a. Cleanse 1 or 2 times today- as you feel is needed to keep them clean of any makeup residue and other contaminants. Once at night suites most people.

b. Make sure your brows are always FULLY dry before applying the ointment 2-5 times (morning, noon, and night- at least) today and for the rest of the healing process.

a. Keep your brows hydrated with a gentle moisturizer.

b. Continue to avoid active skincare on your brows such as retinol, BHA / AHA, Benzoyl Peroxide, Glycolic acid, Lactic Acid, Vitamin C and others.

Fresh brows and healed brows are two very different things.

Immediately after treatment, pigment appears darker, sharper and more saturated. During healing, the skin closes, flakes and regenerates over the treated area, while the colour gradually softens into its healed result.

Throughout this process, brows may temporarily appear dark, light, patchy, uneven or as though some pigment has disappeared altogether. These changes are a normal part of healing and should not be used to judge the final result.

The full healing process needs to finish before pigment retention can be accurately assessed. Treating the area again too soon can interfere with healing and makes it difficult to determine what actually requires adjustment.

The Perfecting Session is therefore performed only once the brows are fully healed and the true result of the first treatment can be evaluated.

Some unevenness after the first session is normal and one of the primary reasons a Perfecting Session is included in the PMU process.

Skin can behave differently even within different areas of the same eyebrow. Pigment retention may be influenced by:

• Oil and sweat production
• Hair follicles and natural brow density
• Skin thickness and texture
• Scar tissue or previously treated skin
• How individual areas responded during the initial procedure
• Pressure or friction during sleep
• Accidental scratching, rubbing or picking
• Differences in flaking and skin regeneration
• Individual healing and pigment retention

One area may retain beautifully while another heals lighter.

Perfectly even pigment retention after one session is not the expectation. Once everything has fully healed, lighter or uneven areas can be identified and selectively refined rather than unnecessarily adding more pigment everywhere.

The Perfecting Session begins with an assessment of the fully healed brows, including shape, colour, pigment retention, symmetry and how the chosen technique has settled into the skin.

Client feedback is also important. The healed result may feel perfect as-is, or a preference may have developed for something darker, fuller, softer or more defined after living with the brows for several weeks.

Refinements are then made according to what is actually needed.

For some brows, this may simply mean reinforcing a few lighter areas. Others may benefit from deeper colour, extended hair strokes, additional definition, subtle shading or small adjustments to balance.

Occasionally, very little additional work is required.

The first session creates the foundation. Healing reveals how the skin retains it. The Perfecting Session completes the refinement.

Hair strokes naturally soften and may shrink slightly as they heal, and individual strokes may retain at different intensities.

At the Perfecting Session, the healed pattern can be assessed and refined by:

• Extending strokes that healed shorter than intended
• Reinforcing strokes that healed lighter
• Restoring definition where retention was weaker
• Adding detail where additional balance or fullness is needed
• Adding subtle shading for greater depth or a more filled-in appearance, when desired

Hair strokes are also intentionally not placed too closely together.

Realistic hairstroke work requires negative space between individual strokes. Packing too many strokes into a small area may initially create greater density, but as pigment heals, softens and ages within the skin, closely spaced strokes can gradually blur together and lose the appearance of individual hairs.

The negative space is intentional. It gives each stroke room to heal, age and remain visually distinct.

Once the first session has healed, additional strokes can be strategically placed where the brows actually need them.

Ombre Brows involve shading across a larger area of skin, so the visible healing and flaking process is generally more noticeable than with Nano Brows.

During healing, the brows may temporarily appear patchy, lighter or less saturated than expected. Depending on skin type and individual healing, some areas may also retain more pigment than others.

The Perfecting Session provides an opportunity to:

• Even out lighter areas
• Reinforce the gradient
• Deepen the colour when a bolder result is desired
• Add saturation where needed
• Refine shape and definition
• Balance areas that retained differently during healing

The purpose is not simply to make the brows darker. It is to use the healed result from the first session to determine exactly where additional pigment will improve the final result.

Permanent Makeup is a two-session process for most clients, but occasionally a third session may be recommended to achieve the desired result.

The need for an additional session does not necessarily mean something went wrong. Some skin simply requires more than two treatments to build and retain pigment successfully.

A third session may be recommended when:

• The skin type is less compatible with the chosen technique. For example, hairstrokes may heal softer or retain less predictably in oily, porous or more textured skin. The healed results may indicate that additional pigment — or an adjustment to the technique — would provide a better result.
• Pigment retention was lower than expected. Even with appropriate technique and excellent aftercare, some skin naturally retains less pigment and may require another session to gradually build sufficient colour and definition.
• Aftercare affected the healing process. Picking, scratching, excessive sweating, prolonged moisture, premature exfoliation, sun exposure or other disruptions during healing can contribute to pigment loss and may leave areas requiring additional work.
• Scar tissue or previously treated skin affected retention. Areas with previous PMU, removal treatments, scarring or other skin changes can sometimes require additional sessions to build an even result.
• Additional changes are requested after healing. A preference for greater depth, darker colour, more shading, additional hairstrokes or another adjustment beyond what can reasonably be completed during the Perfecting Session may require another appointment.

