Aftercare & Healing Guide
Proper aftercare is essential for smooth healing, pigment retention, and beautiful healed results.
Normal healing may include dryness, flaking, temporary fading, and peeling. This guide will help you understand every stage of the healing process.
First 24 Hours
The first 24 hours are an important part of the healing process. Mild redness, dryness, sensitivity, or lymph fluid are completely normal during this stage.
NOTE — a small amount of clear or yellowish fluid (lymph/plasma) is completely normal after the procedure.
- During the first 3 hours, gently wipe the area using the cleansing solution provided by the studio.
- Later in the day, when washing your face, cleanse gently around the area and avoid rubbing.
- Light contact with water is normal, but avoid direct shower pressure on the face for the first 7 days. If the treated area becomes wet, gently pat it dry with a clean tissue.
Important Healing Guidelines
Protect the Area
- Do not pick at scabs or peeling skin.
- Avoid scratching or rubbing the treated area.
- Avoid sleeping face down or putting pressure on the treated area while sleeping, especially during the first 5-7 days
- Avoid direct sun exposure while healing.
Avoid During Healing
- Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms for at least 10 days.
- Do not fully submerge the treated area in water.
- Avoid using Polysporin, Vaseline, lanolin-based products, or heavy healing ointments unless recommended.
Healing Timeline
Healing stages can vary slightly depending on skin type and procedure
Days 4–6
Brows
During this stage, the treated brow area may begin to feel dry and form light scabbing. Mild itching and flaking are also common as the skin continues to heal.
You will be provided with a special aftercare ointment in the studio. If the brows feel very dry, you may apply a very small amount of the ointment to lightly moisturize the area and reduce discomfort.
Apply the ointment sparingly — once per day is usually sufficient, and no more than twice per day if needed. Avoid over-applying, as too much product may affect the healing process.
Try to keep the brow area dry during this stage and avoid getting the brows wet.
Do not pick, scratch, or remove any scabs or peeling skin, as this can affect pigment retention and the final healed result. Try to avoid touching the brow area as much as possible during this stage.
Lips
During this stage, try to keep the lip area as dry as possible and avoid licking or touching your lips. Be very gentle when brushing your teeth, and it is recommended to use a straw for drinks to minimize contact with the lips.
The lips will usually fully exfoliate within about 5 days. During this time, they may appear much darker than the final healed color and may feel very dry or tight.
Keep your lips consistently moisturized with the aftercare ointment provided to you in the studio. Apply it regularly to prevent excessive dryness and support proper healing.
Do not pick or peel the lips, as this can affect pigment retention and the final result.
Eyeliner
During this stage, the eyelid area may feel slightly dry as the skin continues to heal.
Try to keep the eyelids dry and avoid getting the area wet. Do not touch, rub, or pick at the treated area.
Do not apply any ointments or creams to the eyeliner during this time, as ointments can sometimes cause unwanted swelling in the delicate eye area.
Allow the skin to heal naturally without interference to ensure the best pigment retention and final result.
Days 6–12
Brows
During this stage, the scabs will begin to flake off, revealing a much lighter and softer-looking tattoo underneath.
At this point the brows may appear foggy, faded, or uneven, and some hair strokes may seem like they have disappeared. This is completely normal. The sharpness and color will gradually return as the remaining layer of dead skin naturally sheds over the next couple of weeks.
Avoid touching, scratching, or picking at the brows during this phase. Allow the scabs to fall off naturally to ensure proper pigment retention.
Once the skin is fully healed and smooth, you can slowly return to your normal skincare routine.
Lips
By around day 5–6, the lips usually finish their main peeling phase. After exfoliation, the lip color may appear very soft, pale, or faded. This is a normal stage of the healing process and nothing to be concerned about.
At this time, the skin is still healing internally and the pigment is stabilizing beneath the surface. Over the following weeks, the color will gradually return and settle into the lips more evenly.
Continue to keep the lips moisturized with the aftercare ointment provided in the studio.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner typically finishes peeling around day 6–8. Once the skin exfoliates, the pigment usually becomes visible right away because the eyelid skin is very thin.
In the case of a lash enhancement, the color may appear very soft or slightly transparent along the lash line during this stage. This is completely normal.
The final result will continue to settle as the skin heals internally. Any adjustments or areas that need strengthening can be perfected during the touch-up appointment.
Days 12–30
At this stage, no special precautions are usually required, and you can generally return to your normal routine.
The treated area may still be covered by a very thin layer of healing skin, which can make the pigment appear slightly softer or less defined. As the skin continues to renew itself over the next couple of weeks, this layer will gradually shed and the result will become clearer.
While the surface of the skin may already look healed, the deeper layers are still completing the healing process. The pigment will continue to settle and stabilize in the skin during this time.