Microblading Aftercare: Ensuring Perfect, Long-Lasting Brows

Microblading has revolutionized the beauty industry, offering a long-lasting solution for fuller, perfectly shaped eyebrows. This semi-permanent makeup technique involves the skillful application of fine, hairlike strokes that mimic the appearance of natural brow hair, reconstructing lost hair, improving fullness, and enhancing the overall appearance of the brow. However, achieving flawless, perfect brows isn't just about the procedure itself; proper aftercare is essential and constitutes one of the most important parts of the entire process. It directly affects the healing, pigment retention, and overall appearance of the brows. Proper aftercare ensures long-lasting results and minimizes the risk of infections and premature fading.

Why Microblading Aftercare is Essential

Microblading post-care and semi-permanent makeup post-care are very important to the appearance and longevity of your new eyebrows. The results of your microblading procedure depend not just on the skill of your artist but also on how well you care for your brows afterward.

The Initial 24 Hours: Setting the Stage for Healing

The first 24 hours post-procedure are crucial for setting the foundation for successful healing. Immediately after, the area will be extremely sensitive, and the eyebrows will appear darker and bolder than expected; this is temporary. The area may be red, swollen, and irritated immediately following the procedure, which is completely normal. A clear fluid, also known as lymph fluid, forms on the eyebrows in the first couple of hours after your appointment. Lymph fluid acts as a wound protector by cleaning the wound, combating infection, and overseeing the repair process.

Immediate Aftercare Steps:

• Gently blot your brows every 30 minutes with a clean tissue to absorb excess lymph fluid. Removing this fluid prevents hardening of the lymphatic fluids over the brows.
• Keep your brows dry! Avoid letting any water touch your eyebrows for a long period of time (a quick rinse 30 minutes after the procedure is okay).

Days 2-10: Navigating the Healing Process

The first several days following your appointment, the eyebrows will appear dark and bold as the skin begins to heal itself and form an outer layer of pigment. Eyebrows fade anywhere from 10% to 50% within 5 to 30 days of the first procedure, so don’t be frightened if your brows are dark the first several days.

Daily Cleansing:

During the first ten days of the healing process, it’s essential to keep your eyebrow area clean.

Read also: Perfect Brows: Aftercare Guide

• Wash daily to remove bacteria, buildup of product and oils, and dead skin.
• Gently wash your eyebrows each morning and night with water and an antibacterial soap. Use a natural fragrance-free gel cleanser (such as Cetaphil) and water. Hands must be freshly clean.
• With a very light touch, use your fingertips to gently cleanse the eyebrows. Rub the area in a smooth motion for 10 seconds and rinse with water ensuring that all soap is rinsed away.
• To dry, gently pat with a clean tissue.
• Apply a rice grain amount of aftercare ointment with a cotton swab and spread it across the treated area after cleansing and drying your brows. Be sure not to over-apply, as this will suffocate your skin and delay healing. The ointment should be barely noticeable on the skin.

What to Avoid:

• Do not let any lotion, soap, or makeup touch your eyebrow area during the first 7 days after your procedure.
• Avoid heavy sweating for a full 10 days and submerging your eyebrows in water.
• It is best to avoid any sun exposure, pool, sauna, steam rooms, steamy showers, hot baths, facial services, and brow hair removal the first two weeks after the appointment.
• Avoid applying skincare products and makeup around the area. Keep bangs and other hair pulled away from your face.

The Scabbing Phase:

Natural exfoliation will begin around day four, as excess pigment flakes away, starting at the outside edges. New skin will continue to heal over the treated area for the next ten days. Skin around the eyebrow area will become itchy during the peeling process.

• Do not rub, pick, or scratch the treated area. Let any scabbing or dry skin naturally exfoliate off. This will cause scarring and pigment loss, so allow any scabbing or dry skin to naturally exfoliate off.
• If the scabbing phase is not over by 14 days, please continue your Aftercare instructions until scabs are completely gone.

Days 11-40: Stabilization and Color Development

At this stage, your brows will begin to stabilize. The color may seem faded, but this is part of the natural healing process.

• Stay patient!
• Brows are safe from water around day 14.
• At this stage, around day 40, the color of brows is complete, and all redness is gone. Brows have fully healed.

What to Expect:

• DAY 4: The scab is starting to feel tight and itchy; start applying a light layer of ointment. Apply a rice grain amount of aftercare ointment (Aquaphor) on each eyebrow with a cotton swab and clean hands, spreading a VERY THIN layer of the ointment across the treated area every morning and night. Brows should not appear greasy, glossy, or shiny; if so, you used too much, as this can suffocate the skin and delay healing. Never apply ointment on wet or damp tattoos.
• DAY 7: The beginning stages of scabs peeling off; do not touch scabs!
• DAY 12: Scabs are done peeling; brows look light after the peeling process.
• DAY 14: Brows are safe from water.
• DAY 40: At this stage, the color of brows is complete, and all redness is gone. Brows have fully healed.

Long-Term Aftercare: Maintaining Your Investment

Consistently following proper long-term aftercare will contribute to lasting results of microbladed eyebrows.

• Keep the area moisturized following the healing process by applying a gentle and fragrance-free moisturizer. This will prevent any unnecessary dryness and premature fading of the eyebrows.
• Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher will also help the lifespan of your microbladed brows.
• Avoid any harsh skin treatments, such as laser treatments and chemical peels, as these can affect and ruin your brow appearance.
• Schedule touch-up sessions when needed to maintain your desired look. How soon you need to schedule touch-up appointments all depends on individual lifestyles and preferences.