When a third session is recommended, the brows must once again be allowed to fully heal before additional pigment is added. Repeatedly working over skin before it has recovered does not create a better result and can compromise both the skin and the quality of the healed Permanent Makeup.

The goal is never to fit every client into a predetermined number of appointments. Each session is based on how the skin has actually healed, with additional treatment performed only when it will meaningfully improve the result.

Permanent Makeup brows are generally very well tolerated, although sensitivity varies from person to person.

The beginning of the procedure is performed before secondary numbing is applied so your artist can preserve the precise shape and outline created during the brow-mapping process. This initial portion only takes a few minutes, and most clients describe the sensation as scratching or similar to — and often less uncomfortable than — tweezing.

Once the initial structure has been established, a topical anesthetic is applied, and additional numbing can be used throughout the procedure to keep you as comfortable as possible.

Individual sensitivity can vary depending on factors such as skin sensitivity, existing scar tissue and your individual response to the procedure, but most clients remain quite comfortable once numbing has been applied.

If you've had a traditional body tattoo before, you'll likely find PMU brows to be a very different experience, particularly because topical numbing is used throughout much of the service.

Your full healing process and aftercare will be explained during your appointment. You can also review the online PMU Brow Aftercare Guide at any time for detailed instructions and what to expect throughout each stage of healing.

PMU Brow Aftercare Guide

The initial visible healing typically takes approximately 5–14 days, although every client heals differently and the experience can vary depending on the technique performed.

Nano Brows generally experience very minimal flaking, as the treatment consists primarily of individual hairstrokes. Ombre or shaded brows may experience more noticeable flaking because a larger area of the brow is treated with pigment.

Immediately following your appointment, your brows will appear darker, bolder and more defined than the healed result. They may continue to darken over the first few days and can feel slightly tight, tender or itchy as the skin begins to heal.

As flaking begins, it is extremely important to never pick, scratch, peel or pull at the brows. Allow all flakes to come away naturally and follow the cleansing and ointment instructions provided by your artist.

Once the flaking has finished, the pigment may temporarily appear very light, patchy or as though some of the colour has disappeared. Don't panic — this can be a completely normal part of healing. As the skin continues to settle, the pigment will gradually become more visible and the colour will continue to develop.

Allow approximately 4 weeks before assessing the healed result of your first session. Please don't judge your brows during the early healing stages — they will change considerably.

Permanent Makeup is a process, and your Perfecting Session is used to assess the healed result and make any appropriate refinements. Your final result should only be evaluated once the entire treatment and healing process is complete.

https://opiabrowsandbeauty.com/pmu-eyebrow-guide/

Yes — you can wear makeup on the rest of your face, but do not apply makeup directly on or immediately over the healing brows for at least 7 days, or until all flaking is completely finished.

Fresh Permanent Makeup is healing skin, and makeup products, brushes and applicators can introduce bacteria or cause irritation. Keep foundation, concealer, brow products and other cosmetics away from the treated area while it heals.

Once all flaking is complete and the skin has healed, you can gradually return to your normal makeup routine.

For complete cleansing, ointment, water, exercise, makeup and sun-exposure instructions, please review the:

PMU Brow Aftercare Guide

Yes. Permanent Makeup does not remove your natural brow hair or stop it from growing, so normal brow maintenance may still be needed.

You can continue tweezing, waxing or shaping unwanted hairs once your brows are fully healed. The difference is that your Permanent Makeup gives you a defined shape to follow, which can make maintaining your brows much easier.

Your natural brow hairs are still an important part of the finished result, so keeping them groomed can help your Permanent Makeup look its best.

24 HOURS BEFORE — LIMIT CAFFEINE

Avoid excess caffeine for the 24 hours before your appointment. One regular cup of coffee or tea in the morning is fine, but please avoid additional caffeine, including:

• Coffee
• Caffeinated sodas and energy drinks
• Caffeinated teas
• Caffeinated supplements, foods or other products

48 HOURS BEFORE — NO ALCOHOL

Avoid all alcohol for at least 48 hours before your appointment.

72 HOURS BEFORE — AVOID BLOOD-THINNING SUPPLEMENTS & MEDICATIONS

Avoid the following for at least 72 hours before your appointment:

• Fish oil supplements
• Vitamin E supplements
• Niacin
• Curcumin
• Blood-thinning pain medications, including ibuprofen, Advil and aspirin
  (Tylenol/acetaminophen is OK.)

