General Microblading Aftercare
What to Expect During the Healing Process:
1. Within minutes after your procedure they will begin to oxidize and appear darker.
This is because your body has already begun the healing process! In order for your skin to heal your body must create a scab to protect the newly traumatized skin, and in order to form a scab your blood and platelets need to dry and harden. When everything dries it oxidizes and becomes darker. This will flake off once your body is done “actively healing”, which takes about 7-10 days on average depending on your overall health and your body’s ability to heal itself.
2. A few hours later or the next day they may appear more red and/or ‘filled in”.
This is because the effects of the topical anesthetics (that contain epinephrine) will have worn off so any excess redness may be present. The redness is usually inside of the eyebrow, filling the gaps between the hairstrokes I created which can make it look more solid or filled in. Some people don’t experience this, either way this is normal! :)
3. They will begin to flake around day 3 or 4. And this is always when everyone begins to panic, but don’t worry!
This stage of healing can look a little strange however is unavoidable since it is part of the healing process. The areas that flake first will appear lighter for two reasons: one is that it will be directly next to an oxidized scab and the contrast between the two areas will make it appear very light and secondly, your skin is not finished healing yet and will appear “shiny” or “foggy” until your skin completely regenerates itself. The regenerative process takes about 4-6 weeks after the day of your procedure, so around week 6 your healed results will be present! :)
And remember, microblading is not a one step process. Although some may see great results after just one procedure, most people need at least two procedures to reach desired results. (Those with certain skin types may need more than two!) Having a few areas that the pigment didn’t seem to hold on as well or maybe in general we need to go a little bit darker with the pigment – that’s what your first touchup is for! Your first procedure is almost like a science experiment for me to see exactly how your skin reacts to everything so that during the touchup if I need to tweak anything about the pigment or my technique I’ll know exactly what I need to do! :)
How to Take Care of Your New Eyebrows:
IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE
Gently blot away excess moisture as you see it, for 10-20 minutes. (I’ll give you a clean/dry paper towel to use before you leave.)
TONIGHT
Before going to bed this evening, apply a thin layer of the silver gel (in the small clear jar that I’ve given you) using your CLEAN finger tip. This is all you will need to do tonight.
EVERY MORNING AND NIGHT FOR THE NEXT 7-10 DAYS (OR HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES THE SCABS TO COME OFF ON THEIR OWN) ***
CLEAN - Gently wet your brows with room temperature/warmish water cupped in your hands. Apply a pump of the AfterSoap (the bottle of foaming soap I’ve given you) onto your fingertips and very gently wash your brows using only your fingers. Splash off any excess soap and very gently pat dry with a clean dry paper towel ONLY.
*Do not wash your brows in the shower, only every do this at your sink.
PROTECT – Using your clean fingertip, apply a very thin layer of the silver gel in an upward and outward motion, pretend as if you’re styling your brow hairs with it! Applying too much of the gel, or applying the gel too often can cause a build up on your brows that can make the healing process not go as smoothly.
Do not use a q-tip to apply the gel, only your clean finger.
MOISTURIZE – Each day, you may use the grape seed oil (the small amber colored vial I’ve given you) throughout the day for moisture. Gently pat a very small amount of the oil onto your brows using your clean fingertips.
Maximum 4 times a day.
*You may also wash and apply the gel a third time half way through the day, if you feel like you need it – not everyone does. You know your body and how it heals – so if a third time is needed that’s perfectly fine!
*You can stop using the silver gel once all of the scabs have come off. If you’d like to continue using the soap to cleanse and grape seed oil for moisture – you can totally do that!
Keep your new eyebrows dry in between cleanings. (7-10ish days).
What I mean by this is when you splash them with water, or if they accidentally get wet in the shower – don’t let them sit and stay wet! Microbladed eyebrows heal the best when you allow your body to heal itself with minimal irritation. If you accidentally get your eyebrows wet be sure to immediately blot with a clean dry paper towel, and you can even blow them dry with a hair dryer on the cool setting! If you let the scabs become soft – it may result in poorly healed brows.
You will experience flakiness/dry skin,
Do not pick or ‘assist’ off anything that isn’t coming off with your daily aftercare cleaning routine. You may have scabs that are lifted from your skin but stuck in your actual eyebrow hairs. If you know the scabs are definitely not stuck to your skin, you may gently assist them out using a q-tip or however you choose to being certain to not force any areas that aren’t ready to come off on their own. “Picking” of any kind will result in patchy areas of pigment fallout.
It is Very Important That You Avoid the Following:
- DO NOT pick at your healing eyebrows. This is crucial. Picking almost always results in pigment fallout and can cause scarring. Please allow your body to naturally exfoliate and regenerate on it’s own.
