So, you’ve just leveled up your look with permanent makeup eyebrows—whether you went for nano brows (a.k.a. digital microblading), combo, powder, or ombre brows (a.k.a. microshading). Congratulations, superstar! Your new perma brows are the ultimate beauty hack, but like any tattoo procedure, they need some TLC to heal beautifully and give you the bold, flawless brows of your dreams. Here’s the scoop on keeping those brows looking fresh and fabulous.
Your Brows Are Healing—Be Patient, Be Kind
After your procedure, it’s normal to experience redness, swelling, and a darker-than-expected brow color—don’t worry; this is just part of the process! Every client’s skin heals differently, so if your brows look uneven, itchy, or slightly irritated, keep calm and trust the journey. Remember: it’s a marathon, not a sprint!
As they heal, your brows will fade 10 - 50%. This process usually occurs over three to thirty days, with the most noticeable changes occurring in the initial week.
During the healing process, you may notice some shedding or peeling of skin with pigment, making it seem like hair strokes are disappearing—rest assured, they’re not gone. Ombre brows, in particular, may form more extensive scabs or show uneven healing patterns, but resist the urge to pick or scratch!
Scars often struggle to retain pigment because they consist of densely packed collagen bonds, which are white and opaque. During the healing process, collagen is vital in repairing the skin. As these collagen bonds rise to the epidermis, their opaque nature temporarily covers the tattoo, making the color appear to fade or disappear. However, once the collagen has fulfilled its repair function and diminishes, the color reemerges, revealing the intended result (Marti, 2024). As this process occurs and pigment oxidizes, areas may darken slightly. Your brows will settle into their final, beautiful shade in about six weeks.
It’s important to note that how your skin and body heal is unique to you and beyond the control of your technician. Even with diligent aftercare, factors like skin type, lifestyle, and health can result in fading, blurring, or reduced pigment retention. These variations are normal and do not reflect the technician’s work. Trust the process and give your brows the time they need to shine!
The Do’s and Don’ts of Perma Brows Aftercare
Through Day 14
Keep It Clean
You’ll notice different opinions on the topic in the next section, but one thing all artists can agree on? Keeping your brows clean is non-negotiable. Those tiny open wounds need a clean slate to heal properly—because, trust us, you don’t want an infection messing with your fresh ink.
To clean your freshly pigmented brows, gently blot the area with a clean tissue or soft gauze to remove any excess fluid or buildup. This helps maintain a clean surface, reducing the risk of irritation or infection. If needed, lightly dab the area with a damp cotton pad, but don’t overdo it—less is more when cleaning fresh brows. No soaking or splashing—your brows must stay as dry as possible while cleaning.
A Tale of Two Artists: Different Takes on Aftercare
Keep It Bone Dry, or Use Aftercare Cream?
The Dry Browers
They tell their clients not to use aftercare balm but to keep their brows as dry as possible.
Verses…
A Little Moisture Is Good
To help the area heal, apply an aftercare balm in the morning and evening for two weeks. You can use petroleum jelly or something specifically designed for tattoo aftercare.
I, Ami Mariscal, think a little moisture is good, especially for people with normal to dry skin. It’s probably not worth it if you have oily skin. Some dry browers believe that when you put petroleum jelly on it, you’re not giving the area air to breathe, but petroleum jelly isn’t going to sit on your face all day and all night, so the area has plenty of time to breathe either way.
I do microneedling for myself and like to use petroleum jelly afterward. I used Aquaphor once, and it stung. I considered that telling. Microneedling creates tiny holes in your skin, similar to the holes created by the permanent makeup tattoo machine, so it’s a good analogy.
Sweat? Forget About It!
Skip the gym, saunas, and steamy showers for two weeks. Sweat and bacteria are your brows’ worst enemies right now. Pro tip: Try light, low-intensity workouts to stay active without breaking a sweat. And you can always sport a headband for added protection during those low-intensity workouts.
No Picking, Scratching, or Peeling
Let the scabs do their thing! Around day three, peeling begins, and it may last a few days. Resist the urge to pick—trust us, it’s worth it. Picking could lead to uneven pigment or infections. If it’s itchy, use the aftercare balm or cream.
Through 30 Days
Protect Your Investment
From sweat to self-tanners, avoiding certain activities during the healing process is crucial to getting the best results from your eyebrow tattoo Los Angeles appointment, or as we like to say when you get them from us, your Arbelo brows.
- Stay out of the sun for at least 30 days. Hats and sunglasses are cool, but they’re not enough. After healing, keep sunscreen handy—your brows will thank you! And obviously, avoid tanning beds.
- Avoid self-tanners around your brows. They can cause discoloration and uneven fading by interfering with the healing process and altering the pigment's final look.
- Avoid pools and oceans. Chlorine and salt water are brow kryptonite.
- No exfoliation (chemical or physical) for 30 days. Retinol and peels are a no-go.
What If It Doesn’t Go Perfectly?
Sometimes, even when you follow aftercare perfectly, factors like skin type, lifestyle, or medications can cause uneven fading or poor pigment retention. It’s not your fault or your technician’s fault—it’s just how skin works. That’s why touch-ups are part of the eyebrow tattoo Los Angeles process.
Why Permanent Makeup Isn’t Forever (and That’s OK!)
Let’s keep it real: perma brows are amazing, but one visit to an artist doesn’t mean you’ll have perfect brows for the rest of your life. Over time, pigments fade, and hair strokes may blend or blur as your skin changes with age. Touch-ups are a must to maintain your look.
Typically, your first touch-up happens six weeks to 10 months after the initial procedure, with follow-ups about every two years for hair strokes or five years for microshading.
Your first touch-up allows your artist to address areas where the pigment may have faded or healed unevenly, ensuring your brows look flawless and last a long time.
Factors like smoking, certain medications, and scars can impact your results, potentially causing the pigment to fade prematurely or heal unevenly. Remember, permanent makeup is an art, not a science—results vary based on your skin and healing process, so occasionally, a pencil or powder may still be needed to perfect your look.
The Golden Rules of Perma Brows Aftercare
- Keep it clean and free from soaking water, especially salt water, like sweat. If your brows feel dry or flaky, apply aftercare balm.
- No exfoliation (chemical or physical) for 30 days. Retinol and peels are a no-go.
- No sun on the brows
Pro Tips for Long-Term Brow Perfection
Once healed, your perma brows thrive with a little ongoing care. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect against fading, and keep them nourished with hydrating products without retinol.
Remember, your brows are a team effort between you and your technician. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll enjoy stunning, low-maintenance brows that make your mornings easier and your selfies fiercer. You’re officially in the perma brows club—welcome to a life of effortlessly gorgeous arches!
Your Brow Journey: What’s Next?
Now that you’ve got all the details on perma brow aftercare, you’re ready for success! Keep these tips handy, follow your technician’s instructions, and trust the process for smooth healing and stunning results.
Have questions about the process or tips that worked wonders for your healing? Drop a comment below and share your experience—let’s keep this community thriving and full of fabulous brows!
Stay connected—follow us on social media for expert tips, inspiration, and real-life client stories that show just how transformative perma brows can be.
Let’s keep your journey to flawless brows exciting and stress-free!