Understanding the Healing Timeline in Detail

• RIGHT AFTER: Brows appear bold and have redness as well; the intensity of redness can vary for each individual. They may feel tender and appear uneven.
• DAY 4: The scab is starting to feel tight and itchy; start applying a light layer of ointment. Apply a rice grain amount of aftercare ointment (Aquaphor) on each eyebrow with a cotton swab and clean hands, spreading a VERY THIN layer of the ointment across the treated area every morning and night. Brows should not appear greasy, glossy, or shiny, if so you used too much, as this can suffocate the skin and delay healing. Never apply ointment on wet or damp tattoos.
• DAY 7: The beginning stages of scabs peeling off, do not touch scabs!
• DAY 12: Scabs are done peeling, brows look light after the peeling process.
• DAY 14: Brows are safe from water.
• DAY 40: At this stage, the color of brows are complete and all redness is gone. Brows have fully healed.

Pre-Care Instructions: Preparing for the Procedure

In order for your new brows to heal properly (and look their best), these Pre & Post Care Instructions found below are of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE! Pre-Care instructions are designed to limit bleeding and skin sensitivities during the service.

• Keep the brow area clean by using a natural fragrance-free gel cleanser (such as Cetaphil) and water.
• Hands must be freshly clean.
• Allow eyebrows to completely air dry before applying ointment.
• DO NOT rub, pick, or scratch the treated area. Let any scabbing or dry skin naturally exfoliate off.
• COMPLETELY avoid direct sun exposure and tanning beds for a minimum of 4 weeks after your procedure.
• Avoid sweating for a full 10 days.
• NO botox for 4 weeks.
• Please note: Eyebrows will appear darker and bolder due to natural healing for the first two weeks.

Specific Aftercare Instructions

• 30 minutes after the treatment, RINSE the eyebrows with neutral soap (children’s) or cold water. Remove all the lymph that may appear on the eyebrows. After that apply a very thin layer of PhiShield (after care cream). Repeat this procedure 3-5 times during the day.
• If the treatment was done late in the afternoon and you do not have time to do it 3 to 5 times, put a plastic foil over the eyebrows you previously applied the cream on, so that you protect the eyebrows from drying and wiping overnight.
• In the next 7 days, maintain facial hygiene and apply the cream after washing your face or having a shower.

Healing Methods: Dry vs. Moist

When it comes to microblading aftercare, there are two main schools of thought: dry healing and moist healing.

Read also: Essential Microblading Aftercare

Dry Healing

Dry healing involves letting your eyebrows heal without applying any ointments or moisturizers. The idea is to let the skin repair itself naturally without any interference.

Advantages of Dry Healing:

• Reduced Risk of Infection: By not applying any products, you minimize the risk of introducing bacteria to the healing area.
• Minimal Effort: Dry healing requires minimal effort - you simply leave your eyebrows alone to heal.
• Faster Scabbing: Some people find that their eyebrows scab and flake more quickly with dry healing, which can lead to a faster overall healing process.
• Suitable for Oily Skin: If you have naturally oily skin, dry healing can help prevent excess oil from interfering with the healing process.

Moist Healing

Moist healing involves applying a thin layer of recommended aftercare ointment to keep the eyebrows moisturized during healing.

Advantages of Moist Healing:

• Reduced Dryness and Itching: This method can significantly reduce dryness and itching, making the healing process more comfortable.
• Ideal for Dry Skin: If you have dry skin, moist healing can provide the extra hydration needed for optimal healing.
• Increased Comfort: Many people find moist healing to be more comfortable overall, with less tightness and itching.
• Prevention of Hard Scabs: Moisturized skin may be less likely to develop thick, hard scabs that are prone to premature falling.

Disadvantages of Moist Healing:

• Risk of Infection: If not done properly, moist healing could potentially introduce bacteria to the healing area, increasing the risk of infection.
• Increased Maintenance: It requires more maintenance, as you’ll need to apply aftercare ointment regularly and be careful about keeping the area clean.
• Risk of Over-Moisturizing: There’s also a risk of over-moisturizing, which can lead to clogged pores or delay the healing process.
• Potential Pigment Dilution: If too much moisture is trapped against the skin, it could potentially dilute the pigment.

Healing Based on Skin Type

• Dry Skin: Prevent excessive dryness and flaking. Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and apply a thin layer of recommended aftercare ointment. Avoid hot showers and consider using a humidifier.
• Oily Skin: Control excess oil production without over-drying. Use clean blotting papers and non-comedogenic skincare products. The dry healing method may be beneficial. If you choose to moisturize, use only the recommended aftercare products and apply sparingly.
• Combination Skin: Balance the needs of both dry and oily areas. Use a mild, pH-balanced cleanser and be strategic with moisturizing, applying aftercare ointment more liberally to drier areas and more sparingly to oilier zones.
• Sensitive Skin: Minimize irritation and protect the healing area. Test new products on a small area of skin first and use only aftercare products provided or recommended by your microblading artist.
• Mature Skin: Prioritize hydration and protect your eyebrows from direct sunlight. Talk to your doctor about supplements like vitamin C or collagen.
• Acne-Prone Skin: Focus on keeping the area clean without triggering breakouts. Gently cleanse the area twice daily with a non-comedogenic, fragrance-free cleanser.

Common Misconceptions and Avoiding Clichés

It's important to dispel some common misconceptions about microblading aftercare. One prevalent myth is that the thicker the scab, the better the healing. In reality, thick scabs can pull out pigment and lead to uneven results. Another misconception is that once the scabs fall off, the healing process is complete. In truth, the skin continues to regenerate for several weeks after the scabbing phase.

Read also: Learn about Microblading and Ombre Brows

tags: #microblading #aftercare #facials

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