Aftercare Protocol for Permanent Eyeliner Procedures

Proper aftercare is essential for ensuring the best healing and results following a permanent eyeliner procedure. Below are the steps you should follow to ensure your eyeliner heals properly and retains its beauty.

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Day 1: Immediate Aftercare

1. Keep the Area Clean:

   • Gently clean the treated area using a damp cotton pad with distilled water to remove any excess lymphatic fluid or pigment residue.

   • Do NOT use makeup removers, oils, or harsh cleansers, as they can irritate the area.

2. Apply Aftercare Ointment:

   • Apply a thin layer of the ointment recommended by your technician (such as Aquaphor or a specialized tattoo aftercare ointment) to the treated area. Do not apply too much, as it can clog pores.

3. Avoid Touching the Area:

   • Refrain from touching, rubbing, or scratching the treated area to prevent introducing bacteria and causing irritation or infection

4. • If at ANY time after the treatment you experience a combination of the following symptoms: PAIN, DISCHARGE, INCREASED TISSUE TEMPERATURE, EXCESSIVE REDNESS or RED LINES, and/or SWELLING, this could be a sign of infection and you should seek medical attention immediately

   • Avoid contact with animals, gardening, and recreational activities

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Days 2-7: Healing and Maintenance

1. Clean the Area Daily:

   • Continue gently cleaning the treated area twice a day with  distilled water to keep it free from crust and buildup.

2. Apply Ointment as Needed:

   • Apply a thin layer of aftercare ointment 1-2 times a day to keep the area moisturized and prevent dryness.

   • Avoid over-applying, as excess ointment can lead to clogged pores.

3. Avoid Makeup:

   • Do not apply any eye makeup, including mascara or eyeliner, to the treated area during the healing process. This prevents infection and irritation.

4. Avoid Water Exposure:

   • Keep your eyes away from water (swimming, hot tubs, saunas) for at least 7-10 days. Water exposure can interfere with healing and cause pigment loss.

5. Avoid Direct Sun Exposure:

   • Do not expose the treated area to direct sunlight, tanning beds, or any form of UV light until the healing is complete. UV exposure can cause fading and increase the risk of scarring.

   • If you must go out in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses to protect the area.

6. No Picking or Scratching:

   • As the skin heals, scabbing or flaking may occur. Do not pick or scratch the scabs, as this can cause pigment loss, scarring, or infection.

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Days 8-14: Healing Continues

1. Light Scabbing or Flaking:

   • It's common for the area to start flaking or peeling during this time. Allow the scabs to naturally shed, and avoid any forceful removal.

2. Apply SPF Protection:

   • Once the skin has healed, it is important to protect the area with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher when you go outside to prevent further fading of the pigment.

3. Keep Area Moisturized:

   • Continue applying a small amount of aftercare ointment if necessary, especially if you experience dryness or tightness around the treated area.

 

 

Weeks 2-4: Final Stages of Healing

1. Continued Moisture and Care:

   • If needed, continue to moisturize the area until it's fully healed. After this period, you can switch to a gentle moisturizer for maintenance.

2. Avoid Excessive Rubbing:

   • As the area finishes healing, avoid rubbing or applying excessive pressure around the eyes to prevent any irritation.

3. Permanent Results:

   • The final results may not be fully visible until about 4-6 weeks after the procedure, once the pigment settles into the skin. During this time, the color may appear darker or lighter as the skin continues to heal.

 

 

Additional Aftercare Tips:

• Avoid Sleeping on Your Face: During the initial healing process, try not to sleep directly on your face to prevent any unnecessary pressure or rubbing on the treated area.

• Avoid Excessive Sweating: For the first 1-10 days, avoid intense physical activity that causes heavy sweating, as sweat can irritate the healing skin.

• Touch-Up Appointment: It’s important to schedule a follow-up touch-up session, typically 6-8 weeks after the initial procedure, to perfect the shape, color, or density of your permanent eyeliner. This ensures the best results and color retention.

