We can’t stress enough how important proper aftercare is after microblading. The aftercare routine is there to ensure your brows heal without any complications, and a huge part of this is washing them properly.
And while most clients understand this, they’re often confused on which is the best face wash for microbladed eyebrows.
So, to help clients and artists decide which wash to use, we’ve done some research and came up with the top 5 washes most often recommended by the PMU community. Let’s look into them and explain what makes a certain product a good choice.
What’s the Best Face Wash for Microbladed Eyebrows?
Here’s the thing – freshly microbladed brows are essentially an open wound that will go through a healing period over the next 2 weeks or so after the treatment. They need to be washed, but clients can’t just use whichever cleanser they have on hand.
The product they’ll be washing the brows with has to be gentle enough to not affect the pigment retention or irritate the already irritated skin further.
So, there are certain ingredients that are absolutely forbidden, and since most people don’t really know what their go-to wash contains, it can be quite problematic if they just keep using whatever it is they normally wash their face with.
But what should they use, then? Here are top 5 safe products artists most often recommend:
1. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Cetaphil is a universally beloved old but gold product. It’s a very gentle cleanser which is good for your skin in general, and it’s also the best face wash for microbladed eyebrows according to many artists.
The great thing about Cetaphil is that it cleanses the skin, yet it doesn’t strip it of its natural beneficial oils.
Plus, it’s dermatologist tested and clinically proven to be gentle on sensitive skin. It contains glycerin which improves the resilience of sensitive skin. It’s fragrance-free, paraben-free, and oil-free which makes it non-comedogenic.
Overall, a great choice of face wash for microbladed eyebrows, but also the rest of your face.
2. Dial Antibacterial Soap
A mild antibacterial soap in general is a good choice of face wash for microbladed eyebrows, and Dial is an affordable, widely known option clients may even already have at home.
It’s a non-drying formula, which is very important for freshly microbladed brows, since the skin will be feeling dry and tight to begin with and the cleanser used mustn’t dry it out further.
Yet, it’s not heavy in moisturizing ingredients which can be too much for healing brows, since they’ll be moisturized with the prescribed ointment. It’s a very affordable option most clients will already know about.
It’s not the best option for facial cleansing in the long-run, but it works well for freshly microbladed eyebrows.
3. Neutrogena
Neutrogena is a widely-known and praised skincare brand that dermatologists in general approve of. Many skincare enthusiasts consider it the most reliable drugstore brand. It’s widely available and quite affordable.
There are several of their face wash formulas which are good for washing microbladed eyebrows, as long as they don’t contain exfoliating ingredients like exfoliating acids.
Perhaps the best formula is the Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, formulated specially for sensitive skin.
You can get a huge pack at an affordable price, and keep using it as part of your normal routine after your brows have healed.
4. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Another hugely beloved skincare brand that provides quality products at affordable prices. It seems that whatever your skin needs, CeraVe has the right product, and microblading aftercare is no exception.
Their unscented, exfoliating acid-free wash is a good gentle yet hydrating cleanser so many artists prescribe it as the best face wash for microbladed eyebrows.
It provides thorough cleaning without stripping it of moisture and it aids the restoration and maintenance of the skin’s natural protective barrier.
5. Phi Microblading After Care Foam
Again, gentle ingredients which won’t affect pigment retention. In fact, Phi Academy claims that their aftercare foam designed specifically for brow tattoo aftercare contains ingredients which are beneficial for pigment retention.
This cleanser comes in a light, fluffy foam consistency which ensures you don’t need to rub your brows hard to wash them (pressing hard when washing is a huge no-no!).
Ingredients to Avoid Post-Microblading
The list of skincare ingredients that should be avoided after microblading is quite straightforward:
- No exfoliating ingredients (many anti-aging ingredients, a large portion of acids) – they can affect pigment retention
- No anti-acne ingredients (mostly different acids) – the same thing
- No fragrance – fragrance can be hugely irritating
This goes for cleansers, but also for other products that may be part of the clients’ skincare routine.
What Clients Need to Know About Washing the Brows Post-Procedure
After microblading, your brows are an open wound which goes through a recovery process just like any other minor skin injury.
This means the tiny cuts will ooze lymph, perhaps even some blood, and unless these secretions are cleaned off, they’ll dry into scabs which can affect the retention of pigment. This is one of the reasons the brows need to be cleaned.
Another reason is the fact that freshly microbladed brows are very susceptible to contamination and subsequent infection, which can make the healing complicated and potentially affect the results. All the dirt and sebum that catches on throughout the day needs to be removed.
But the removal needs to be as gentle as possible. This has to do with the choice of cleanser, but also with how the brows are washed:
- Always wash your hands first.
- Use lukewarm water and a small amount of cleanser.
- Start from the tails of the brows and use circular motions towards the heads of the brows.
- Use very, very light pressure.
- Rinse thoroughly but gently and dab dry with a clean cotton pad.
- Apply a small amount of the prescribed aftercare ointment.
For more detailed microblading aftercare instructions, head over here.
Final Note
If you’re a client who’s thinking of getting microblading or has just had the procedure done, please note that the instructions your artist prescribes may be different from our suggestions.
You should always listen to your artist, as they get to assess your skin and your brows first-hand and may adapt the routine to your needs.
