Healing Process & Aftercare Guide
Everything you need to know about caring for your permanent makeup treatment and what to expect during the healing process.
General Aftercare Guidelines
Proper aftercare is crucial for achieving the best results from your permanent makeup treatment. While specific instructions vary by treatment type, these general principles apply to most PMU procedures.
Important Note
Always follow the specific aftercare instructions provided by Dr Abi at your appointment. These guidelines are general—your personalised instructions take priority.
Universal Aftercare Rules
Do's
- Keep the treated area clean and dry
- Apply any provided healing balm as instructed
- Sleep on your back when possible
- Use clean pillowcases
- Stay hydrated and eat well
- Attend your scheduled touch-up appointment
- Contact us if you have concerns
Don'ts
- Pick, scratch, or peel scabbing skin
- Apply makeup to the treated area (until healed)
- Expose to direct sunlight
- Go swimming or use saunas/steam rooms
- Use harsh cleansers or exfoliants
- Touch the area with dirty hands
- Exercise heavily for 48-72 hours
Pro Tips for Optimal Healing
- Be patient: Results aren't final until 4-6 weeks post-treatment. Trust the process!
- Don't panic: Colour will appear much darker initially and very light during healing—this is normal.
- Stay consistent: Follow aftercare routine even when it seems healed—internal healing takes longer.
- Take photos: Document your healing journey to see the amazing transformation!
Microblading Aftercare
Microblading requires careful aftercare to ensure proper pigment retention and beautiful healed results. The healing process takes 4-6 weeks, during which your brows will go through several visible changes.
Healing Timeline
Initial Healing
Brows appear darker and bolder than final result. This is normal—the colour will soften significantly. Minor redness and tenderness is expected. Keep dry and apply healing balm as instructed.
Scabbing Phase
Light scabbing and flaking begins. Brows may feel itchy—DO NOT scratch or pick! The colour may look patchy as scabs shed unevenly. Continue keeping area clean and moisturised.
Colour Softening
Scabbing completes, brows may appear very light or almost disappeared—don't worry! This is the "ghosting phase" and is temporary. The colour is settling beneath the surface.
True Colour Emerges
The true healed colour gradually appears as the skin fully regenerates. By week 6, you'll see your beautiful final results. Touch-up appointment perfects any areas needing more pigment.
Microblading Do's and Don'ts
Do's
- Gently blot excess lymph fluid for first 2 hours
- Clean brows with provided cleanser 2x daily
- Apply thin layer of healing balm after cleaning
- Sleep on your back or side (not face down)
- Use SPF 30+ once healed to prolong results
- Keep hair away from brows during healing
Don'ts
- Get brows wet for first 7-10 days (except cleaning)
- Apply makeup or skincare to brow area
- Pick or scratch scabs (causes pigment loss)
- Use retinol, AHAs, or exfoliants near brows
- Expose to sun, tanning beds, or chlorine
- Book facials or laser treatments for 4 weeks
Pigment Retention Warning
Picking scabs is the #1 cause of patchy results. Even if it's tempting, let scabs fall off naturally. Picking can pull out pigment and cause uneven healing.
Lip Colour Aftercare
Lip colour treatment requires specific aftercare due to the delicate nature of lip tissue. Expect more noticeable swelling compared to other PMU treatments, but don't worry—it subsides quickly.
Healing Timeline
Swelling & Intensity
Lips appear very swollen and colour is extremely vibrant/dark—this is temporary! Swelling peaks around day 2. Keep lips moisturised with provided healing balm. Avoid spicy, salty, or acidic foods.
Peeling Phase
Lips begin to peel and flake heavily. Colour appears patchy and uneven—completely normal. DO NOT peel or pick! Let skin shed naturally. Continue applying balm frequently.
Ghosting Phase
Peeling completes, lips may appear very light or colour seems "gone"—this is the ghosting phase. The pigment is settling below the surface. Lips return to feeling normal.
True Colour Returns
The beautiful healed colour gradually emerges. Full healing takes up to 6 weeks. Touch-up appointment at 6-8 weeks perfects intensity and fills any areas that need more pigment.
Lip Colour Do's and Don'ts
Do's
- Apply healing balm frequently (every 1-2 hours)
- Use a straw for drinking
- Eat carefully to avoid disturbing lips
- Brush teeth carefully, avoiding lip area
- Take cold sore prevention meds if prescribed
- Ice lips (wrapped) for swelling if needed
Don'ts
- Let lips dry out (keep moisturised!)
- Pick, peel, or bite peeling skin
- Eat spicy, acidic, or very hot foods
- Kiss or have prolonged contact with lips
- Apply lipstick or lip products for 2 weeks
- Expose to sun without SPF lip balm
Cold Sore Warning
If you have a history of cold sores, the lip procedure can trigger an outbreak. Take antiviral medication as prescribed by your doctor before and after treatment.
Lash Lift Aftercare
Lash lift aftercare is simpler than PMU treatments since no pigment is involved. The main goal is protecting the lift while the bonds set permanently.
First 24-48 Hours (Critical Period)
Do's
- Keep lashes completely dry
- Sleep on your back if possible
- Use oil-free products around eyes
- Gently brush lashes with clean spoolie
- Apply lash serum if recommended
Don'ts
- Get lashes wet (no showers on face)
- Use steam, sauna, or swimming
- Rub or touch your eyes
- Apply mascara or eye makeup
- Use oil-based products near eyes
Ongoing Care (After 48 Hours)
After the initial 48 hours, you can return to your normal routine with a few considerations to maximise the longevity of your lift:
- You can wear mascara—avoid waterproof formulas that require rubbing to remove
- Use oil-free makeup remover to protect the lift
- Brush lashes daily with a clean spoolie to maintain shape
- Consider a lash serum to keep lashes healthy and strong
Beauty Mark Aftercare
Beauty mark aftercare is simple due to the small treatment area. Healing is typically complete within a week.
Healing Timeline
Fresh Treatment
Beauty mark appears darker than final result. Minor redness around the area is normal. Keep clean and apply healing balm if provided.
Light Scabbing
A small scab may form over the beauty mark. Let it fall off naturally—do not pick! Colour may look patchy briefly.
Healed Result
Healing is essentially complete. The beauty mark has settled to its true colour. Apply SPF to maintain colour longevity.
Simple Aftercare Rules
Do's
- Keep the area clean and dry
- Apply healing balm if provided
- Use SPF once healed
- Let any scab fall off naturally
Don'ts
- Pick or scratch the area
- Apply makeup for 3-5 days
- Expose to direct sun initially
- Use harsh skincare on the area
When to Contact Us
While the healing process involves some expected symptoms, certain signs may indicate a need for professional attention. Here's how to tell the difference:
Normal vs. Concerning Symptoms
Normal (Don't Worry)
- Redness for first 1-3 days
- Swelling (especially lips)
- Itching during healing
- Scabbing and flaking
- Colour appearing too dark initially
- Colour appearing too light during healing
- Patchy appearance while scabs shed
- Minor tenderness
Contact Us If You Notice
- Increasing redness after day 3
- Swelling that worsens instead of improves
- Pus or yellow/green discharge
- Severe pain or throbbing
- Fever or flu-like symptoms
- Allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing)
- Blistering (for lips—may indicate cold sore)
- Anything that feels "wrong"
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If:
You experience severe allergic reaction symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe swelling of face/throat, or widespread hives. Go to your nearest emergency room or call emergency services.
Questions or Concerns?
We're here to support you throughout your healing journey. Don't hesitate to reach out if something doesn't seem right or you simply have questions.
Ready for Your Treatment?
Now that you know what to expect, book your consultation to begin your transformation journey.