When you decide to enhance your look with an eyebrow tattoo, understanding the healing process and the aftercare methods recommended by your permanent makeup artist is important.
Maintaining a healthy skin condition not only supports smoother recovery but also ensures the longevity and beauty of your tattooed eyebrows. Different methods of aftercare may be suggested, tailored to suit your skin type and lifestyle, enabling you to enjoy your new brows without complications.
Care for Eyebrow Tattoo – Short Answer
Pre-Tattoo Eyebrow Instructions
Before enhancing your look with an eyebrow tattoo, it’s important to follow pre-care instructions closely. This helps minimize bleeding, and skin sensitivities and ensures the pigment implants effectively. Here’s how to prepare:
Avoid Blood Thinners: Stop taking supplements like Fish Oil, Vitamin C, Glucosamine, and Evening Primrose Oil one week before. Avoid medications like Ibuprofen or Aspirin to reduce bleeding.
Product Pause: Discontinue skin brightening, anti-aging, and anti-acne products containing AHA, Vitamin A, or Retinol 30 days before your appointment. These can interfere with healing.
Facial Treatments: Avoid facials, microdermabrasion, microneedling, peels, and laser treatments for 4 weeks. No cosmetic injections on the forehead for two weeks.
Physical and Sun Exposure: Skip the gym and tanning sessions before your appointment. Sunburn or damaged skin impacts healing.
Day of Procedure: No alcohol, coffee, or caffeine 24 hours before the session. Pain tolerance might be lower during your menstrual cycle. These steps ensure your skin is in optimal condition for the tattoo and enhance healing afterward.
What to Expect After Your Eyebrow Tattoo
Day 1: Fresh Ink and Swelling
On the first day, your brows will appear darker than expected, and the area may feel tender and swollen. This is normal due to the fresh ink and oxidation. Start aftercare immediately, following your artist’s instructions.
Days 2-7: Healing and Flaking
For the first week, your brows will still look dark and bold, and flaking might begin. Remember, this is just part of the process, and the final color will settle in after healing. By day 4, some flaking will occur. Don’t pick at your brows to avoid pigment loss or infections.
Days 8-14: Settling In
As the second week progresses:
Clarity Emerges: Most of the flaking should have finished by day 7, and the true color and shape of your brows will start to appear.
Approaching Normality: By day 14, the healing is mostly complete. Your brows may look slightly lighter, but this is your settled result.
If needed, you can assess any adjustments during your follow-up appointment at this point.
Post-Tattoo Aftercare Tips
Aftercare is essential to maintaining the longevity of your new eyebrow tattoo. Follow these guidelines to ensure smooth healing:
- Gentle Cleaning: After your procedure, gently dab any fluids like blood or lymphatic secretions with a clean, wet wipe.
- Prevent Crusting: Avoid letting secretions harden, which can cause crusting and affect the final appearance.
- Water Contact: Keep the area dry, especially for the first few days. When washing your face, avoid direct water contact on the brows.
- Mild Cleansing: Use a mild soap without irritants like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or AHA/BHA to avoid premature exfoliation.
- Sun and Heat Exposure: Protect your brows from the sun with a hat or sunglasses, and avoid excessive sweating.
Wet vs. Dry Healing Methods
There are two common aftercare methods:
- Wet Heal Approach: Many modern artists recommend wiping the area every 15 minutes to an hour post-procedure. This keeps the skin hydrated, minimizes scabbing, and promotes even color healing.
- Dry Heal Technique: This older method requires no products, letting the skin heal naturally. It may result in heavier scabbing and more color loss, but it’s simpler for some clients.
Choose the method your artist recommends based on your skin type and lifestyle.
Long-term Care of Your Eyebrow Tattoo
To ensure your cosmetic tattoo remains vibrant and well-shaped, follow these long-term maintenance tips:
- Sun Protection: Prolonged sun exposure fades tattoos faster. Always apply sunscreen to your brows when spending time outside.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Smoking or frequent sunbathing can accelerate fading. Protect your brows from such exposure.
- Product Avoidance: Avoid using Retin-A, hydroquinone, or acid-based products near the brows to prevent rapid skin exfoliation and fading.
- Touch-Up Appointments: It’s recommended to schedule touch-ups every 1-3 years to maintain the color and shape of your eyebrows.
- Annual Maintenance: Regular touch-ups keep your brows looking fresh and prevent fading due to factors like skin type or sun exposure.
- Medical Procedures: Inform technicians about your tattoo before procedures like chemical peels, laser treatments, or MRIs, as these can affect the pigment.
- Skincare Routine: Be mindful of your skincare products around your brows to avoid premature fading.
Conclusion
Proper care for eyebrow tattoos ensures beautiful, long-lasting results. From pre-tattoo preparation (avoiding blood thinners and certain products) to following aftercare guidelines (wet vs. dry healing), maintaining your brows requires diligence. Regular touch-ups and protection from sun exposure and harsh products are key to keeping your eyebrow tattoos vibrant for years to come.
