If you are thinking about improving your look with the hottest permanent makeup treatment at the moment, microblading, you need to get informed about the treatment and especially about aftercare.
Since microblading is a form of a brow tattoo, this means that it includes a healing period during which a strict aftercare routine must be followed. The most common question clients ask is when can I wash my eyebrows after microblading?
When Can I Wash My Eyebrows After Microblading?
Wash your brows from day 2, but gently, without soaking them with water. You need to clean your brows on the first day after microblading, too, to remove the lymph buildup.
You may come across some tips that say you should not wash your brows after the treatment. However, this is not a good practice.
If you don’t wash your brows, you risk getting an infection and heavy scabbing that will pull out the pigment. So, yes, you need to wash them, but that doesn’t mean splashing them with water while washing your face.
Washing Your Brows: 1st Day
When you ask when can I wash my eyebrows after microblading, most professional artists advise keeping your microbladed eyebrows dry for 2-3 hours after the treatment.
After that, you may notice some fluid on your brows, that looks like beads of sweat. That is lymph coming from the wound.
The lymph needs to be removed. On the first day, clean your brows 2-3 times with a cotton pad with a little bit of sterile water to absorb excess lymph fluid.
Washing Your Microbladed Brows: Days 2-10
Now you can wash your microbladed brows but still need to be very very careful. How do you wash them now? No rubbing, just gentle motions. Cleanse them with antibacterial soap and water and tap with a tissue to dry your brows.
Moisturizing Your Microbladed Brows
Some artists recommend applying an ointment to keep your brows moisturized. It is important to apply only a thin layer of the recommended ointment, not to clog the wound. Also, apply it before a shower so you protect the brows from the water.
Image source: Pexels
Here’s What You Need for Washing Your Brows:
Your artist should provide you with the products you need for practicing your microblading aftercare routine as part of the aftercare kit.
But in case they don’t, here a list of stuff to buy.
A Suitable Cleanser
You need a gentle, antibacterial cleanser for washing your freshly microbladed brows – you can’t just use whatever you have at home. Avoid harsh ingredients and fragrance.
Tools for Cleansing and Drying
You will need clean cotton rounds and q-tips for blotting, drying and moisturizing your brows.
An Aftercare Cream
Moisturizing your brows during your microblading healing process will ensure smooth recovery, but, again, you need a suitable formula.
What Happens If I Don’t Wash My Brows After Microblading?
Some artists still advise NO WATER after microblading. This should mean not to wash your face the way you usually do. And of course, no swimming.
But the wound needs to be cleaned. Not cleansing your brows and leaving the fluid dry will cause a crust to form.
Some scabbing is normal, but not cleaning off the lymph and leaving the brows dry can lead to excessive scabbing. The scabs that fall off can pull out the pigment and affect retention.
When Can I Wash My Face After Microblading?
You can wash your face on the first day following the treatment but be very very careful around the treated area. Remember, freshly microbladed brows need to be cleaned gently, not washed.
Water can ruin your microblading, and that is why the cotton pad or a q-tip you use for removing the lymph should be barely damp, not wet.
Find a way to protect the brow area from getting wet when you’re washing your face and during showers. You can get protective patches for your microbladed brows online, or ask your artist.
Image source: Pexels
When Can I Wash My Face After Eyebrow Tattoo?
Ok, so we explained microblading, but what about other treatments, such as ombre powder brows, microshading, nano brows, combo brows?
Well, the aftercare is pretty much the same. You need to clean your brows gently with a cotton pad dipped in sterile water on the first day and continue washing them carefully during the healing period.
What If I Get My Eyebrows Wet After Microblading?
To put it simply, water can damage your freshly microbladed brows. It prevents successful retention of the pigment. This means that you should avoid showers, saunas, swimming pools, and sweating for the first 10 days after the treatment.
If you get them wet by accident, quickly and gently dry your brows and if you are worried you affected the results, contact your artist.
When Can I Wash My Eyebrows After Microblading Touch Up?
Microblading is a 2-step procedure, which means it requires a touch up session 6-8 weeks after the initial treatment.
The amount of work at the touch up depends on how successful the retention of the pigment was and what changes need to be made.
It is advisable to be careful around your brows after the touch up and act exactly the same as after the initial treatment. Blot the lymph gently on the first day and keep cleaning and moisturizing your brows carefully during the aftercare period.
When Can I Wash My Hair After Microblading?
Washing your hair without getting your eyebrows wet can be very tricky. Therefore, you need to avoid washing your hair for at least 3 days after the treatment, and after that be extremely careful not to get your brows wet.
There are tricks to wash your hair during the microblading healing stage. The most often used are protective patches made especially for this. Some artists advise protecting your brows from getting wet by applying a thin layer of Vaseline before the shower.
Image source: Pexels
Extra Tip – Keeping Brows Dry in the Shower:
It may sound funny, but wearing snorkeling goggles in the shower will perfectly protect the brow area from getting wet. Some people even use plastic sun visor hats, which is really helpful, as well.
Alternatively, there are also specially designed protective shileds you can buy online.
Washing Your Eyebrows After Microblading – Main Takeaways
In order to avoid infections, treat your freshly tattooed brows properly. This includes cleaning the brows gently and following all the other important aftercare tips.
Here’s a detailed guide through the aftercare.
Cover image source: Pexels