 

 

Things to Avoid During Healing:

1. Do not use products with Retinol, AHA, or Vitamin C directly on the eyelid area, as these can cause the pigment to fade prematurely.

2. No facials or laser treatments for 4-6 weeks after the procedure.

3. Do not apply mascara until the area is fully healed to avoid irritation.

 

 

Healing Timeline:

• First 24 Hours: Swelling and redness are normal. The area may feel tender, and you might notice some residual pigment or discharge.

• Days 2-7: Light scabbing, flaking, and dryness may occur. Do not pick at the scabs.

• Days 7-14: The pigment may appear darker or more intense before it starts to fade into its final color.

• Weeks 2-4: The treated area continues to heal and settle, and you may notice some fading during this period.

• After 6 Weeks: The final healed results will become apparent. If necessary, you can schedule a touch-up appointment to enhance the shape or color.

• No Retinols, AHA’s, exfoliating treatments, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, botox and any other strong treatments for 6-8 weeks after your procedure.  

• Smoking WILL cause the pigment to fade prematurely and anesthetics will not last as long.

• DO NOT USE growth enhancement products such as Latisse, Revitabrow, Grandelash, one month prior and after treatment has fully healed as it may shift your color or cause hyperpigmentation. 

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IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:

 

WHILE YOUR SKIN HEALS, BE PREPARED FOR THE COLOR TO INTENSITY AND TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER, SHARPER, BRIGHTER, OR DARKER than what is expected for the final outcome. This is a normal and expected result of the application and healing process. The healing process will take a number of days to complete, depending on how quickly the outer layer of your skin exfoliates and new skin regrows to take its place.

• The color CAN AND WILL fade/soften anywhere from 10% to 50% or more

• Some residual swelling is normal for ALL procedures.  Swelling and healing time is individualized. It can be minimal on clients but every client is different. Blanching (whiteness around the treatment area) and redness is to be expected and can vary from client to client. It can last a few hours to a few days.

• The area may appear uneven, dry, itchy, tender, red & irritated. This is all 100% normal. DO NOT PICK.  These symptoms will dissipate each day and vary on an individual basis.

• Picking can lift color and pigment from the treated area resulting in unevenness and blank spots. Let the brows flake off naturally.

• Your brows may not exfoliate evenly. Please do not pick at the scabs. During the exfoliation process your color may look weak, orangey, pinkish, or grey. This will not be your final result. It takes a full 6 weeks or more for your true color to surface. Please be patient and wait until you are fully healed before you critique your eyebrows. Any refinements can be addressed at a follow up visit.

• Healing is specific to each client. It is important to realize that you will need a color boost every 2 years to maintain its fresh natural appearance. Fading WILL happen after each procedure. We do not have control over your bodies healing process.

• After about a week, the skin will be in its healing stage and may appear white or milky. This will give the pigment a cloudy appearance. 

• Everyone’s genetics, physiological makeup, and lifestyle will affect the treatment in various unique ways. You may need to powder and/or pencil your eyebrows even after the healed results.  This is an enhancement to your natural brows.... not a permanent one.

• If you are out in the sun a lot, have oily skin, use anti-aging creams, 

Retin-A /retinol products, acidic cleansers, natural elements, regular chemical peels, or exercise frequently, your permanent makeup WILL fade prematurely.  The better you take care of the treated area and follow the provided aftercare, the longer it will last.

• Remember, no two sides of the face are the same or perfectly symmetrical. While trying to obtain perfect symmetry is our goal, note that nothing is PERFECT.

• When you leave the studio your shaded eyebrows and/or your hair strokes are intact. Remember your technician will do their best to help you heal properly but lifestyle, genetics, age, and certain environmental factors can/will contribute to the retention of your eyebrows.

• Follow up visits should be done within 6-8 weeks after your initial treatment