Essential Aftercare Tips for Microblading and Microshading Success

miamibrowdoctor
Aug 1
3 min read

Proper aftercare is essential to ensure optimal healing and pigment retention. Please follow these instructions carefully for the best results.

First 7–10 Days: The Healing Phase

Do:

Keep brows dry – Avoid sweat, steam, or moisture on the area.
Apply healing ointment (if recommended) 2–3x daily with a clean cotton swab.
Sleep on your back to avoid rubbing or smudging your brows.
Protect from sunlight – Wear a hat or avoid direct sun exposure.
For discomfort or headache – Take Tylenol Acetaminophen as needed

Don't:

No long, hot showers or face steaming.
No heavy workouts or sweating.
No makeup, skincare products, or sunscreen on the brow area.
Don’t pick, peel, or scratch scabs or flaking skin.
Avoid facials, chemical peels, or laser treatments for at least 3–4 weeks.

What to Expect During Healing:

Day 1–2: Brows will appear darker, bolder, and slightly red/swollen.
Day 3–5: Flaking, itching, and dryness may occur — this is normal.
Day 6–10: Scabs begin to fall off; pigment may look lighter or patchy.
Week 4–6: Color gradually returns and settles as skin regenerates.

Cleaning Instructions (If Directed by Your Artist):

After 24 hours, gently wipe brows with a damp cotton pad (distilled or bottled water only (this is optional for health purposes) 1–2x daily to remove excess oil and lymph.
Pat dry and apply a very thin layer of healing balm/ointment if advised.

Long-Term Maintenance Tips:

Avoid prolonged sun exposure and tanning beds — use SPF on healed brows.
No chemical exfoliants (retinol, glycolic acid) directly on brows.
Follow-up in 4-6 weeks after your initial session, to discuss is touch up is needed.
Benefits of a touch-up session:
- Perfects Shape & Color: Refines the shape and adjusts pigment tone once your brows have healed and settled.
- Fills in Faded or Patchy Areas: Some areas may fade more than others during healing—touch-ups restore even coverage.
- Boosts Longevity: Reinforces the pigment for longer-lasting results, reducing how soon you’ll need a full refresh.
- Corrects Minor Irregularities: Addresses any asymmetry, uneven strokes, or color shifts from the initial session.
- Enhances Definition: Adds crispness to strokes or shading, especially if they softened too much while healing.
- Tailors the Final Look to Your Preferences: Allows for tweaks in intensity or style based on how you feel about the healed results.
Annual touch-ups are recommended to maintain color vibrancy and definition.

Contact Your Artist If You Experience:

Excessive redness, swelling, or oozing
Signs of infection (pus, intense itching, spreading heat)
Severe discomfort beyond day 3-4 days

Final Results Take Time!

Healing varies by skin type, but full results will show after 4–6 weeks. Be patient — your brows will go through several stages before settling into their final color and shape.

🐾 If You Have Pets – Additional Aftercare Precautions:

During the first 10 days, your brow area is healing and highly vulnerable to infection. Pet dander, hair, and licking (yes, even from your sweet pup!) can introduce bacteria and compromise your results.

To protect your brows, please:

Do not allow pets to sleep in your bed during healing — even if you normally co-sleep.
Keep pets away from your face — no licking, nuzzling, or rubbing near your brows.
Wash your hands thoroughly after touching or playing with pets, especially before applying ointment or touching your brows.
Change your pillowcases daily or every other day and avoid letting pets lie on your bedding or couch pillows.
Vacuum and dust more frequently to reduce airborne pet dander that can irritate healing skin.

Why it matters: Even clean pets carry bacteria and allergens that can cause infections, delayed healing, or pigment loss. It’s important to create a low-bacteria environment during this time.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly.