May 18, 2025 Author - Marcie Mcmanus
Your Complete Guide to the Best After Care of Microblading, Powder Brows and Nano Brows
Eyebrow tattooing treatments can give you the eyebrows of your dreams, but proper aftercare is crucial for the best results.
In this guide, we’ll explain the essential steps for aftercare to help you maintain stunning, long-lasting brows.
Key Takeaways
Follow aftercare instructions carefully to ensure optimal healing and long-lasting results.
Avoid direct water exposure, excessive sweating, and sun exposure to prevent irritation and fading during the initial healing stage.
If needed, schedule a touch up appointment within 6 to 8 weeks to perfect your brows and address any healing concerns.
Supplies Needed for Aftercare
Ice Pack
Vaseline
Baby wipes or face wipes
Cotton Swabs
Post-Procedure Aftercare Instructions
Immediately following your eyebrow tattooing or microblading procedure, it’s normal to experience a sense of tenderness, redness, and slight swelling in the eyebrow area – these sensations are typical and should quickly disappear within a few hours.
To help alleviate these symptoms, applying an ice pack can be highly effective, ensuring you start your healing journey comfortably.
These guidelines are crafted from extensive professional expertise with the aim of facilitating a smooth healing process. Adhering closely to these after care instructions greatly influences how well your new brows will heal.
Days 1-7: Cleaning and Moisturizing
To facilitate proper healing in the initial week, follow a regular yet gentle routine of cleaning and moisturizing.
Cleaning
Wash brows 2x per day – morning and night with a baby wipe or facial wipe, do not submerge yours brows in water.
Do Not Get Brows Wet For 7 Days – You can still shower or wash your face, but must apply a very thick layer of vaseline before getting into the shower or washing your face. This thick layer will form a barrier and protect your new brows from the water. Wipe off the Vaseline with a baby wipe or facial wipe. Be firm but gentle when wiping Vaseline off brows.
Let brows air dry for 3-5 minutes after wiping off vaseline with a baby wipe or facial wipe and then apply your aftercare ointment. It is important not to trap any moisture from damp eyebrows under the the aftercare ointment.
After 7 days, you will not need to apply Vaseline before showering or washing your face.
Moisturizing
Apply aftercare ointment 3x per day with cotton swabs, not your fingers. Apply morning, noon and night for a minimum of 3 weeks or longer, if you like.
If you have very dry skin, do 2 extra applications in between. If you have very oily skin, no aftercare ointment is recommended.
Apply ointment in the thinnest amount possible. This very thin layer sustains moisture in the skin aiding in recovery. Do this by doing the following:
Scoop or squeeze 2 tiny amounts of aftercare ointment (rice grain amount) on the back of your very clean hand or directly onto a cotton swab.
Gently massage the ointment into the brow area.
Repeat for the other brow with a fresh cotton swab. In order to avoid contaminating your ointment, do not double dip used cotton swab into the aftercare container or package to do the second brow.
Applying the Aftercare Ointment
Apply ointment onto your new brows by doing a circular or back and forth motion. Massage from the head of your eyebrows to the tail of your brows, and then do it reverse from the tail to the head of the brow. Massaging in both directions will help the ointment get under all your natural brow hairs and reach your skin to aid in moisture and secondary cleansing.
Ointment should NOT be dripping from your brows. If this is the case, blot with paper towel or tissue paper as you have applied too much.
Applying too much ointment each time is not beneficial, and in doing so you are inhibiting the healing process:
Your new tattoo needs to breath in order to heal.
The faster you heal, the more colour you will retain.
Less is more so apply only the smallest and thinnest amount.
Be firm but gentle when massaging ointment into the brows. Being too gentle and tapping or dabbing the ointment into the brow does nothing. Applying too much pressure to the brow area may cause damage to the skin resulting in less colour retention.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls in the First Week
In the initial seven days following your powder brows, nano brows or microblading treatment, it is vital to adhere to certain after care instructions in order to enhance the healing process:
Minimize activities that lead to sweating. If engaging in physical activities, consider using a headband across your forehead to prevent sweat from affecting your newly tattooed eyebrows.
