Eyebrow tattoos have become a popular way to achieve perfectly shaped brows without the daily effort of filling them in. However, caring for your newly tattooed brows is a critical step in ensuring they heal properly and retain their colour.
Many people are unsure when and how to wash their face after the procedure, and this uncertainty can lead to mistakes that might affect the final result.
In this post, we’ll cover what you need to know about the healing process, when it’s safe to wash your face, and how to avoid common pitfalls that could interfere with your brow’s recovery.
Let’s get straight to the point
After getting an eyebrow tattoo, it’s essential to follow proper aftercare to ensure the best healing and long-lasting results. For the first 10 days, avoid getting your brows wet and use gentle face-washing techniques around the area.
During days 1-5, use a damp cloth to cleanse your face while keeping the brows dry. From day 10 onwards, light washing is allowed, but avoid scrubbing or using harsh cleansers on the brows.
Full healing takes 4-6 weeks. Be gentle, avoid hot water and steam, and use sunscreen to prevent fading. Consult your tattoo artist if any issues arise.
The Healing Process
Before answering the question of when you can wash your face, it’s essential to understand the healing process of an eyebrow tattoo. Healing can take up to four to six weeks, but the first ten days are the most critical. During this time, your skin will go through several phases, including scabbing, peeling, and regenerating.
Here’s what happens during each phase:
- Day 1: Your brows will look bold and may feel slightly tender or swollen.
- Day 2-5: Scabbing will begin. It’s important not to pick at these scabs.
- Day 6-10: The scabs will fall off naturally, and the skin underneath will appear lighter and flaky.
- Week 2-4: The new skin will heal fully, and the pigment will settle.
When Can You Wash Your Face After Getting An Eyebrow Tattoo?
Day 1: Immediate Aftercare
On the first day after your eyebrow tattoo procedure, you will need to take extra precautions to ensure that the area remains dry and clean. Do not wash your face as usual on this day. Instead, follow these steps:
- Wipe your brows every 30 minutes using a dry, clean tissue to remove any fluid.
- Avoid using any face wash or water directly on the tattooed area.
You may gently cleanse the rest of your face with a damp cloth, but be sure to steer clear of your eyebrows.
Days 2-5: Limited Face Washing
Between days 2 and 5, your tattooed brows will begin to form scabs, and it’s essential to continue keeping them dry. During this phase:
- Use a cold, damp cotton pad to gently wipe around your face, avoiding direct contact with the brow area.
- If necessary, you may use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser to wash the lower half of your face, but always ensure the eyebrows remain dry.
Avoid steamy showers and limit activities that make you sweat. If your brows do get wet by accident, pat them dry immediately with a clean tissue.
Day 6-10: Gentle Cleaning And Avoiding Moisture
As you enter the second week of healing, the scabs on your brows may start to fall off, revealing new skin underneath. While it may seem tempting to resume regular face washing, it’s still essential to avoid water and cleansers directly on the brows. Here’s how to manage:
- Continue washing your face cautiously, ensuring no water touches the brow area.
- If your skin becomes dry or flaky, use a damp cloth to clean your face, avoiding any friction near the brows.
This phase can be uncomfortable due to itching or flakiness, but avoid rubbing or scratching the brow area, as this could remove the pigment prematurely.
When Is It Safe To Wash Your Face Fully?
Day 10 Onwards: Light Washing Allowed
By day 10, the most delicate part of the healing process is over, and light washing of your face is allowed. However, you should still avoid directly scrubbing the brow area or using harsh cleansers. Instead:
- Use a gentle, fragrance-free face wash.
- Pat your face dry rather than rubbing, especially around your brows.
- Avoid excessive water pressure on your face, especially in the shower.
You can now start to introduce lukewarm water to your cleansing routine, but always be cautious not to soak the brows. If you want to wash your entire face thoroughly, it’s best to dab water on your brows lightly, using a tissue to dry them.
Important Care Tips For Washing Your Face After An Eyebrow Tattoo
To ensure a successful healing process, here are some essential tips to keep in mind when washing your face after getting an eyebrow tattoo:
- Use Lukewarm Water: Avoid hot water, as it can irritate the tattooed skin and cause the pigment to fade prematurely.
- No Harsh Scrubs or Exfoliants: Stay away from any exfoliating products for the first month. Scrubs and products with active ingredients like retinol or glycolic acid can speed up fading.