- DO NOT allow ANY skincare products to touch your new eyebrows. This includes but is not limited to soap, cleanser, moisturizer, serums, makeup etc. Doing so may cause excess sensitivity, changes in pigment color or could even cause the pigment may reject from your skin!
- DO NOT apply ANY makeup products over your new eyebrows. Applying makeup over your freshly tattooed eyebrows at any point before the scabs have completely flaked off may result in infection, pigment loss or even permanent discoloration! Once there are absolutely zero scabs left you may apply product on your eyebrows if needed.
- DO NOT thread, wax, tint, bleach etc. near or over the tattooed area for AT LEAST 6 weeks after your procedure. If you have stray hairs outside of the tattooed area you may tweeze them, however make sure to disinfect your tweezers very well before doing so to avoid infection.
- AVOID excessive sweating for as long as you’re “actively” healing, ideally until all of the scabs have come off on their own (7-10 days).
- DO NOT submerge your brows under water. Absolutely no lakes, ocean, pools/hot tubs, baths, etc.
- 100% ABSOLUTELY DO NOT use tanning beds, sunless tanning products or excessively expose yourself to the sun for at least 6 weeks following your procedure. You need to avoid the aforementioned completely while your skin is actively healing (while scabs are present). Once the scabs have come off be sure to use sunscreen, wear large hats, large sun glasses etc. any time you will be in the sun for more than a few minutes, since UV rays will cause the pigment to fade rapidly.
Once Fully Healed:
Although I do everything to ensure an uneventful healing process for you - it is your responsibility to follow the aftercare guidelines provided to the best of your ability. Once your skin has healed you must make sure to limit sun exposure and always use sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, etc.) - the sun (and tanning beds) will cause premature fading and discoloration. You can purchase sunscreen sticks that are easy to toss in your bag and have readily available for touch ups during the day. Face peels, laser treatments and microdermabrasion will cause the pigment to lighten quicker. If you plan on receiving any of these treatments be sure to inform your technician so that they can avoid the area.
Always feel free to contact me if you have any questions during or after the initial healing process! The best way to get ahold of me is via text or email! I stay so busy during the day that I usually don’t have time to answer the phone or return calls.
1. Within minutes after your procedure they will begin to oxidize and appear darker.
This is because your body has already begun the healing process! In order for your skin to heal your body must create a scab to protect the newly traumatized skin, and in order to form a scab your blood and platelets need to dry and harden. When everything dries it oxidizes and becomes darker. This will flake off once your body is done “actively healing”, which takes about 7-10 days on average depending on your overall health and your body’s ability to heal itself.
2. A few hours later or the next day they may appear more red and/or ‘filled in”.
This is because the effects of the topical anesthetics (that contain epinephrine) will have worn off so any excess redness may be present. The redness is usually inside of the eyebrow, filling the gaps between the hairstrokes I created which can make it look more solid or filled in. Some people don’t experience this, either way this is normal! :)
3. They will begin to flake around day 3 or 4. And this is always when everyone begins to panic, but don’t worry!
This stage of healing can look a little strange however is unavoidable since it is part of the healing process. The areas that flake first will appear lighter for two reasons: one is that it will be directly next to an oxidized scab and the contrast between the two areas will make it appear very light and secondly, your skin is not finished healing yet and will appear “shiny” or “foggy” until your skin completely regenerates itself. The regenerative process takes about 4-6 weeks after the day of your procedure, so around week 6 your healed results will be present! :)
And remember, microblading is not a one step process. Although some may see great results after just one procedure, most people need at least two procedures to reach desired results. (Those with certain skin types may need more than two!) Having a few areas that the pigment didn’t seem to hold on as well or maybe in general we need to go a little bit darker with the pigment – that’s what your first touchup is for! Your first procedure is almost like a science experiment for me to see exactly how your skin reacts to everything so that during the touchup if I need to tweak anything about the pigment or my technique I’ll know exactly what I need to do! :)
How to Take Care of Your New Eyebrows:
IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE
Gently blot away excess moisture as you see it, for 10-20 minutes. (I’ll give you a clean/dry paper towel to use before you leave.)
TONIGHT
Before going to bed this evening, apply a thin layer of the silver gel (in the small clear jar that I’ve given you) using your CLEAN finger tip. This is all you will need to do tonight.
EVERY MORNING AND NIGHT FOR THE NEXT 7-10 DAYS (OR HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES THE SCABS TO COME OFF ON THEIR OWN) ***
CLEAN - Gently wet your brows with room temperature/warmish water cupped in your hands. Apply a pump of the AfterSoap (the bottle of foaming soap I’ve given you) onto your fingertips and very gently wash your brows using only your fingers. Splash off any excess soap and very gently pat dry with a clean dry paper towel ONLY.
*Do not wash your brows in the shower, only every do this at your sink.
