What’s the Healing Process for Microblading and Powder Brows?

As with any procedure, there are aftercare recommendations you must stick to in order to get the best out of your brand-new brows. So, if you do follow those directions, what can you expect when it comes to the overall healing process?

The procedure for microblading, powder brows and other forms of semi-permanent tattooing involves inserting tiny dots of pigment into the skin, ensuring a natural. smooth shading effect. Because of this, you will notice that your brows will be a bit swollen and quite dark immediately after the treatment – no need to freak out! The pigment fades quite rapidly.

The healing process takes 4-6 weeks, and during this time you need to be very careful of your new brows.

Here is what you can expect during that time:

Days 1 and 2

Your brows will be very dark and appear like a solid block of colour. They may be slightly red and swollen due to the procedure. Be prepared for them to lighten significantly, so don’t panic if they appear different to the outcome you expected – they will fade, fast!

Day 3

By this time, the brows will start to harden and scab over. It’s important not to touch or pick at them, as it may affect how evenly the pigment embeds in the skin during this part of the process. Leave them be, and you’ll see that they start to naturally fall off.

Days 4 through 10

It will be VERY tempting to touch and try to ‘fix’ your brows as the scabs will keep falling off, and this could mean that for a few days your brows may look slightly patchy. This will right itself as well over the next few days, and won’t last long. Your brows will be slightly itchy as they heal, but DON’T scratch or touch them. Continue your aftercare routine, remember to avoid getting them wet at all, and be patient.

Days 10 through 14

Your brows will have significantly lightened – and at this point may appear a little lighter than the end result you were after – don’t panic! The scabs would have just about all fallen off, and the healing process will almost be complete.

Days 14 through 21

Your brows are finally looking great! They will be taking their final shape and the pigment will be settling in much better. There may be some residual unevenness, but you’ll notice that this is working itself out and is getting better day after day.

Days 21 through 30

Congratulations - your brows should be looking perfect! It’s now time to book in a touch-up appointment to correct any flaws, and lock in the colour to last the next 12-18 months.

What factors affect the healing process?

There are several things that affect how fast your brows heal, and how effective the process is overall. These can include factors such as:

• Skin type – depending on your skin, some types will settle and heal faster as the pigment sets in
• Age
• Diet – the healthier you eat, the better your brows will heal
• Smoking – cigarettes will slow down the healing process and may take slightly longer than the periods outlined above
• Physical activity – if you break a sweat, it may affect healing as this can make the brows wet. Wherever possible, avoid strenuous physical exercise during the healing process for this reason
• UV exposure – try to avoid tanning and any prolonged sun exposure during (and after!) the healing period. Exposure to sunlight will also promote fading over time, so even after they have healed, use high protection sunscreen every day as part of your skincare routine.

Is the scabbing period normal?

Scabbing is absolutely normal, and you should expect it after a semi-permanent brow treatment. If you are worried about how your brows are healing, get in touch with us.

You can expect to see light scabbing a few days after treatment, and they can last for 5-7 days. During this time it’s very important you don’t touch them because you can slow down the healing process or damage the end result.

What do I do once my brows have finished healing?

Once they have completely healed and your brows have settled in, you can wash your face as you normally would, recommence your skincare routine, apply makeup, swim and work out.

To ensure your brows continue to look good, be sure to book regular touch-ups. Avoid using face products that contain retinol, glycolic and lactic acids as they speed up fading, and try to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

Do I really need touch-ups?

In short, yes, if you want your brows to last longer. Semi-permanent brow tattooing requires two sessions, so although called a ‘touch-up’, the second session is necessary as part of the first round of treatments. This second session will be booked for you after the healing period is over, which is usually around four weeks after the initial treatment. It is aimed at correcting any imperfections and ensuring the correct colour and desired effect for the following 12+ months.

After this 12-month period, you should book another touch-up as soon as you notice the colour starts disappearing. If it fades too much, you may need to repeat two sessions, or otherwise start from scratch, to get the desired result again – so don’t leave it too long!

If you’re ever in doubt as to what’s going on with your newly done brows, want to know if you need a touch-up, or have any other questions, we’re happy to help! Simply get in touch with us here.