Aftercare

What to expect once you leave the studio and what to avoid for best results!

The only services I offer that require diligent aftercare is microblading and brow lamination.

LAMINATION AFTERCARE

  • Do not wet the brows for the first 24hrs following the treatment - this includes avoiding swimming, saunas, facial treatments and sweating(working out). Any excess moisture during this time can cause a slight frizz to the brow hairs or disrupt the new bonds of the hair.

  • A complementary aftercare product will be provided to you after your service. Use this aftercare product daily for best results (start using it on the second night post-treatment). Push the product upwards through the brows before bed with a spoolie brush, let it sit overnight and wash off the following morning. Using this hydrating product will help to keep the brows nourished and healthy, and minimize dryness and frizziness as the brows grow back out. 

  • Brush your brow hairs up daily to keep the lifted effect strong, even before you go to bed!

  • Do not apply makeup or undertake further facial/skin treatments for at least 24 hours after your lamination service

  • Do not allow prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or heat.

  • Do not apply Retin-A, AHA, or exfoliate around the brow area for at least 72 hours before and after the treatment. 

  • Avoid sleeping on your face and/or side during the first 24 hours post-service to avoid any awkward kinks in the brow hairs.

  • No self-tanning products to be used on/around the face one week prior, and 48 hours after the lamination treatment

  • To style the brows, use a brow gel to brush them upwards into a look of your choice to help keep the brows in place throughout the day.

MICROBLADING AFTERCARE

  • A barrier cream will be added to your brows immediately following the procedure. Allow this to sit on the brows overnight until the following morning.

  • You will need to start cleaning your tattoo regularly the following morning.

  • To do this, gently dab your tattoo with water and a clean paper towel 5 times a day for one week.

For 1 week after

  • Scratching or picking: you may be tempted to but do not scratch or pick at the tattoo while it's healing to avoid any scarring or pigment loss.

  • Products on the brow area: products include, soaps, lotions, makeup, sunscreen and any other facial products. Products to avoid for a minimum of 3 weeks, but not limited to - Vaseline, Neosporin or other petroleum based products, bleach, tint, dye, anti-acne products (benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, Proactiv, etc.), lightening creams, skin bleaching creams, hydroquinone, anti-aging products, facial products containing Alpha hydroxyls (AHAs), retin-A, lactic or glycolic acids.

  • Direct water, swimming and excessive sweating: be mindful when showering not to soak your tattoo in any way. To cleanse your face, wash around the brow area using a wash cloth or facial wipe. Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs and any other bodies of water. Avoid excessive sweating for at least 10 days, this includes high intensity exercise and saunas. Going for a light walk or performing light exercise is okay if you won't be breaking a sweat.

  • Sun exposure or tanning beds

  • Sleeping on or rubbing your eyebrows.

  • Threading, waxing or any hair removal products on the brow area.

For 2 weeks after, avoid the following

  • Your brows will appear darker and bolder for up to 2 weeks after the date of your appointment. The tattooed hair strokes will soften once healed and lighten approximately 30% - 40% once healed.

  • Minimal scabbing/flaking of the skin is to be expected during the healing process. If you find the tattooed area is quite dry or scabbing, you should clean your brows more often. Do not touch or pick at the tattoo. Allow the scab or dry skin to come off on its own.

  • After 8 weeks have passed, the tattoo will have settled into your skin and the true colour of the tattoo is visible. It is best to do your touch-up after this 8-week period has passed to determine the adjustments required to complete the appearance of your microbladed tattoo.

During healing

  • Microblading results normally last 1-3 years with annual refreshers to maintain your brows.

  • Once your tattoo has completely healed, you should apply sunscreen to the tattoo while exposed to the sun.

  • Glycolic acid, microdermabrasion, and chemical face peel products must be kept away from the tattooed area as continued use could lighten the pigment.

  • If you are having laser resurfacing or laser hair removal after your tattoo has healed, please inform the laser technician. Continue at your own discretion. Laser procedures may darken, lighten, or discolor the tattooed area.

  • Once the treated area is completely healed, any changes or additions that need to be made can be done at your touch up appointment.

  • Additional eyebrow makeup may still be required post procedure.

After healing

There are no implied or written guarantees if you do not take care of your brows post treatment.

If there is anything you don’t understand please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly to discuss.

kenzie@archrivalsbrowstudio.com

Feeling patchy post microblading?

Patchiness is considered normal, microblading may appear patchy during the healing process due to several factors:

  1. Scabbing and flaking: After the microblading procedure, the treated area will scab and flake as part of the natural healing process. This can cause the pigment to appear uneven or patchy as the scabs and flakes fall off.

  2. Uneven pigment absorption: The skin's healing process varies from person to person, and some areas may absorb more pigment than others. This can result in uneven color distribution and a patchy appearance until the pigment settles.

  3. Initial color saturation: Immediately after the microblading procedure, the pigment may appear darker and more intense than the desired result. As the skin heals and the pigment settles, the color will fade slightly, which can contribute to a patchy appearance during the healing phase.

  4. Natural shedding of skin cells: The skin naturally sheds dead skin cells over time, which can affect the appearance of the microbladed brows during the healing process. As the skin exfoliates, it may reveal patchy areas where the pigment did not fully adhere.

  5. Inconsistent aftercare: Proper aftercare is crucial for optimal healing and pigment retention after microblading. Failure to follow aftercare instructions, such as avoiding excessive moisture, picking at scabs, or exposure to sunlight, can disrupt the healing process and lead to patchiness.

It's important to remember that microblading is not a one step process, and the final results may not be fully apparent until after the healing period, which typically takes 4-6 weeks. During this time, it's normal for the brows to go through various stages of healing and for the pigment to settle into the skin. A touch up is recommended after this healing stage to perfect the areas that did not settle. If you have any questions regarding the healing please don’t hesitate to ask me.