The Complete PMU Aftercare Guide: Day-by-Day Instructions

Why Aftercare Is Non-Negotiable

Here’s something I tell every client: Your results are 50% my skill and 50% your aftercare.

I can create the most beautiful strokes in the world, but if you don’t follow proper aftercare, you could end up with patchy color, premature fading, or (worst case) an infection.

The good news? Aftercare isn’t complicated. You just need to follow the rules for about two weeks, and then you’re free.

Let me walk you through exactly what to expect and what to do at each stage of healing.

The Day-by-Day Healing Timeline

Day 0 (Appointment Day)

What’s happening: You just got your brows done. They look darker and more defined than the final result will be. This is normal - the pigment oxidizes with air and looks more intense initially.

What you’ll notice:

• Color looks bold (sometimes startlingly so)
• Slight redness and tenderness
• The area may feel warm

What to do:

• Blot gently every 30 minutes for the first 4-6 hours. Use a clean tissue or the wipes I provide. This removes lymph fluid that would otherwise dry on top of your brows and create a thick crust.
• Don’t touch your brows with unwashed hands
• Skip all makeup on your face for today
• Avoid strenuous activity - no gym, no sweating

Days 1-2

What’s happening: Your skin starts its healing response. Lymph fluid production slows, and light scabbing begins to form.

What you’ll notice:

• Color still looks dark and bold
• May feel slightly itchy (resist the urge to scratch!)
• Brows might feel a bit tight

What to do:

• Wash gently once in the morning and once at night. Use a fragrance-free, gentle cleanser (I recommend Cetaphil or something similar). Wet your fingertips, work up a tiny bit of lather, and gently tap it over the brows. Rinse with lukewarm water by splashing (don’t rub). Pat dry with a clean paper towel.
• Apply aftercare ointment. After washing and when brows are dry, apply a thin layer of the ointment I provide. A rice-grain sized amount per brow is plenty. More is NOT better.
• Keep sleeping on your back if possible

Days 3-4

What’s happening: The initial healing layer forms. You’ll see the beginnings of peeling.

What you’ll notice:

• Color may start looking uneven
• Scabbing/flaking begins
• Itching may increase (this is normal!)

What to do:

• Continue gentle washing morning and night
• Continue thin layer of ointment
• DO NOT PICK. I cannot stress this enough. Picking off scabs will pull out pigment and create patches.
• Let any flaking happen naturally

Days 5-7

What’s happening: Peak peeling phase. This is when most clients freak out - don’t.

What you’ll notice:

• Significant flaking and peeling
• Color may look dramatically lighter in some areas
• Brows may look patchy or uneven
• Strokes may seem to “disappear”

What to do:

• Trust the process. The color is still there - it’s just hiding under healing skin.
• Continue washing and ointment routine
• Still no picking. Let those flakes fall off on their own.
• Stay patient

Important: This “ghosting” phase where brows look light or patchy is completely normal. The pigment is still in your skin - it’s just covered by new skin cells forming. It will come back.

Days 7-10

What’s happening: Most of the peeling is done. Color starts to resurface.

What you’ll notice:

• Flaking subsides
• Color begins coming back, but lighter than Day 1
• Brows look more natural
• Tenderness is mostly gone

What to do:

• You can reduce ointment to once daily
• Still avoid heavy sweating, swimming, saunas
• Continue to be gentle with the area

Days 10-14

What’s happening: Surface healing is complete. Deeper healing continues.

What you’ll notice:

• Color is settling in
• Brows feel normal to touch
• Any remaining patchiness is becoming less noticeable

What to do:

• You can stop the ointment
• Still avoid swimming, saunas, and intense sun exposure
• You can start wearing face makeup again (but be gentle around brows)

Weeks 3-6

What’s happening: Deep tissue healing. This is when the true color emerges.

What you’ll notice:

• Color continues to settle and even out
• Some strokes may have faded more than others (this is why we do a touch-up)
• Final result becomes visible around week 4-6

What to do:

• Normal face washing is fine
• Apply SPF to brows when going outside
• Schedule your touch-up appointment for the 6-8 week mark

What’s Normal vs. What’s Concerning

Totally Normal (Don’t Panic)

• Dark color right after: It will lighten 30-50%
• Itching: Means healing is happening
• Flaking/peeling: Expected and necessary
• Color looking patchy during healing: It evens out
• Strokes “disappearing” around day 5-7: They’re still there, just hidden
• Final color lighter than fresh: This is the actual result
• Some strokes lighter than others: This is what the touch-up is for

Contact Me If You See

• Excessive redness spreading beyond the brow area
• Pus or green/yellow discharge (not clear lymph fluid)
• Fever
• Severe swelling that doesn’t subside
• Signs of allergic reaction (rash beyond the brow area, difficulty breathing)

These are rare, but they need attention. When in doubt, send me a photo.

