Suggested Aftercare for Permanent Makeup
Discover how to care for your permanent makeup with our detailed aftercare instructions. Ensure long-lasting results and healthy skin with expert guidance from The Maine Stroke. Trust us for professional care tips tailored to your needs.
Congratulations on your new eyebrow permanent makeup! Proper aftercare is crucial to ensure optimal healing and long-lasting results. Follow these detailed instructions to care for your new brows.
Immediate Aftercare (Days 1-7)
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Keep the area clean and dry: Gently cleanse your brows with a mild, fragrance-free soap and water twice daily. Pat dry with a clean tissue or towel.
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Apply recommended ointment: Use the provided ointment or a thin layer of petroleum jelly to keep the area moisturized and to promote healing. Apply sparingly 2-3 times a day or as instructed by your technician.
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The ointment should be barely noticeable on the skin. Less is more. Never put the ointment on a wet or damp tattoo.
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Avoid sun exposure: Protect your brows from direct sunlight to prevent fading and irritation. Wear a hat or use sunscreen if necessary, but avoid applying sunscreen directly on the treated area during the initial healing phase.
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Refrain from makeup and skincare products: Do not use makeup, lotions, or other skincare products on or near your brows for at least one week to avoid irritation and infection.
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Do not pick or scratch: Let the scabs and flaking skin naturally slough off to prevent scarring or uneven healing. Avoid touching your brows unnecessarily.
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Avoid water and steam: Steer clear of swimming, hot tubs, saunas, and long, hot showers. Excessive moisture can impede the healing process and affect the pigment.
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Minimize sweating: Avoid activities that cause excessive sweating, such as vigorous exercise, as sweat can interfere with the healing process.
Long-Term Aftercare (Days 8-42)
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Moisturize regularly: Continue to keep your brows moisturized with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to maintain the pigment and prevent dryness.
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Use sunscreen: Once fully healed, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect your brows from UV damage and fading.
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Avoid harsh chemicals: Refrain from using products with strong chemicals, exfoliants, or glycolic acids on or near your brows, as they can cause irritation and pigment fading.
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Attend follow-up appointments: Schedule and attend any recommended touch-up appointments to ensure your brows heal perfectly and maintain their shape and color.
Additional Tips
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Sleep on your back: Try to sleep on your back to avoid rubbing your brows against your pillow, which can disturb the healing process.
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Be patient: Healing times vary for each individual. It can take 4-6 weeks for your brows to fully heal and for the true color to emerge. During this time, your brows will soften and lighten. Don’t worry if they appear too dark or too light initially; this is normal.
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Why do my brows look darker and bolder right after the treatment? It’s normal for the treated area to appear darker and more defined immediately after the procedure. This will gradually lighten and soften over the first week as the initial healing process takes place.
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What if my brows feel like they’ve lost too much color? Your skin is still regenerating and exfoliating during the first few weeks. The true color of your brows will continue to develop over 4-6 weeks, so be patient. They may appear lighter initially but will regain vibrancy as healing progresses.
Immediately Following The Procedure
As the initial healing process occurs, the treated area will appear darker, bolder, and more color-defined, lasting for about a week as the initial healing process unfolds. You might experience a sensation similar to a mild sunburn, but discomfort should be minimal, with little redness or swelling. Expect minimal scabbing or flaking of the skin.
The complete healing process takes approximately 4-6 weeks. During this period, the true color of your permanent makeup will gradually become apparent as it softens and lightens. It’s common to feel like you’ve lost too much color, but patience is key. Your skin is still regenerating and exfoliating. Allow at least 6 weeks to see the true color, which will continue to develop and gain vibrancy over time.
What to Do
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Keep it clean: Gently cleanse the treated area daily with mild soap and water, pat dry with a clean towel or tissue.
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Apply recommended ointment: Use the provided ointment or a gentle moisturizer to keep the area hydrated and promote healing. Follow your technician's instructions for application frequency.
