Descriptions, instructions, and answers for your best eyebrow aftercare – in one place.
Eyebrow
Aftercare
Guide
“The first time I got my brows done, I had no idea what was happening and my aritst didn’t educate me thoroughly on eyebrow aftercare. I hope none of my clients feel that way.”
– Ashely Piereder, PMU Artist
Directory
Make sure to read through all 8 eyebrow aftercare rules on Day 1.
Healing Agenda & Eyebrow Aftercare
Day 1
Oxidation and swelling will cause your brows to appear dark and thick- this is part of the process. Any redness or tenderness will subside within the first 48 hours.
Eyebrow Aftercare Directions
a. Blot off any plasma and fluids that are surfacing with a damp paper towel throughout the day (as often as every 15 minutes).
b. Tonight before bed, use a gentle cleanser (no active ingredient/acid) with clean finger tips and a little water for 10-15 seconds to cleanse (the same to gently rinse), then pat dry with a paper towel. No ointment. Sleep on your back to avoid rubbing.
Day 2
Your brows will appear darker, and they may start feeling a little tight and dry. Don’t be concerned with the colour just enjoy the shape, and know they will soften once healed.
Eyebrow Aftercare Directions
a. Cleanse in the morning with the gentle cleanser as previously directed. No ointment yet. Cleanse in the evening if needed to keep them clean from contaminants like makeup, dirt etc.
b. After 24-48 hours from when your appointment was completed you may start applying the healing ointment with the q-tips provided. A little goes a long way, and your brows should never be goopy, but always moisturized. Never dry or cracked.
Day 3
Your brows likely appear the same as yesterday, maybe a little darker. Slight itchiness is normal, but be careful not to touch or pick.
Eyebrow Aftercare Directions
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.
Day 4
The peeling phase can start as soon as day 4. The dark outer colour will start flaking off and it may appear that there is little pigment beneath. Don’t worry, this is expected and apart of how your skin heals. The brows may appear patchy as the flaking continues. DO NOT pick! Picking will cause uneven healing and very poor pigment retention.
Eyebrow Aftercare Directions
a. Cleanse 1 or 2 times as done on previous days to keep your brows clean and free of contaminants.
b. Apply the ointment 3-5 times to fully dry brows.
Day 5-10
The dark outer colour finishes flaking for most people. You are entering the “Ghosting Phase” where the colour is lighter and softer, and the brows appear a littler thinner. The colour may have a white/ashy hue. Don’t be worried if the brows look like they’ve basically dissapeared compared to what they’ve been – the fresh skin is hiding the pigment you retained in your first session.
Eyebrow Aftercare Directions
a. Continue to cleanse 1-2 times, and apply ointment 3-5 times until all the flaking is done.
b. Once the flaking is completely done you may begin exercising again and having normal showers.
Day 10 - 28
This is the “Blooming” phase. During this time the colour will start to richen up. You may experience some itchiness which is totally normal for some people…it will subside. Be patient, and remember if this is your first session, your touchup is required to achieve the final result. We build up layers of pigment through both sessions to get the level of saturation we want.
Eyebrow Aftercare Directions
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.
8 Rules of Eyebrow AfterCare
CLEANSING
Use a gentle cleanser on and around the eyebrow area. No products containing acids or exfoliates (eg. glycolic, lactic, salyscilic, Benzoyl Peroxide, or AHA/BHA). Cataphil, Cerave gentle cleansers are great, even dove soap will be fine. Use a light touch, and make sure you rinse off all cleanser leaving no residue then pat dry with a paper towl (no face cloth).
Ointment
No ointment for the first 24 to 48 hours. Apply a thin, light coat 3 – 5 times a day until the flaking has completed. Ideally, blot off the prior ointment before applying new layer. Ointment is needed, but using it excessively can starve the skin of air and can result in pigment loss during the healing period. Please use sparingly, just enough to moisten. Keep the ointment with you thorughout the week.
Showers
Do not take exceptionally hot or long showers, and try keeping bathroom doors open to prevent steam. Face away from the shower head, and avoid getting your eyebrows directly wet. Pat them dry when you get out of the shower.
No hot baths, sauna, steam rooms, or hot tubs.
Infection
Always wash your hands before touching your eyebrows. Absolutely no pet grooming, gardening, deep cleaning, or anything that causes dust, dirt and dander for a minimum of 72 hours. Waiting 5 full days is best. Take it easy and relax for a few days!
If you think you’re having an allergic reaction, stop using the ointment and contact me.
Exercise
No intense exercise for 7-10 days. All flaking must be complete. Do not do any activity that causes you to sweat in the eyebrow area, or cause your face to heat up or turn red.