- Be Gentle: Use a soft, damp cloth or your fingertips to cleanse your face without scrubbing. Any rough treatment could disturb the scabs or newly healed skin.
- Pat Dry: Always pat dry your face with a clean towel instead of rubbing, especially near your brows.
What To Do If Your Brows Get Wet?
Accidentally getting your brows wet during the healing period can happen, and while it’s best to avoid it, here’s what you should do if it occurs:
- Immediately pat the area dry with a clean, dry tissue. Avoid rubbing or wiping vigorously.
- If it’s just a small splash, blot the area gently to absorb the moisture.
- Monitor the area over the next few days to ensure no signs of infection or pigment loss occur. If you notice redness, swelling, or oozing, consult your artist or a medical professional.
Aftercare Products For Healing
During the healing period, using the right aftercare products is just as important as keeping your brows dry. Some recommended products include:
- Bepanthen ointment: This can be applied in small amounts if the brow area feels too dry or itchy.
- Fragrance-free gentle cleansers: Ensure that your facial cleansers are free from harsh chemicals or fragrances that might irritate your skin.
Avoid using heavy creams, oils, or any non-recommended products on your brows during the healing process, as these can clog pores or interfere with the pigment retention.
Long-Term Care For Your Eyebrow Tattoo
Once your brows have fully healed—around 4-6 weeks—you can return to your normal skincare routine, but with a few modifications:
- Use sunscreen: Always apply sunscreen to your brows when you’re outside. UV rays can cause the tattoo to fade over time.
- Avoid chemical peels on the brow area: Procedures like chemical peels or laser treatments can break down the pigment and cause premature fading.
- Schedule touch-ups: Depending on your skin type, you may need touch-up sessions every 1-2 years to maintain the colour and shape of your brows.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When washing your face after an eyebrow tattoo, it’s easy to make mistakes that could impact your healing. Here are some common mistakes to steer clear of:
- Getting the brows too wet too soon: Keep water off your brows for at least the first seven days.
- Using hot water: This can irritate the skin and interfere with healing.
- Exposing the brows to steam: Saunas, hot showers, and steam rooms should be avoided until your brows are fully healed.
- Scrubbing or picking at the brows: Picking at scabs can lead to infection or patchy brows, so it’s important to let them heal naturally.
Conclusion
Caring for your eyebrow tattoo during the healing process is essential to ensure beautiful, long-lasting results. While it may be tempting to return to your usual face-washing routine, patience and gentle care are essential during the first two weeks.
Avoid getting your brows wet, refrain from using harsh products, and be cautious when washing the rest of your face. By following these guidelines and allowing your brows the time they need to heal properly, you’ll be rewarded with stunning, well-shaped eyebrows that last.
And, as always, don’t hesitate to consult your tattoo artist if you have any concerns during the healing process.
FAQs About Eyebrow Tattoo Aftercare
How Long After Eyebrow Tattoo Can I Wash My Face?
EYEBROW AFTERCARE. Do not let any water, lotion, soap, or makeup touch your eyebrow area during the first 7 days after your procedure. Please wash your face carefully around the eyebrow without getting water on the treated area. During the shower, keep your face away from the shower head or take a bath.
Can You Wash Eyebrows After Tattoo?
You will be given an aftercare kit with cotton pads/water wipes and aftercare ointment. As soon as you arrive home, please wash your eyebrows gently with cotton pads and water. Wipe gently back and forth over the brows to remove any fluid (lymph) build up.
Can I Get My Eyebrow Tattoo Wet?
Water. Getting the Eyebrows wet during the healing/scabbing process is not recommended. Water will loosen and lighten the pigment and will not allow the microblading to retain in the skin.
How Do You Shower Without Getting Your Eyebrows Wet?
The best way to keep eyebrows dry in the shower is by using a plastic sun visor or a peaked cap. Waterproof peaked caps work well. If you have a peaked cap that isn’t waterproof, you can use a shower cap to protect everything but the peak. Alternatively, you can use goggles/a snorkeling mask.
When Can I Wash My Hair After Microblading Eyebrows?
Washing your hair without getting your eyebrows wet can be very tricky. Therefore, you need to avoid washing your hair for at least 3 days after the treatment, and after that be extremely careful not to get your brows wet.