PROTECT – Using your clean fingertip, apply a very thin layer of the silver gel in an upward and outward motion, pretend as if you’re styling your brow hairs with it! Applying too much of the gel, or applying the gel too often can cause a build up on your brows that can make the healing process not go as smoothly.
Do not use a q-tip to apply the gel, only your clean finger.
MOISTURIZE – Each day, you may use the grape seed oil (the small amber colored vial I’ve given you) throughout the day for moisture. Gently pat a very small amount of the oil onto your brows using your clean fingertips.
Maximum 4 times a day.
*You may also wash and apply the gel a third time half way through the day, if you feel like you need it – not everyone does. You know your body and how it heals – so if a third time is needed that’s perfectly fine!
*You can stop using the silver gel once all of the scabs have come off. If you’d like to continue using the soap to cleanse and grape seed oil for moisture – you can totally do that!
Keep your new eyebrows dry in between cleanings. (7-10ish days).
What I mean by this is when you splash them with water, or if they accidentally get wet in the shower – don’t let them sit and stay wet! Microbladed eyebrows heal the best when you allow your body to heal itself with minimal irritation. If you accidentally get your eyebrows wet be sure to immediately blot with a clean dry paper towel, and you can even blow them dry with a hair dryer on the cool setting! If you let the scabs become soft – it may result in poorly healed brows.
You will experience flakiness/dry skin,
Do not pick or ‘assist’ off anything that isn’t coming off with your daily aftercare cleaning routine. You may have scabs that are lifted from your skin but stuck in your actual eyebrow hairs. If you know the scabs are definitely not stuck to your skin, you may gently assist them out using a q-tip or however you choose to being certain to not force any areas that aren’t ready to come off on their own. “Picking” of any kind will result in patchy areas of pigment fallout.
It is Very Important That You Avoid the Following:
- DO NOT pick at your healing eyebrows. This is crucial. Picking almost always results in pigment fallout and can cause scarring. Please allow your body to naturally exfoliate and regenerate on it’s own.
- DO NOT allow ANY skincare products to touch your new eyebrows. This includes but is not limited to soap, cleanser, moisturizer, serums, makeup etc. Doing so may cause excess sensitivity, changes in pigment color or could even cause the pigment may reject from your skin!
- DO NOT apply ANY makeup products over your new eyebrows. Applying makeup over your freshly tattooed eyebrows at any point before the scabs have completely flaked off may result in infection, pigment loss or even permanent discoloration! Once there are absolutely zero scabs left you may apply product on your eyebrows if needed.
- DO NOT thread, wax, tint, bleach etc. near or over the tattooed area for AT LEAST 6 weeks after your procedure. If you have stray hairs outside of the tattooed area you may tweeze them, however make sure to disinfect your tweezers very well before doing so to avoid infection.
- AVOID excessive sweating for as long as you’re “actively” healing, ideally until all of the scabs have come off on their own (7-10 days).
- DO NOT submerge your brows under water. Absolutely no lakes, ocean, pools/hot tubs, baths, etc.
- 100% ABSOLUTELY DO NOT use tanning beds, sunless tanning products or excessively expose yourself to the sun for at least 6 weeks following your procedure. You need to avoid the aforementioned completely while your skin is actively healing (while scabs are present). Once the scabs have come off be sure to use sunscreen, wear large hats, large sun glasses etc. any time you will be in the sun for more than a few minutes, since UV rays will cause the pigment to fade rapidly.
Once Fully Healed:
Although I do everything to ensure an uneventful healing process for you - it is your responsibility to follow the aftercare guidelines provided to the best of your ability. Once your skin has healed you must make sure to limit sun exposure and always use sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, etc.) - the sun (and tanning beds) will cause premature fading and discoloration. You can purchase sunscreen sticks that are easy to toss in your bag and have readily available for touch ups during the day. Face peels, laser treatments and microdermabrasion will cause the pigment to lighten quicker. If you plan on receiving any of these treatments be sure to inform your technician so that they can avoid the area.
Always feel free to contact me if you have any questions during or after the initial healing process! The best way to get ahold of me is via text or email! I stay so busy during the day that I usually don’t have time to answer the phone or return calls.
812-760-1035
a.edge.tattoo@gmail.com
THERE ARE NO IMPLIED OR WRITTEN GUARANTEES IF YOU DO NOT TAKE CARE OF YOUR NEW TATTOO. PLEASE REMEMBER - EVERYONE HEALS DIFFERENTLY. HAVE PATIENCE AND LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.
a.edge.tattoo@gmail.com
THERE ARE NO IMPLIED OR WRITTEN GUARANTEES IF YOU DO NOT TAKE CARE OF YOUR NEW TATTOO. PLEASE REMEMBER - EVERYONE HEALS DIFFERENTLY. HAVE PATIENCE AND LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.