After microblading, the skin goes through a healing process, and it needs some special attention in order to recover properly, without any complications, and to be able to retain as much pigment as possible.
Since the treatment implies making tiny cuts on the surface of the skin, the area is at risk of contamination and subsequent infection. Once the scabbing stage starts, the pigments can easily be pulled out if you’re not super careful.
Every artist has their holy grail aftercare routine they claim ensures the best results for their clients. So the debate persists – which is better microblading aftercare, dry healing or wet healing?
Today, we’re focusing on microblading dry healing.
What Is Microblading Dry Healing Like?
Dry healing microblading means the client isn’t supposed to apply any product onto the brow area until it’s healed. They are only supposed to clean the area with sterile water and a very mild soap in order to remove the built-up lymph and dirt.
This means the client has very little responsibility, apart from following the cleaning schedule, and avoiding certain activities. They only have to remember to not touch or scratch the area, and to keep it away from any unsterile surface that could potentially cause contamination.
What’s Wet Healing Like?
Wet healing adds a moisturizing aftercare ointment to the cleaning schedule. The client is prescribed a cream, gel or balm they’re supposed to apply to their brows a couple of times a day, or after every cleaning/washing. The balm acts as a protective barrier and moisturizes the area, which leads to minimal to no scabbing.
Microblading Dry Healing Day by Day
Here’s a general timeline of dry healing microblading. Bear in mind that these are just general guidelines which can be adjusted according to skin type and environmental conditions (how humid the area is):
Day of the Treatment
Clean the brows every 1-2 hours with a cotton pad dampened with warm, sterilized (boiled) water.
Some artists prescribe aftercare wipes instead.
Whatever the case, the lymph that keeps oozing on the day of the treatment has to be cleaned off and not allowed to dry up. If the lymph isn’t cleaned off, it builds up and dirt and bacteria get stuck in it, putting the wound at great risk of infection.
Only blotting is allowed – rubbing will extract the pigment.
Days 1 – 14
Clean the brows as described 2-3 times a day.
Don’t apply any product on them until the peeling ends.
What to Avoid During Healing
- Getting the brows wet outside of cleaning
- Sweating
- Any products in the area
- Sunlight exposure
Special Trick
There’s a product on the market called liquid bandage. It’s a formula which dries into a super thin, filmy barrier on the brows and protects the open wound.
More and more artists have been using it as the first step in microblading dry healing. They cover the clients’ brows with it after the treatment, the film is left on for a certain time, and after that, the regular dry healing routine continues. The liquid bandage doesn’t only protect the area, but it also absorbs the excess lymph, meaning there’s no need for cleaning as long as it’s on.
What Are the Benefits of Microblading Dry Healing?
When it comes to microblading aftercare dry healing is definitely a conversation starter. Some artists swear by it, while others discard it as outdated and claim the industry has evolved past dry healing microblading.
Let’s see what artists who prescribe microblading dry healing highlight as its benefits:
The Strokes Heal More Crisp
Definitely the biggest argument in favor of microblading dry healing, but it comes with one condition – the scabs aren’t touched.
Artists who prefer dry healing claim that wet healing can cause the strokes to blur a bit, so the healed results aren’t perfectly crisp. With dry healing, there’s very little oil, only what the skin itself produces, so the pigments cannot get blurred.
Yes, dry healing can give crisper results, but only if the scabs are not touched. At all. Which is very challenging with dry healing, as the scabs form thicker, and the area feels tight, dry and itchy, so it takes nerves of steel resisting the urge to touch them and scratch them.
Fact is, most clients will touch their brows at least occasionally, and the thicker scabs that form when dry healing microblading trap a lot of the pigments. If they’re ripped off prematurely, they take the color with them, making the results heal patchy.
It’s Better for Oilier Skin
This one most artists agree on – microblading dry healing is better than wet for clients who have oily skin.
Oily skin produces and extracts more sebum, which moistens the healing wound sufficiently to not form thick, dry scabs, and to not feel unbearably itchy. The results heal crisp, and the wound heals properly because it has just enough moisture, yet it’s allowed to breathe.
What Are the Cons of Microblading Dry Healing?
Here’s why many artists don’t like dry healing microblading.
It Causes More Scabbing
If the wound isn’t supplemented with a moisturizing ointment, it will ooze more lymph and thicker scabs will form, sometimes even regardless of frequent cleaning.
Thicker scabs trap more pigment and they take more of it when they fall off. Plus, the thicker the scab, the more the client will be tempted to touch it and rip it off.
There’s a bigger chance the brows will heal patchy.
It’s More Uncomfortable for the Client
For the client, dry healing can be uncomfortable, as there’s no way to relieve itchy eyebrows after microblading – you can’t scratch them, and there’s no ointment that would moisten the area and minimize the itchiness.
Hence, the bigger risk of them not being able to resist the urge of scratching their brows and ripping off the scabs.
There’s a Bigger Risk of Infection
With dry healing, there’s no additional contamination barrier the aftercare ointment provides. So the wound is more prone to infection.
Some Artists Forbid Even Cleaning
Some artists take the phrase dry healing literally, when in fact, the brows need to be cleaned in any version of microblading aftercare in order to heal without complications. If they’re not, the built-up lymph traps dirt and bacteria and the wound can get infected easily.
Plus, very thick scabs will form, the area will feel extremely dry and itchy, and the chance of losing pigment is huge.
So, Is Microblading Dry Healing Good or Not?
Dry healing microblading has certain advantages, mainly the possibility of perfectly crisp healed strokes, but it definitely has its downsides. So most artists adjust it to compensate for the disadvantages by allowing an occasional moisturization.
The clients are instructed to apply a very small amount of an aftercare ointment in case their brows start feeling dry and itchy. This takes into account the oiliness of their skin, and has become a common practice. The best of both worlds!
For more information on both versions of microblading aftercare, read this guide.
Cover image source: Freepik
