Microblading Aftercare: What To Do and Expect
Working with thinning or sparse eyebrows often requires significant time in the morning. Expensive makeup products can only do so much. And, unless you’re a makeup artist, they don’t always look natural.
Several cosmetic procedures can enhance the natural shape and weight of your brows. Some are more permanent than others. Microblading is a permanent makeup solution to this common problem that produces long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing results.
But, as with even minimally invasive processes, how you treat your brows after your session matters. Today, we’re taking a close look at how to get the best results from your microblading treatment!
What to expect after a microblading treatment
Microblading artists use a couple of different approaches for this treatment. Some use a small bladed tool to make thin cuts in your skin to apply pigment. Others use a needle tool, like a tattoo machine, to make more finely pixelated lines. Either way, there’s some damage to the area during the process.
Just like getting a tattoo, proper aftercare makes all the difference in your final look.
As your brows heal, the pigment won’t look perfect
In the first few days after your treatment, before the skin has scabbed over, you won’t see the final results. Instead, the lines will appear much darker than the completed look. Don’t stress about it! This is a normal part of the healing process.
Scabbing is natural, and you may also experience some itching as the area recovers. Keep your skin dry for at least the first week, and don’t apply any makeup. Your artist will give you an aftercare serum to promote healing.
Scratching or rubbing your brows can ruin your permanent makeup application, so hands off!
You’ll want to keep your skin clean and moisturized with gentle soap and unscented lotion. Avoid anything with retinol or chemical exfoliants, as they can break down the skin and pigment and ruin your results.
Expect for the final results to come in after 30 days
You can return to your regular skincare routine once a couple of weeks have passed. But don’t expect to see your final look until after around a month. It takes this long because your skin has to fully heal before you’ll see what the pigment will look like.
You will be recommended to come in after 6 weeks for a touch-up
Looking at your finished brows, you may notice some areas that aren’t as consistent after healing. This could result from uneven healing or application of the pigment during your initial session. Your artist should provide you with a touch-up appointment to address these concerns.
Oily skin doesn’t take pigment in the same way as other skin types, and you may need touch-ups more regularly. Chat with your esthetician to see what they recommend.
A touch-up session is usually much shorter, and the healing process is shorter. Usually, after around five to seven days, you’ll be back in business!
Face First Beauty offers touch-ups at six to twelve weeks, twelve to twenty-four weeks, and an annual session to keep your brows looking perfect.
Activities to avoid after a microblading appointment
Immediately after your eyebrow microblading, your skin is in a delicate stage of healing. You’ve had pigment implanted under the skin, either by a blade or needle, and need time to recover. Some of your regular activities will make healing take longer and should be avoided in the week or two following your treatment.
Avoid anything that will cause you to sweat
Some of the most important activities to avoid are strenuous exercise that makes you sweat. This includes hot yoga, running, swimming, sauna, and HIIT classes. Take a break and let your skin heal to take full advantage of your new brows at the end of the process.
Don’t seek any other brow treatment while healing
While your skin is healing, don’t go in for any other brow treatments at your salon. Waxing, threading, and tinting can all damage your recovering skin and cause damage. There’s also a slight possibility of infection, and these treatments make that even worse.
Activities that expose you to the sun should be avoided, too
Pigments used in the microblading process can be easily broken down by UV rays from the sun. Wear a hat if you know you will be exposed to the sun before your brows are fully healed. Damaging your new brows isn’t worth a day in the sun!
Tanning is also off-limits, as it can shorten the life of your new look.
What should the timeline look like for microblading aftercare
Everyone’s body heals on a different timeline. So, your first few weeks might look slightly different than someone else’s. Estheticians also have different protocols if they’re using blades or needles. Make sure to follow your esthetician’s care instructions for the best results.
Wash your eyebrows twice a day for the first week
During the first week, your skin is in a delicate healing stage. Wash your new brows twice a day using antibacterial soap and water. Be gentle, and make sure to use any products that your artist recommends to promote healing.
The second week is when your eyebrows should be recovering
Once the first week is over, a normal side effect is scabbing and flaking. Don’t rub the area or pick at it. If you do, you could cause irregular healing as the pigment is sealed into your skin.
You can also return to your regular exercise routine at this stage.
After the second week, you can go back to your daily routine
After fourteen days, most people’s skin has healed enough to return to their daily skincare routine. Keep the area moisturized, and use sunscreen to keep your new look as fresh as possible!
With the proper aftercare, you can expect your microbladed brows to last anywhere from 18 to 30 months!
Face First Beauty is here to help guide you through your microblading aftercare!
If you’re considering microblading as a solution to thin or sparse eyebrows, Face First Beauty is here for you! We love the versatility and control we get with this process. Our clients love the natural look and feel of their final results. We also specialize in looks like shading and full, fluffy brows. Whatever your aesthetic, we’re happy to accommodate!
Check out our website and book your microblading consultation today!
