Your appointment is only half of the process. The other half happens at home, over the next ten days, and it is entirely in your hands. I tell every client the same thing: this is not a tattoo. Because of that, you need to be disciplined, and even strict, with the aftercare instructions.

This guide follows the aftercare I give my clients after microblading, powder brows and combination brows. It is written to help you remember what to do once you are home, and to explain why each step matters. Eyeliner and lips have their own routines, so the steps below are for brows.

Why aftercare makes such a difference

Your brows are healing skin. During those first days the area is sensitive, and what you do, or do not do, affects how the pigment settles and how the final result looks. I like to say that the first ten days decide how the final result looks. The pigment goes in during the session, but the healing is what turns that work into brows you will love.

That is also why the aftercare kit is included in the price, and why I send a message one week after every appointment to ask how you are doing. I do not want you to do this alone.

Phase 1: the day of your appointment

The first phase lasts only for day one, but it is the most intensive. After your session:

1. Clean your brows with a soft wipe that has no alcohol. Always wipe from the front of the brow toward the back.
2. Apply vitamin cream in a very small amount. Make good contact with the skin, but keep the layer thin.
3. Repeat this every 2 hours.

Keep it simple and gentle. A thin layer is enough. More cream does not mean better healing.

Phase 2: day 2 through day 10

From the second day until the tenth day, the routine becomes lighter:

• Clean your brows with the same alcohol free wipe.
• Apply a small amount of vitamin cream.
• Do this 3 times a day.

Stay consistent for all nine days. Put it on your phone as a reminder if you need to, because it is easy to skip the middle of the day when life gets busy.

What to avoid while you heal

These are the items I underline for every client:

• No makeup and no oils on your brows. Keep the area free of anything that is not part of your aftercare.
• No direct sun. Cover your brows with a hat or stay in the shade when you are outside.
• No swimming pools and no steam rooms or saunas. Stay away from them for one week.
• No exercise for one week. Heavy sweating is best avoided while your brows are healing.

One week is the minimum for the last three items. If you have a holiday, a wedding, a trip to the beach or a big event, plan your appointment so that it does not land right before it. Talk to me about your calendar when you book and I will help you choose a date.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using too much cream. A thin layer is enough.
• Skipping the day one routine because your brows look fine. The first day matters.
• Wiping in every direction instead of front to back.
• Using a wipe that contains alcohol.
• Putting makeup on to cover the area, even when you feel self conscious about it.
• Going back to your normal workout or a pool day too soon.
• Comparing your brows to photos of other people on day three. Healing takes time, and every skin heals at its own pace.

Use your aftercare kit and set up a simple routine

Your kit has everything you need for the routine above, and I ask my clients to use it for at least one week. Keep the wipes and the cream together in one clean place where you will see them, such as next to your bathroom mirror or your bed, and wash your hands before touching the area. A routine that is easy to follow is a routine you will actually follow.

Be patient with how your brows look

Your brows will not look the same on day three as they will after they have healed. The skin is going through a process, and the color and shape you see along the way are not the final result. This is exactly why the six week visit exists, and why I check in on you after one week. If you are worried about how your brows look, send me a message and we can talk about it, instead of trying to fix it yourself.

The touch up at six weeks

For brow services, the touch up happens around six weeks after your first session. It is not included in the initial price. A touch up between 6 and 12 weeks costs $100. Between 4 and 8 months it costs $180, and between 12 and 18 months it costs $250.

The six week visit gives us the chance to see how your skin actually held the pigment and to perfect the result. It is a normal part of the process for microblading, powder brows and combination brows.

How long your results last

Every skin is different, and the following numbers are approximate. Microblading lasts about a year. Powder brows last one to two years, depending on your skin type, whether you came back for the six week touch up and how well you followed your aftercare. Combination brows last about twelve to eighteen months.

When to message me

If something feels unusual, do not wait and worry on your own. Send me a message. I am happy to answer questions during your healing, and I will check in with you one week after your appointment regardless. If you have a medical concern, see your doctor.

A quick summary

• Day 1: clean, apply a thin layer of vitamin cream, repeat every 2 hours.
• Days 2 to 10: clean and apply a small amount, 3 times a day.
• No makeup, no oils, no direct sun.
• No pools, steam rooms or exercise for one week.
• Touch up around six weeks.

Thinking about your first appointment?

If you are still deciding, you can start with a free consultation and learn about each technique: microblading, powder brows and combination brows. To prepare before you come in, read How to Prepare for Your First Permanent Brow Appointment.

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