Permanent Eyebrow Aftercare
It is normal for your eyebrows to appear very dark after the procedure. They will fade 10-50% in the first 1-3 weeks following. Individuals with darker skin or oily skin can have brows that sometimes heal less defined. Red heads, blondes and fair-skin types can experience more swelling, redness and crusting and will sometimes fade more. They can look more powdered and there’s always the possibility of no pigment retention.
If you’ve had your brows done previously done by someone else, there are no guarantees to the retention of the pigment. It can fade sooner and may not take at all.
Keeping the area moist with Vaseline during the first 7-14 days or until the epithelial skin has flaked off will help the tattooed area hold color and heal evenly. It will take a full five weeks for your skin to heal completely. As your eyebrows heal, it is normal for the area to lighten or to have some areas fade more than others. This will be addressed at your touch-up appointment.
When you leave the office, the pigment is intact. How your body heals is out of our control. This is 100% your body’s job. Even when following the aftercare, fading, blurring or poor retention can still happen.
Do not touch the tattooed area with your fingers. This increases your risk of infection.
If you should experience swelling, an ice pack may be applied using a thin protective barrier such as a paper towel. Icing is most effective in the first 24 hours following the procedure. Sleeping with your head slightly elevated can also reduce any residual swelling.
Do not apply makeup on the tattooed area until it is completely healed. If needed, purchase new makeup to avoid contamination or bacterial infection.
Do not scrub or pick at the tattooed area. Doing so can cause the pigment underneath to be pulled out. Allow the epithelial skin to flake off by itself.
Do not use makeup remover or creams and avoid pools and hot tubs for two weeks.
With freshly washed hands, you may gently cleanse your eyebrows with tepid water. Avoid cleansers, soap and washcloths. When showering, avoid having the water directly hit your brows. You may use the brow shield provided in your aftercare kit.
If you experience itching, you may also use After-Inked Tattoo moisturizer
Permanent makeup is an art and not a science. Everyone’s results will vary and you may still need to use pencil or powder.
Please notify Stephanie Ganske, RN immediately should you experience any of the following symptoms: redness around your eyebrows, drainage or pain that becomes increasingly worse.
After your eyebrows have completely healed, it's important to use a sunscreen on them with an SPF of 30 or greater to help minimize fading.
Avoid applying Retin A®, Refiisa®, Tretinoin, Retinol, Alpha Hydroxy or Glycolic Acid products directly to or near the tattooed area after they are healed. These products can lighten the tattoo.
Remember to schedule a touch up appointment within 2-3 months to avoid paying an additional touch-up fee. One touch-up is included in the initial fee.
After the initial touch-up, it is recommended that you come in every one to three years for a touch-up to maintain the color. Permanent makeup will appear more solid or powdered as your skin ages and scar tissue forms over time. At some point, future procedures will not be an option.
Please note that if you go elsewhere for any touch-ups after Stephanie Ganske has tattooed them, she will no longer do any future procedures.
Please call Stephanie with ANY questions or concerns. 515.210.8303