When Can I Wash My Eyebrows After Microblading?

Getting your eyebrows microbladed is one of the best ways to save time each morning, enhancing the natural shape and fullness of your brows. But once you’ve had the procedure done, the real work begins—microblading aftercare Melbourne is essential for achieving perfect, long-lasting results during the healing process.

One of the most common questions I get from my clients after the procedure is, “When can I wash my eyebrows?”

I completely get the concern. You’ve just invested in your eyebrows, and the last thing you want is to mess up the results during the healing process.

When Can I Wash My Eyebrows After Microblading?

This is the burning question for many after their microblading procedure, and the answer isn’t a one-size-fits-all. The timing depends largely on your artist’s recommendation, the method of healing you’re following, and how your skin reacts.

• Day 1: Keep your eyebrows dry and free from any water. After the procedure, you may experience some lymph fluid oozing from the treated area. Gently blot with a clean tissue or cotton pad to absorb the fluid.
• Day 2: Start washing gently, but only if your artist recommends it. For some, Day 2 may be too soon, so always follow your artist’s advice carefully.
• Day 3 to Day 7: Washing your eyebrows twice a day with a mild, non-scented cleanser is generally safe, but be sure to use gentle fingertips and avoid scrubbing.
• After Day 7: By this time, scabbing should be minimal, and you can safely continue cleaning and applying your aftercare ointment. This is when wet healing really kicks in, helping to maintain the colour and ensure healthy, even healing.

The Microblading Healing Process: Key Steps and Guidelines

After your procedure, your skin will need time to heal, and this is where proper aftercare makes all the difference. How you care for your eyebrows in the first few days, weeks, and months will directly impact the quality and longevity of your results.

The First 24 Hours: What to Expect

The first 24 hours after your microblading appointment are crucial. When I first started out as a cosmetic tattoo artist, I used to be surprised by how many clients asked me if they could wash their brows immediately after the procedure. 

The answer is always no. In those first few hours, you need to keep the area dry.

When you leave the salon, you may notice some lymph fluid and excess pigment. Gently blot the area with a clean tissue or cotton pad every 15-30 minutes to avoid fluid buildup and excessive scabbing. 

I always remind my clients: “The first 2-3 hours are all about patience—let your skin settle, and keep it dry.”

Day 2 to Day 7: The Critical Healing Phase

Now, here’s the big question: When can I wash my eyebrows?

As a general rule, you can start gently cleaning your brows from Day 2. That said, some artists recommend a later start, up to Day 7, but the consensus has shifted in favour of wet healing.

Here’s the key to cleaning during this phase:

• Wash Twice a Day: Cleanse your eyebrows gently, twice a day, typically in the morning and night.
• Use a Mild Cleanser: Choose something gentle—Cetaphil, Dial soap, or baby shampoo are my top picks. Avoid harsh chemicals or products with exfoliating ingredients.
• Clean with Care: Use your clean fingertips and apply a gentle, circular motion for about 10-15 seconds. No scrubbing—this isn’t a workout for your brows!
• Pat Dry: After rinsing, gently pat your brows dry with a clean tissue or paper towel. Never rub. Remember, gentle care is key.

During this stage, I always stress to my clients that gentle is the name of the game. It’s easy to think that you should scrub the area to make sure it’s clean, but overdoing it can cause irritation or even pigment loss.

Dry Healing vs. Wet Healing: Which Aftercare Approach Is Right for You?

Aftercare can be a bit of a grey area because everyone has different advice, often depending on what method they were trained in. Let’s break down the two main approaches to healing: dry healing and wet healing.

The Dry Healing Method

Some artists swear by dry healing. This approach involves keeping your eyebrows completely dry for the first several days, with no water, ointment, or moisture, except for an antibiotic ointment.

I’ve had some clients who’ve opted for this, and while the results can be great, there are a few downsides. Dry healing can cause heavier scabbing, which might result in more pigment loss. Additionally, this method can sometimes increase the risk of infection if not carefully managed.