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The ointment should be barely noticeable on the skin. Less is more. Never put the ointment on a wet or damp tattoo.
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Follow-up appointments: Attend any scheduled touch-up appointments as recommended by your technician to ensure the best results.
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Be patient: Healing takes time. Allow 4-6 weeks for the true color to emerge and the skin to fully regenerate.
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Monitor for complications: Watch for signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, or pain. Contact your technician if you experience any unusual symptoms.
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Follow aftercare instructions: Follow all specific aftercare instructions provided by your technician for your individual treatment.
Once Healed: After 4-6 Weeks
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Reassessment and Touch-ups: Most clients require multiple sessions to achieve their desired results. We assess how your skin has accepted the color and make any necessary adjustments. Older clients or those with previous tattoos may need additional appointments.
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Color Retention Tips: Your permanent makeup can last from one to three years, depending on various factors. To maintain its vibrancy, consider scheduling touch-ups every 12-18 months. Protect your investment by avoiding prolonged sun exposure and using sunscreen once fully healed.
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Natural Healing Process: After the initial healing period, your tattooed area may appear lighter or even disappear under a layer of healing skin. Don’t worry—this is normal! Over the next 1-2 weeks, the pigment will gradually reappear as your skin rejuvenates.
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Factors Affecting Longevity: Factors such as skin type, lifestyle, color choice, and skincare routines can influence how long your permanent makeup stays vibrant. Our special formulas ensure your color remains true and beautiful.
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Laser Procedures Caution: If considering laser resurfacing or hair removal post-healing, inform the technician about your permanent makeup. Laser treatments can alter tattoo coloration, so proceed with caution and at your discretion.
What is Normal?
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Initial Darkness and Boldness: The treated area will appear darker and more vibrant immediately after the procedure. This is normal and will lighten as the healing process progresses.
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Mild Discomfort: The treated area may feel tender, similar to a mild sunburn. Minimal discomfort is normal and should subside within a few days.
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Slight Redness and Swelling: Redness and swelling around the treated area are common and typically resolve within a few days.
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Scabbing and Flaking: Expect minimal scabbing or flaking as the area heals. Do not pick or scratch at the scabs to avoid disturbing the healing process.
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Itching: Mild itching can occur as the area heals. This is a normal part of the healing process.
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Color Changes: The color of the pigment may appear uneven or patchy during healing. It will soften and lighten over 4-6 weeks.
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Excessive Moisture: The treated area may release lymphatic fluid, causing it to appear moist or weepy. This is normal and should be gently blotted away.
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Slightly Uneven Appearance: The treated area may look uneven as it heals. This will even out over time as the skin regenerates.
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Exfoliation: The skin will naturally exfoliate, causing some pigment to appear to flake off. This is a normal part of the healing process.
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Gradual Lightening: The treated area will gradually lighten over the healing period. The true color will emerge after 4-6 weeks.
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Patience Required: Full healing and color settling take time. Be patient as your skin continues to regenerate and the pigment settles.
What to Avoid
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Avoid touching: Refrain from rubbing, scratching, or picking at the treated area to prevent irritation and infection.
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Protect from moisture: Avoid swimming, hot tubs, saunas, and excessive sweating to allow the pigment to settle and prevent premature fading.
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Avoid sun exposure: Protect the treated area from direct sunlight by wearing a hat or applying sunscreen once fully healed.
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Makeup and skincare products: Avoid applying makeup, especially around the treated area, until it's fully healed. Avoid using skincare products with strong chemicals, exfoliants, or acids on or near the treated area.
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Excessive sweating: Minimize activities that cause excessive sweating, as sweat can disrupt pigment retention and lead to uneven healing.
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Medications: Consult with your technician or healthcare provider before taking any medications that may thin the blood or affect healing, such as aspirin or blood thinners.
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Tight clothing: Avoid wearing tight clothing that may rub against the treated area and cause irritation or pigment loss.
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Smoking and alcohol: Minimize smoking and alcohol consumption, as they can slow down the healing process and affect pigment retention.