prefer this healing method do so because the ointment acts to protect the brows from contamination. It can also be beneficial for the cells and it helps in skin regeneration.
On the other hand, dry healing can look like either one of these:
- The first version allows gently washing the brows and then using a clean cotton pad to pat dry the brows. No ointment is used afterwards.
- The other version entails no washing and no ointments on the brows. The clients have to stay away from water until the brows fully heal. This method is outdated and not often recommended nowadays since it can increase the risk for contamination and complications.
Which one does the client do? It depends on the recommendation of the artist based on what will work best for the client and their skin type.
Microblading Aftercare for Oily Skin
Having dry skin is beneficial in getting microblading treatments because they don't have to worry about oil pushing out the pigment. So clients with oily skin need special aftercare instructions.
Dry healing is the method most recommended for oily skin types since there is no need for extra moisture to be applied into the brows. It is also necessary to blot your brows many times a day to keep it dry.
When Can I Wash My Eyebrows After Microblading?
The microblading procedure creates precise incisions into the skin so it has to be kept clean. But keep the brows dry at least two hours after the procedure. Afterwards, gently clean the area with sterile water and dry with a clean cotton pad 2 to 3 times during the first day. This strips off the lymph that seep out of the cuts.
From the 2nd to 10th day, clean the area by washing it with antibacterial soap and some water. Avoid rubbing the brows and simply pat them dry. Add ointment if that is the healing method recommended by your aesthetician.
How Do I Maintain My Microblading Once It's Healed?
Maintaining the longevity of the microblading procedure is highly dependent on the client's lifestyle and habits. Doing activities that cause excessive sweating, or getting wet such as swimming and exposure under the sun will speed up the fading of the treatment.
The best way to prolong the procedure is by scheduling regular touch up appointments with your artist. Once the microblading treatment starts to fade, book a touch up immediately. As mentioned earlier, the length of time before a touch up depends on skin type and lifestyle.
Additionally, the brows will last longer with sunscreen lotion and avoiding products with retinol in the ingredients list since it will speed up fading.
Source: freepik
Which Ointment Should I Choose for the Microblading Eyebrows Aftercare?
Carefully follow the instructions and recommendations of your aesthetician. If you have been prescribed wet healing, make sure to apply only the specific ointment from your artist and follow the schedule they instructed.
This ointment is usually made up of panthenol and glycerin in a form of cream. Some aestheticians recommend products with coconut oil, virgin olive, avocado oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, bee wax and the like. Creams with honey and propolis are recommended for their antibacterial properties. It is important to inform your artist of any allergies prior to your procedure so they can better plan for your aftercare routine.
Take note that when applying the ointment, only apply a thin layer using a q tip for 3 times a day. Using too much ointment leads to clogged pores. So it is best to apply the cream just after a shower to make sure you're adding it to a clean surface.
What If I Mess Up My Microblading?
For your microblading procedure to be successful, make sure to take time and careful consideration when choosing your artist. Choose someone you know and trust. A good artist is able to make you feel comfortable in asking any questions or sharing concerns about the treatment. They should be available to you and your questions before, during and after the procedure.
If you follow the aftercare instructions of your artist, all you have to do is wait for the healing process to finish. So be patient and your brows will be worth the wait!
If you have any concerns with your brows, or if you accidentally rubbed it, take a photo and send it to your artist so they can assess the situation. Most issues can be fixed during the mandatory touch up session.
In case of an infection at the treated area, contact your artist or preferably your dermatologist for expert advice. Infections are not common but it is helpful to keep the area clean and to choose an artist who works with sterile instruments and environment.
What Do I Do When My Microblading Starts Fading?
If the pigment starts to fade too soon despite following the aftercare instructions, then there may be other factors involved.
It could be that your artist cut the skin too shallow and the pigment did not retain. If this is the case, ask for a refund from the artist, ask for another appointment or look for another aesthetician. The reason for the speed of fading may also be due to oily skin types, which means touch up appointments are needed more frequently.
Fading can also be a result of using the wrong pigment, so let your artist know about any skin and health conditions you may have. This can keep you safe and help in the considerations for planning the procedure. Some clients who are anemic do not receive iron-based pigment because the results will not look pleasant.
Source: freepik
Main Takeaways
Aftercare is simple and easy to follow, and it leads to wonderful results for your microblading procedure.
Follow the tips and expect great results for your brows!