Aftercare
For best results, it is important for you to follow aftercare instructions!
Please read carefully!
For the first 6-10 days post-treatment, the colour intensity will be significantly more dramatic (brighter or darker), as well as larger, sharper, sometimes redder, and more defined than what is expected for your final outcome. Although the area will appear healed after 10-14 days, it will not be fully healed (or “settled”) for 4-6 weeks. The speed of your result will be based on how quickly the outer layer of your skin exfoliates.
One procedure cannot guarantee desired outcome. In some cases, we need to see how our clients' skin works with the pigment and review the healing process after the first procedure. We offer one complimentary touch-up visit no sooner than 6 weeks and no greater than 10 weeks after your initial procedure. In more complex cases (including colour correction, camouflage, scar tissue, previously removed (lasered) work, or iron disorders/deficiencies) additional charges may apply on touch-ups.
For Brow Procedures:
Wash the treated area gently, lightly and quickly the night of the procedure. Use a gentle cleanser (without acids such as BHA/salicylic or AHA/glycolic) and light fingertip pressure only (no washcloths or Clarisonic). It may be a little uncomfortable, this is normal. Pat the area dry with a paper towel and allow to air dry (or use a cool blow dryer) for a few minutes. Your Aquaphor ointment should never be applied over damp skin. You may gently, lightly and quickly wash the brows morning and night during your entire healing process.
If your skin is dry: Keep the area moisturized. Use Eucerin Aquaphor as an aftercare protectant. This will be provided for you. Never use Polysporin or any medicated ointment. Gently apply a very thin layer after a light washing, drying and thorough air-drying in the morning and before bed for 7-10 days. Wipe or dab off excess product until flaking starts, after which excess product should be blotted off. There should be barely any product on the skin. Too much Aquaphor is not helpful to healing.
If your skin is oily: you may opt for dry healing if you like. Wash the brows the night of the procedure as instructed above and air dry. Apply a thin layer of Aquaphor for the first night and the next morning. After that, no more Aquaphor needs to be used. Gently wash the brows with light fingertip pressure 1-2 times a day with gentle face wash or just warm water. Dry them immediately, gently blotting with a clean, dry towel or paper towel. If the brows start feeling tight or too dry, you may apply a little Aquaphor, as instructed above. Remember: less is more!
Avoid wetting the brows excessively for extended periods of time until flaking finishes (usually around 10-14 days post-procedure). This means no soaking, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, long hot baths, or excessive exercise. Gentle cleansing 1-2 times a day (morning/night) is ok, using non-acid soaps/facial cleanser. Dry the brows quickly and air-dry for several minutes before smoothing on a tiny dab of Aquaphor (provided).
Avoid skincare, serums, sunscreens and makeup on pigmented areas (wash and apply products around your new brows). Pat face dry with a clean towel, do not rub or buff the treated area. The goal is to avoid the healing brow to get saturated with water and stay wet. It's important not to let the treated area soak, as this will likely lift the pigment away and the result will be patchy. Remember never to apply ointment onto damp skin.
DO NOT rub, scratch, or pick any crust in the tattooed area. They must be allowed to exfoliate at their own pace. Any peeling of flakiness or removal of crusting or scabbing will likely result in lost colour. Picked-at brows are patchy brows. Leave them alone! Allowing the scabs to fall off without help will result in better colour retention.
DO NOT apply makeup or sunscreen on the treated area during the healing process. This may permanently alter the colour or cause infection.
Avoid hard workouts (especially those that cause a lot of sweating, such as spinning and hot yoga), swimming, soaking, steam baths, saunas and facials in the first 7-10 days post-treatment.
Avoid applying topical exfoliants (AHA, BHA, glycolic acid, lactic acids, etc.) to the treated area for at least 4 weeks post-treatment.
Avoid sun exposure (including tanning beds) during the healing process. You should not apply sunscreen to the treated area while it's healing, so it is very important that you monitor your daily exposure and keep it to a minimum. UV exposure is very bad for tattoo pigments!
Points of Note:
The colour will look darker (and the brows bigger) for the first 5-7 days until the scab peels or flakes off, after which it will look smaller and lighter. Try to sleep on your back during the healing process if possible.
With Microblading, the after-effects (scabbing, swelling, etc.) can be significantly less dramatic than a traditional tattoo. Following my recommended protocol helps with pigment retention and ensures good results.
With Microblading, it is quite common for some hair-strokes to lighten (or sometimes disappear!) after the initial healing phase (7-10 days post-treatment). The colour may look "off". Don't panic! At weeks 3-5 the hair-strokes will reappear and the colour will often warm up a bit. This is why we don't touch-up or alter the brows until 4 weeks after your initial session.
This photo block generously created by a colleague details common healing with Microblading. Some people heal slower, some heal faster, some scab and peel and some barely flake!
Long-Term Care
Using a quality sunscreen daily will help prolong the health of your skin! UV light quickly fades tattoo ink and so a daily use sunscreen will help it stay looking fresher, longer.
Our pigments are partially iron-oxide based, which your body will slowly absorb as mineral irons. This means the colour will fade over time. You will likely need a touch-up every 1-3 years. The speed of fading is dependant on your skin type.
If you are planning a chemical peel, MRI or other medical procedure, please inform your provider that you have an iron-oxide cosmetic tattoo.