No hot yoga, spin class, running, horseback riding, camping, ATV’s, Skiing, or tubing or what have you! Light exercise like walking or Yin Yoga is fine, but be careful and don’t heat up.
Sun / UV Exposure
UV exposure will cause your eyebrows to fade and not retain pigment. Especially during the 30 days after your procedure.
It’s very important to avoid long periods of sun exposure during this time. After flaking is complete you can wear SPF, and always wear a hat if you will be outside during this time.
Absolutly no sun bathing or tanning beds.
Do Not Pick
Do not pick, peel, or scratch the eyebrows as this could result in your colour healing unevenly, as well as risk scarring and infection.
Peeling is part of aftercare, and must be allowed to happen on its own and not be rushed. The skin needs time to fully heal so it can retain pigment.
Makeup & Skin
No topical makeup on the brows for a minimum of 7 days. Makeup can be bacterial and your brows need adequate time to heal to avoid irritation and/or infection. You may apply your makeup around the area but avoid the brows.
No facials, chemical peels, active skincare, treatments of any kind, or injections on or near the brows for at least 14 days.
Next Steps, touchups?
A Simple Answer
To maintain your eyebrows you’ll want to get a touchup every 1-2 years. There are so many factors at play that determine how long it will be before needing a refresh. Some are in your control, some are not. You can always reach out with pictures or book a check-in (button below) if you’re ready.
Within Your Control
- Avoid tanning beds and sunbathing. If you’ll be exposed to UV always protect with SPF and consider a hat for best practice.
- Avoid Retinol and other resurfacing agents on your brows
- When getting resurfacing treatments like chemical peels, make sure your technician protects your brows from the treatment.
- Do a great job following pre-care and aftercare for each appointment
- Keep your the skin of your brows healthy and moisturized.
Out Of Your Control
- Some skin fades PMU faster due to genetics
- If you have oily or combination skin you’re likely to fade them faster
- If you came to me with previous work that needed correcting you’ll notice your brows fade faster
- If you had scar tissue is your brows, either from previous work or another reason, you’ll notice they fade faster.
Eyebrow Pre-Care
Caffeine
Do not consume coffee or any caffenated beverage or substance at lest 24 hours before your appointment. Caffeine is a anti-coagulant meaning is will make you bleed more during the procedure which can make you scab more during the healing process, and retain less pigment.
If your appointment is at 9:00am, have your morning coffee THE DAY BEFORE ONLY, and no more after that. Drink lots of water throughout the day, to help flush it from your system.
Alcohol
Do not consume any alcohol 48 before your appointment. This greatly helps reduce bleeding during the procedure. You may have alcohol after your procedure, but It is not recomeneded to over burden your system with it. Allow your body to focus on healing from the procedure and not detoxifying the alcohol.
Blood thinners
Do not consume blood thinning medication (Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Advil, Motrin), as well as curcumin (turmeric capsules), or fish oil supplements 72 hours before your procedure.
All these substances thin the blood, therfore reduce your body’s ability to clot and stop the bleeding that may occur during the procedure.
If you are taking prescription medication do not stop unless you’ve spoken to your doctor.
Skin Care Products
Avoid using Retinol on and around your eyebrows for 2 weeks prior your appointment. You will also want to avoid using acids and exfoliants on and around your brows 1 week before your appointment.
Leave 2 fingers distance from your brows to where you apply active skincare. Allow your night time skincare products to fully absorb before going to bed to help reduce migration onto the brow area. Ideally 30 minutes or more.
Breakouts Around the Brows
Your brows and the surrounding skin need to be in good condition for the procedure to continue. Having active acne, cuts, irritation, inflamation or any kind are contraindications of the procedure and you will need to reschedule. If you think your skin on/around your brows needs more time to heal please contact your artist to reschedule.
Sun/UV Exposure
No sunbathing, tanning bed use, or long periods of sun exposure 3 days before your appointment. Sun burnt or irritated skin cannot be worked on, and you will be sent home from your appointment.
Facials & Procedures
No resurfacing treatments, including microdermabrasion, microneedling, laser peels, chemical peels, within 6 weeks before/after your procedure. Gentle or hydrating facials are fine, just make sure your estitician knows you have permanent makeup.
If you are getting any surgery around the eye or nose please leave 6 weeks between your surgery and your eyebrow appointment.
Botox
No Botox 2 weeks before or after your appointment date.
Spray Tan/ Other Treatments
No spray tans on the face (professional or at home) 24 hours beofer the appointment.
No electorlysis treatments 5 days before the appointment.