Here’s the thing—dry healing works best for some people, but it’s not a method I usually recommend unless the client is specifically trained in it. I’ve found that with my clients, wet healing seems to be the safest route.

The Wet Healing Method

Wet healing is the more popular method, and it’s the one I recommend for most clients. It involves gentle washing of the brows starting from Day 2 (or as soon as your artist advises) with sterile water or a mild, unscented cleanser.

The benefits of wet healing are clear: less scabbing and more even pigment retention. You also have the added benefit of keeping your brows clean and free from bacteria throughout the healing process.

Many artists these days recommend wet healing because it offers better results—with fewer scabs, the colour stays more consistent. Personally, I find that it speeds up the healing process while ensuring more consistent results.

The Most Common Post-Microblading Questions: When to Wash and How Often

When Can I Wash My Eyebrows After Microblading?

Here’s the timeline I stick to and recommend for my clients:

• First 24 hours: Keep your brows dry. Blot gently, but no washing.
• Day 2 to Day 7: Start washing twice a day. Be gentle, and always use a mild cleanser.
• Days 7 to 14: By now, scabbing should be minimal, and you can reduce the amount of ointment you use.

If you’re wondering whether it’s okay to wash your brows right after the procedure, the answer is no. During the first 24 hours, your brows are still very vulnerable, and washing them could disrupt the healing process.

How to Safely Clean Your Eyebrows After Microblading

I can’t stress this enough—gentle care is key. Here’s how you should clean your brows:

• Use clean fingers—no sponges or cloths.
• Use a mild cleanser (unscented, antibacterial).
• Pat dry with a clean towel—don’t rub. It’s all about being soft and careful.

The Role of Aftercare in Pigment Retention and Healing

The way you care for your brows after microblading can significantly impact how well the pigment stays in place.

Proper Aftercare for Long-Lasting Results

I’ve had many clients come back for their touch-ups with vibrant, long-lasting results because they followed aftercare instructions to the letter. The key is consistency.

• Hydration: Keep the skin hydrated with a thin layer of ointment (but don’t overdo it).
• Avoid excessive sweating: For the first 10 days, try to limit activities that make you sweat excessively.

How Not Washing Can Affect Your Eyebrows

Not washing properly during the first week can result in bacteria buildup, leading to infection. I’ve seen clients develop unwanted scabbing or uneven colour retention because they neglected to properly cleanse their brows.

How to Properly Wash Your Eyebrows After Microblading Without Damaging Them

When it comes to washing your eyebrows after microblading, gentleness is key. Too much pressure or using the wrong products can harm the healing process, so it’s essential to understand the best way to clean your brows without affecting the tattooed pigment.

Step-by-Step Guide to Washing Your Eyebrows:

1. Use Clean Hands: Always wash your hands before touching your eyebrows to prevent any bacteria from transferring to the healing skin.
2. Choose the Right Cleanser: Select a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, such as baby shampoo or Cetaphil, which won’t irritate the skin or interfere with healing.
3. Gently Cleanse:
   
   
   • Use your fingertips, not a cloth or sponge, to apply the cleanser.
   • Lightly rub in a circular motion for 10-15 seconds.
4. Rinse Thoroughly: After cleaning, make sure to rinse the area well, ensuring no soap residue remains, as this can cause irritation.
5. Pat Dry: Using a clean tissue or paper towel, gently pat the area dry. Avoid rubbing to prevent irritation.
6. Apply Ointment: After drying, apply a thin layer of the recommended healing balm (such as Aquaphor or A&D ointment) to nourish the area and protect it.

Things to Avoid When Washing Your Eyebrows:

• Scrubbing or harsh wiping: This can disturb the pigment and affect healing.
• Using exfoliants or cleansers with acids (like glycolic or salicylic acid), as these can fade the pigment prematurely.
• Hot water: Avoid washing your brows with hot water, as it can open the pores and cause the pigment to fade.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure your brows heal properly while maintaining the quality of your microblading results.