ADDITIONAL PREPARATION

• Stay well hydrated leading up to your appointment.
• Avoid tanning and excessive sun exposure before your appointment. Your skin should not be sunburned or compromised.
• Wash your hair the day before or morning of your appointment, as you'll need to be careful around your brows during the initial healing period.

WHY PRE-CARE MATTERS

These instructions are important for minimizing excessive bleeding, irritation and other skin responses that can interfere with the procedure and affect pigment retention and your healed result.

If your service cannot go ahead because of a contraindication, pre-care that was not followed, the condition or response of your skin, or another reason that prevents treatment, the applicable terms depend on whether your appointment has begun.

Before the appointment has begun — your booking fee is forfeited. No further charge applies.

After the appointment has begun — a charge equal to 50% of the scheduled service price + GST applies, with your booking fee credited toward that amount.

Please review the complete PMU Brow Aftercare Guide before your appointment:

https://opiabrowsandbeauty.com/pmu-eyebrow-guide/

PERMANENT MAKEUP BROW AFTERCARE

Your aftercare instructions will be reviewed during your appointment, and you'll have access to OPIA's PMU Eyebrow Guide for detailed instructions throughout the healing process and life of your brows.

Your key aftercare responsibilities include:

FIRST 1.5 HOURS — BLOT

After leaving your appointment, gently blot your brows every 15 minutes for the first 1.5 hours using the damp cotton rounds provided in your aftercare kit. This helps remove excess lymph and fluid from the skin.

CLEANSE DAILY

Cleanse your brows the night of your appointment, again the following morning, and once daily thereafter using a mild, gentle cleanser.

Keep cleansing brief and gentle. Pat the brows dry immediately afterward — do not leave them wet.

APPLY HEALING OINTMENT

Apply a thin layer of the provided healing ointment 3–5 times daily for approximately 7–10 days, or until flaking is complete.

AVOID WATER, SWEAT & HUMIDITY

For approximately 7–10 days, or until flaking is complete, avoid prolonged water exposure, excessive sweating and high-humidity environments.

This includes working out, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and swimming.

Your brows will need to get wet briefly while cleansing — that's okay. Cleanse them quickly and gently pat them dry immediately afterward.

DO NOT TOUCH, PICK OR PEEL

Keep your brows clean and do not pick, scratch or remove any flaking skin. Allow all flakes to come away naturally to avoid disrupting pigment retention and healing.

AVOID SUN & TANNING

Avoid tanning and prolonged sun exposure for 30 days following your appointment.

While your brows are healing and flaking, protect them from direct sun with a hat or other physical shade. Once flaking is completely finished, apply SPF to the brows when exposed to the sun.

Please plan your appointment accordingly and avoid scheduling Permanent Makeup immediately before a sunny vacation or significant sun exposure.

For complete healing instructions, what to expect during each stage, and long-term brow care, please review:
PMU AFTERCARE GUIDE

The full Booking Terms & Conditions are published at opiabrowsandbeauty.com/booking-terms

They cover the booking fee, the notice required to reschedule or cancel, no-shows and late arrivals, and what applies where a service is changed, declined or cannot be performed.

These are the terms accepted at the time of booking.

For most clients, I prefer Nano Brows. Nano hairstrokes are created with a machine rather than a manual blade, allowing for more controlled pigment placement and making the technique suitable for a wider range of skin types and ages. Microblading can still be appropriate in select cases, but Nano is usually my first choice for soft, natural hairstrokes.

Not every faded brow needs more pigment right away. If the shape still looks good and enough pigment remains, sometimes the best option is to allow the brows to fade further rather than continually layering pigment. OPIA’s complimentary Brow Review helps determine whether a Brow Refresh, Laser Toning or simply more fading is the best next step.

The goal is balanced, flattering brows — not artificial perfection. Natural faces and brow growth are rarely perfectly symmetrical, and removing healthy brow hair simply to make both sides identical can sometimes make the result look less natural in person. Mapping is used to create the best possible balance while respecting the natural brows and facial structure.

Often, yes. Permanent Makeup can be a great option for patchy growth, asymmetry and some types of brow scarring, although scar tissue may retain pigment differently from untreated skin. The area is assessed individually so expectations can be set appropriately and the technique adjusted where needed.

No. A good skincare routine does not need to be abandoned to preserve brow pigment. Retinoids, acids, exfoliation and resurfacing treatments can contribute to faster fading, especially when used directly over the brows, so avoiding repeated application over the treated area can help with longevity. Brows are meant to gradually fade and be reassessed over time.

No. Some of the most transformative Permanent Makeup results are on older clients, particularly when natural brow growth has become sparse or difficult to shape. Technique, skin condition and goals matter far more than age. OPIA has worked with clients well into their 80s, with the focus always on a soft, flattering and age-appropriate result.