AFTERCARE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PROCEDURE

Immediately after your cosmetic eyebrow tattoo procedure, you will feel tingling and tenderness, and probably a bit of swelling in the tattoo area. This is because the numbing cream/anesthetic used on your brows before applying the tattoo, will start to wear off and the newly exposed wound will begin the process of healing immediately.

Also, it is highly likely that you will experience some skin sensitivity, redness and swelling for about 1-2 days. You might consider an over the counter pain reliever to help you get through. During the initial healing period, make sure you give the eyebrows approximately two (2) weeks to heal and set, and limit any physical activity (like swimming or saunas) or exposure to direct sunlight that might cause premature fading. All tattoos carry the inherent risk of infection and/or allergic reaction, if pain or tenderness persists for longer than a few days, consult your doctor immediately.

​

HOW TO CLEAN

You will be provided with an aftercare ointment sample. You can buy and use any moisturize ointment. It is recommended that you use the ointment at all times during this healing process until scabbing is complete (approximately 2 weeks). To clean, simply take a q-tip and with it dry, wipe off the existing ointment that are on your brows, dampen another q-tip and with just a little bit of water and gently wipe clean. Pat dry with a towel or tissue and reapply the ointment. This is done twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. For the first couple of days, be gentle cleaning the eyebrows making sure you're not scrubbing it. Cleaning with just a little bit of water during the first week will suffice, after that, gentle cleanser or antibacterial soap to lightly clean will be okay to use. On average, 4-5 days after the initial appointment, your new eyebrow skin will start to harden and itch. On the 4th day, clean it off and let your eyebrows air out for about 2 hours. Once that time is up, more thorough cleaning can be done as far as cleaning a little better in between the hairs, but avoid scrubbing the brows, then continue with the ointment until it is completely scabbed and peeled off.

​

AFTER THE SCABBING IS COMPLETE

Once the scabbing has completely peeled off, you can discontinue using the ointment. if you are unsure of when the scabbing is complete, use the ointment for 2 weeks after the procedure. You can return to your daily skincare routine with some exceptions. Avoid scrubbing or exfoliating properties in your facial cleanser on your brows, (around your eyebrows are okay). Be sure to use sunscreen on your brows if your daily moisturizer does not contain SPF. If your daily moisturizer contains retinol, anti-aging, skin brightening or lightening properties, please avoid use on your brows, around your eyebrows will be okay.

​

SWELLING AND/OR BRUISING: 

Swelling, redness, skin sensitivity, and some minor bruising are normal side effects to the eyebrow tattoo procedure but they shouldn’t last longer than a day or two. How easily a person swells and bruises depends on factors such as their age, skin type, and circulation. Swelling and bruising may disperse into a larger surface areas of the face, like the forehead.  On average, cosmetic tattoo eyebrows are least affected by swelling or bruising (compared to eyeliner, and lips) and should have very minimal issue if at all.  If swelling or bruising persists for more than a few days, it may be a sign of infection, so be sure to contact your doctor right away.

​

APPEARANCE:

Be aware that the brand new ink from a fresh tattoo will most likely appear extremely dark and much thicker than expected, while others might seem exceedingly bright (ie; blondes and redheads), so don’t be surprised. Usually after about a week or so, the area and top layer starts to scab and slough off in certain places. This process is called shedding.  Comparatively, these sections may appear extremely light next to the non-shedded segments. Don’t worry, this pigment will eventually soften and settle into the appropriate shade when shedding is complete and pigment resurfaces. In total, it should take about 3-4 weeks for your new eyebrow tattoo to shed completely and the pigment to resurface to its true color.

​

DURING THE FIRST 2 WEEKS OF HEALING:

The days following the procedure, as your skin heals, it may feel itchy. This is normal part of the process and a good sign that you are healing properly. You might feel tempted to soothe the eyebrows with cold products. Although they won’t necessarily minimize any swelling, a cold compress (NOT frozen), or face cloths (not wet), lightly placed onto the eyebrows will help relieve the discomfort. Only do this for a day or so as repeated attempts to cool down the already traumatized tissue could actually increase the possibility of skin cell damage and infection. Never apply pressure to your new tattoo,   and be very careful not to rub, scratch, scrub, or exfoliate the new eyebrow tattoo area as this can cause premature pigment loss and/or scabbing.

​

AVERAGE HEALING TIME AND PROCESS: 

 Average healing time will vary from person to person and will depend on several physiological factors that include age, skin type, circulation, hormonal cycles, and how easily and/or severely you swell and bruise.  Generally, as with any type of skin trauma, older looser skin tends to take a bit longer than younger skin to heal.  Other factors that may affect healing time include diet, excessive physical activity, exposure to direct sunlight, and any medications you might be taking.

​

TOUCH-UP PROCEDURE:

After approximately two (2) weeks, your eyebrows will have mostly healed during the “shedding” or “scabbing” process. As a result, the initial intensity and thickness will fade, and the desired color shade will start appearing after the first 3 weeks. At about the 6-8 week mark, you should be scheduled to do your “touch up” procedure especially if you would like to make any changes to the shape of your brow, or fill in any areas needing correction or modification. During this “touch up” procedure, the eyebrow tattoo artist will go over your eyebrows again, exactly repeating the initial session. This repetition helps the tattoo last longer and encourages the ink to embed more permanently into the skin.

For the next few weeks after your “touch up,” the aftercare from the initial appointment will be the same so be very careful not to wash your brows directly, and be very gentle with them. Rubbing, scratching, or scrubbing them can, in fact, facilitate premature ink removal and cause scarring. If you love your new brow shape, don’t touch them until they have healed and set!

Lastly, your follow up appointment will be free of charge. Depending on how well you follow these aftercare recommendations, and how fast the semi-permanent ink fades, you shouldn’t have to make another appointment (to color sharpen) for another 1-2 years (depending on color). If an additional touch up is required, please discuss this with me. 

 

DISCLAIMER: 

Any operations such as botox, facial laser treatments or chemical peels will affect the pigment from the procedure and the overall appearance. Please notify your physician prior to performing those services.