Why It’s Crucial to Wait Before Washing Your Eyebrows After Microblading

It might seem like an obvious step, but waiting before you start washing your microbladed eyebrows is one of the most critical aspects of aftercare. 

The healing process can be delicate, and washing too soon can cause scabbing, pigment loss, and potentially infection. Here’s why it’s essential to follow the correct timing.

The Healing Stages:

First 24 Hours:

• This period is the most crucial. Your skin is still adjusting to the new pigment, and excessive moisture can cause the tattoo to spread or fade.
• Keeping the area dry helps avoid creating a scabby, uneven texture as the skin heals.

Day 2-7:

• The first few days are when your body starts to shed the excess lymph fluid and begins healing the microbladed area.
• Waiting to wash until the skin has formed a protective barrier allows the pigment to settle correctly.

Post Day 7:

• By now, the scabbing should start to naturally fall off. Washing during this phase helps remove any dead skin and product buildup, while also ensuring the area remains clean and free from bacteria.

Why Waiting Matters:

• Preventing Infection: Washing too soon can introduce bacteria into the fresh tattoo, increasing the risk of infection.
• Pigment Retention: Not giving your skin enough time to form a protective layer means you risk losing pigment as the skin heals.
• Avoiding Uneven Healing: Premature washing can cause uneven scabbing, which may result in patchy eyebrows or uneven colour.

Patience is essential in the first few days after microblading. Trust your artist’s instructions and give your eyebrows time to heal before washing.

What Happens If You Wash Your Eyebrows Too Soon? Potential Risks and How to Avoid Them

One of the biggest concerns after getting microblading done is the fear of ruining your eyebrows by washing them too early.

While it’s tempting to clean the area, especially as you start to feel the initial healing, rushing the process can have unintended consequences. Here’s what can happen if you wash your eyebrows too soon and how to avoid these pitfalls.

Potential Risks of Washing Too Soon:

Risk	What Happens	How to Avoid
Scabbing	Washing too early can cause over-scabbing which affects the colour retention.	Wait until your artist advises to start washing, typically Day 2 or 3.
Pigment Loss	Excess moisture too soon can cause pigment to fade prematurely.	Follow a wet healing method only once your artist recommends it.
Infection	The healing skin is vulnerable in the first few days, and washing too soon introduces bacteria.	Keep your brows dry in the first 24 hours; gently cleanse once healed.
Uneven Results	Scrubbing or washing aggressively before the skin is ready can lead to patchy healing.	Always use a light touch and avoid scrubbing your brows.
Delayed Healing	Washing too early or harshly can cause irritation and extend the healing time.	Use mild soap and avoid rubbing the brows during cleansing.

Tips for Avoiding These Risks:

• Avoid water exposure in the first 24-48 hours unless otherwise instructed by your artist.
• Start gentle washing only once you’re past the initial stages, following the guidelines given to you.
• Be cautious of rubbing or scrubbing, as it can cause the skin to react badly, leading to potential pigment loss.

While it’s tempting to rush the healing process, taking the time to follow the right aftercare steps will ensure your eyebrows heal beautifully and maintain their natural look.

Potential Complications and How to Avoid Them

Microblading is generally safe, but there are a few risks involved if proper aftercare isn’t followed.

Signs of Infection or Improper Healing

If you experience swelling, redness, or pain beyond the usual discomfort, you may be dealing with an infection. Always reach out to your artist if you’re unsure.

Here are a few signs of infection:

• Increased swelling or redness.
• Pus-like discharge.
• Pain that worsens after the first few days.

Common Mistakes in Microblading Aftercare

• Over-washing or scrubbing the brows can cause damage.
• Using harsh products like exfoliants or acids on the brows.
• Picking at scabs can lead to pigment loss and scarring.

Proper aftercare ensures that your eyebrows heal beautifully, with maximum pigment retention. The most important thing is to follow your artist’s advice, use gentle products, and stay patient through the healing process.

Trust your artist’s specific aftercare instructions—they’ve tailored them based on your skin type, their experience, and the procedure. Communicate openly if you have concerns, and always use a gentle touch when washing your brows.