Permanent Makeup Aftercare: 7 Tips for Perfect Healing
Permanent makeup — microbladed brows, lip shading, eyeliner — is only half done when you leave the chair. The healing days that follow decide how crisp, even and long-lasting your results turn out. Follow these seven rules.
The 7 aftercare rules
- 1. Keep it dry. Avoid soaking the area — no swimming, saunas or long hot showers — for the first 7–10 days.
- 2. Don't pick or scratch. Light flaking is normal as it heals; let it shed on its own or you risk patchy colour.
- 3. Moisturise as directed. Apply the thin layer of aftercare balm we give you — a little, not a lot.
- 4. Hands off. Keep fingers, makeup and pets away from the area to avoid infection.
- 5. Skip the gym briefly. Sweat can disturb pigment in the first few days.
- 6. Stay out of the sun. UV fades fresh pigment fast — wear a hat and add SPF once healed.
- 7. Be patient with the colour. It looks darkest at first, lightens as it heals, and settles over about 4–6 weeks.
The touch-up
A follow-up perfecting session, usually 6–8 weeks later, is a normal part of the process — it refines shape and evens out colour once everything has healed. Treat aftercare seriously and your results will stay beautiful far longer.
What healing looks like, day by day
Knowing the timeline keeps you calm when the colour shifts. Days 1–3: brows or lips look bold and feel slightly tender. Days 3–7: light flaking begins — this is normal, don't help it along. Days 7–14: colour can look surprisingly faint as the surface heals over the pigment. Weeks 4–6: the true, softer colour settles in. That mid-healing "did it fade?" moment is expected — the colour comes back.
How long does permanent makeup last?
Most permanent makeup lasts one to three years before a refresh, depending on the technique, your skin type and sun exposure. Oilier skin and lots of UV fade pigment faster. It's the lower-maintenance way to keep brows and lips beautifully defined without daily makeup.
When to book your touch-up
A perfecting session at 6–8 weeks is part of the process, not an extra — it refines shape and evens colour once healing is complete. After that, a refresh every 12–18 months keeps everything crisp. We'll schedule your touch-up before you leave so the window isn't missed.
Common questions
Does it hurt?
A numbing cream is used, so most people feel only mild scratching or pressure. Lips can feel a little more sensitive than brows.
Can I wear makeup while it heals?
Keep makeup off the treated area until it's fully healed — usually 7–10 days — to protect the pigment and avoid infection.
What if the colour looks too dark at first?
That's completely normal. Fresh pigment always looks darkest on day one and softens significantly as it heals.
Ready to book? Explore Permanent Makeup or book a free consultation and we'll tailor it to you.