The Complete “Avoid” List

During the first 10-14 days, steer clear of:

Water & Heat

• Long showers with steam
• Swimming (pools, ocean, lakes - all of them)
• Hot tubs and saunas
• Steam rooms
• Letting shower water hit your face directly

Sweat

• Intense workouts
• Hot yoga
• Running
• Anything that makes you drip sweat

Products

• Makeup on or around the brows
• Retinol, glycolic acid, or any exfoliating acids on your face
• Vitamin C serums on your face
• Anti-aging products
• Acne treatments

Other

• Picking, scratching, or rubbing
• Sleeping on your face
• Tanning beds
• Direct, prolonged sun exposure
• Botox (wait until fully healed)
• Facials or peels

Common Mistakes I See

After 3,500+ clients, I’ve seen it all. Here are the mistakes that hurt results the most:

1. “I Thought More Ointment Would Help”

The mistake: Slathering on thick layers of aftercare ointment

Why it’s bad: Too much ointment suffocates the skin and prevents proper healing. It can also cause the pigment to “sweat out.”

The fix: Rice-grain sized amount per brow, applied in a thin layer. Your brows should look slightly moisturized, not greasy.

2. “I Couldn’t Resist Picking That Flake”

The mistake: Peeling off loose scabs

Why it’s bad: You pull out pigment with the scab, creating patchy spots

The fix: Let it fall off naturally, even if it’s hanging by a thread and driving you crazy

3. “I Didn’t Think One Workout Would Matter”

The mistake: Going to the gym, doing hot yoga, or having intense sweaty sessions

Why it’s bad: Salt from sweat can push pigment out before it sets. The heat and moisture create an environment for bacteria.

The fix: Take a full 10-14 day break from intense exercise. Light walking is fine.

4. “I Got Them Wet by Accident”

The mistake: Letting water hit the brows, taking a bath, getting caught in rain

Why it’s bad: Water can dilute the pigment before it’s set. Dirty water (pools, lakes) introduces bacteria.

The fix: When showering, face away from the water. If they get wet, gently pat dry immediately with a clean tissue.

5. “I Forgot About Sunscreen”

The mistake: Going in the sun without SPF on healed brows

Why it’s bad: UV rays break down pigment faster than anything else

The fix: Once healed, apply SPF 30+ to your brows every time you go outside. This is forever, not just during healing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I wash my face normally?

You can fully wash your face (including brows) after about 10-14 days when the surface is healed. During healing, just be gentle around the brow area.

Can I get my brows wet in the shower?

For the first 10 days, try to avoid it. Face away from the shower head. If water does hit them, gently pat dry immediately - don’t rub.

When can I work out again?

Light walks are fine from day 1. Avoid anything that makes you sweat heavily for 10-14 days. After that, ease back in but wipe sweat away from brows during exercise.

What if I accidentally picked a scab?

Don’t panic. Apply a little ointment to the area and stop picking. It may result in a lighter spot there, but that’s exactly what the touch-up is for.

How long until I see the final color?

The true final color emerges around 4-6 weeks after your appointment. Everything before that is still healing.

Why do my brows look so dark right after?

Oxidation! The pigment darkens when exposed to air. It will lighten 30-50% as it heals.

When should I schedule my touch-up?

Book it for 6-8 weeks after your initial appointment. Your brows need to be fully healed so I can see what actually needs touching up.

What aftercare products do you recommend?

I provide a specific ointment with your appointment. If you run out, Aquaphor (unscented) or a specialized PMU aftercare balm works. Avoid anything with fragrance or active ingredients.

Can I use my normal skincare routine?

Avoid retinol, acids (glycolic, salicylic, lactic), and exfoliating products on your entire face for 10-14 days. These can migrate to the brow area and affect healing.

After Healing: Long-Term Brow Care

Once you’re past the 4-6 week healing period, here’s how to keep your brows looking great for years:

Always Use SPF

This is the #1 thing you can do to extend the life of your microblading. UV exposure fades pigment faster than anything else. Apply SPF 30+ to your brows whenever you go outside.

Be Careful with Skincare

Retinol, chemical peels, and exfoliating acids will speed up fading. If you use these products, try to avoid the brow area or expect to need more frequent touch-ups.

Schedule Annual Touch-Ups

Most clients come back once a year for a refresh. This keeps the strokes crisp and the color vibrant. It’s a quicker appointment than the initial session and usually runs $200-350.

Watch for Fading Signs

When you notice the color becoming significantly lighter or strokes looking less defined, it’s time for a refresh. Don’t wait until they’re completely gone.

You’ve Got This

Aftercare sounds like a lot, but it really comes down to a few simple rules:

1. Keep them clean and dry
2. Apply thin layers of ointment
3. Don’t pick
4. Avoid sweat, sun, and swimming for 2 weeks
5. Be patient during the ugly duckling phase

Follow these, and your brows will heal beautifully.

If you have questions during healing, contact me anytime - I respond to every message. Include a photo if you’re worried about something.

And remember: the touch-up is part of the process. Even if something looks a bit off during healing, that’s exactly what the second appointment is for.

Want to know more about what to expect? Check out my day-by-day guide to the microblading process or read about what microblading actually feels like.