Refrain from saunas, hot tubs, and long steamy showers or baths which might negatively impact the treated area.
Avoid heavy household cleaning activities that could elevate the risk for irritation or potential infection due to exposure to dust.
Protect your brows from direct sun exposure as well as avoiding tanning beds since UV radiation can significantly diminish the vibrancy of your eyebrows’ pigment.
Do not to apply any make up, home moisturizers, lotions, or sunscreen directly on your newly tattooed eyebrows.
Steer clear of environments like riding in open-air vehicles, where exposure to airborne debris could irritate your newly treated skin.
Around the fifth day following the procedure, you may notice scabbing and flaking in the eyebrow area, which is a normal part of the healing process. It’s important to resist the urge to scratch or disturb these scabs to ensure even pigment retention.
Patience is essential during this period. By following the aftercare instructions, you can ensure that your eyebrows heal successfully, resulting in beautifully restored and attractive brows.
Days 8-14: Continued Care
As you progress through the second week of your healing journey, maintaining diligent care remains imperative.
It’s vital to shield your brows from direct sunlight and refrain from tanning sessions to thwart irritation and inhibit the premature fading of pigmentation.
During this period, it’s paramount that chemical treatments such as glycolic acid are not applied on or around the brow area. These agents can disrupt the natural healing process and potentially alter the ultimate appearance of your brows.
Long-Term Aftercare Tips
Maintaining the enhanced look of your brows after they’ve fully healed requires some long-term aftercare.
It’s important to avoid lasers and products such as retin a, glycolic acid, or chemical peels directly on your brow area, which can accelerate fading of the pigment.
When stepping out into direct sunlight, it is wise to use sunscreen with an SPF between 30 and 50 on your brows to guard against color loss and preserve their appearance.
To maintain the flawless appearance of your microbladed brows over time, it is crucial to adhere to these long-term care tips.
Understanding the Healing Process
The healing process for eyebrow tattooing usually lasts between 25 to 30 days, during which time the color of the brows may darken and then lighten as the healing progresses. By the end of the healing period, your brows should look soft and natural without any pain or discomfort.
During this time, itching and flaking may occur, but it’s important not to pick at any scabs. Doing so can damage the skin and affect the final results.
Proper care during the healing process is crucial to achieving the best results with your permanent makeup treatments. With patience and diligence, your brows will heal beautifully and look their best.
When to Schedule your Follow Up Appointment
If needed, schedule your touch up appointment 6 to 8 weeks after your initial procedure.
During this follow up session, you have the opportunity to discuss any changes you wish to make to the color or shape of your brows after becoming accustomed to their new look. This session is perfect for addressing any touch-ups needed for hair strokes that may not have healed as expected.
It’s the ideal time for fine-tuning your brows so they match precisely with what you envisioned.
What should I do if I Experience Complications During Healing?
If you suspect an infection, it’s crucial to be cautious with treatment, as overuse of a topical antibiotic may affect the color of your new brows. Only use such antibiotics if you are almost certain of an infection.
Typical signs of infection include persistent tenderness, swelling, discharge, and redness extending around the outside of the tattooed area.
If any of these symptoms develop, promptly reach out to your technician or healthcare professional for guidance.
Summary
Patience and proper aftercare are essential to achieving stunning, long-lasting brows. By following the aftercare instructions, you’ll ensure your brows heal beautifully and maintain their vibrant pigment.
With over 10 years of experience in the permanent makeup industry, I specialize in creating natural, flawless brows that enhance your unique beauty. Ready to transform your look? Contact me, Marcie McManus, at 289-839-0258 to book your appointment today or visit www.colourclinic.com to get more information on other permanent makeup services.
Written by Marcie McManus, Founder of Colour Clinic
Cosmetic & Medical Tattoo Specialist
627 Lyons Ln, Unit 201, Oakville, ON
Email: ita2you@gmail.com | Tel: 289-839-0258 | www.ColourClinic.com
Ready for new brows? Click here to book your appointment today!