aftercare
aftercare
I’m watching you… ;)
Like anything worth having in life, great brows take (some) care. Don’t worry, I’ll do the heavy lifting - but aftercare is all YOU. You got this.
the healing process
The first 4 hours
Directly after your appointment, blot your eyebrows with a dry cotton round water every 10 minutes for the first hour, and after that, every 2 hours (this is really important).
day of appointment - before bed
Wash your brows using lukewarm water with a gentle cleanser (Cetaphil or Cerave). Rinse with water. Dry the brows by patting with a cotton pad or a paper towel, wash clothes are too rough. Then apply a grain of rice amount of aftercare gel, by dabbing it on. Cleanser and gel will be provided.
Day one to five
Starting the day after your appointment, wash the tattooed area 3-4 times a day, for 7 days OR until they start flaking, whenever that may be.
Use lukewarm water with a gentle cleanser (Cetaphil or Cerave) and wash in the direction of the hair growth.
Pat dry with a paper towel or cotton round, and apply a rice grain amount of the aftercare provided to the brows every time they are washed.
Keep the area clean and allow the skin to breathe for the best retention. Be careful not to apply too much of the aftercare gel.
These washing instructions are not just a suggestion, your brows will not heal properly without proper aftercare. Brows are 50% artists correct technique and 50% client care. I BELIEVE IN YOU <3
what do I do when
my brows start flaking?
Leave them alone completely. No washing, No aftercare ointment, don’t touch them, don’t pick at them, and let them naturally flake off. I know it can be tempting to pick at them, but that will cause excess fading.
What if my brows don’t flake?
If it has been a full 7 days since your brow session, you may stop washing and stop applying gel. There is nothing wrong with the brows not flaking, in fact, it’s the best case scenario (just very rare).
what you should avoid
until brows are finished flaking
Sweating of any kind. Brow tattoo removal is done using saline, and saline is what our sweat is made out of, so you just remove your tattoo by sweating during the first 7 days.
Getting your eyebrows wet outside of washing instructions. Yes, you can shower, but face away from the shower and crack the curtain if you like hot showers.
Tanning bed use at any point after having your brows tattooed will result in discoloration, and premature fading
UVA/UVB exposure will pose risk or discoloration. When brows are done flaking apply spf daily (I like Beauty of Joseon spf) Do not plan a vacation two weeks prior to or 4 weeks after.
DO NOT PICK at any possible scabbing or flaking. You will pull out the ink permanently. If you accidentally brush off a flake its okay! just no picking.
Wash hands prior to washing brows, and wash your pillowcase to lower risk of infection.
Use a silk pillow case IF you are a side or stomach sleeper
Avoid all Retinol ANYWHERE above your eyes, forever (I know, I’m sorry). Retinol speeds up cell turnover, so will fade your brows whether you are in the healing process or years after you’ve had your brows done.
Do not wear your hair over your brows, the natural oils from your hair will cause premature fading during the healing process.
touch ups
Touch ups are typically done 6-8 weeks following the initial session, and most clients will need a touch up, which is completely normal.
After the first touch up, you are welcome to come back for a touch up whenever you feel you need to. This might be a year later, or even 3-4 years later. If you have any questions about what type of touch up to book, please reach out via email olivebranchbrows@gmail.com