Eyebrow Tattoo Preparation and Aftercare Guide | Christchurch
Proper preparation and aftercare are essential for achieving the best healed results from your eyebrow tattoo. Whether you are having soft shading, ombré brows, powder brows, nano hairstrokes, or a touch-up, preparing the skin correctly before your appointment helps the pigment settle more evenly and heal more beautifully.
Following the right eyebrow tattoo aftercare instructions after your procedure supports healthy healing, improves pigment retention, and helps your brows heal with a softer, more natural-looking result. This guide is suitable for new brow tattoo procedures, touch-ups, and correction work.
- Do not drink alcohol 12 hours before your tattoo
- Do not consume coffee/tea/herbal tea before your procedure
- Do not take any aspirin or ibuprofen for pain relief (this thins the blood)
What to avoid before your eyebrow tattoo appointment
To help your skin stay calm and reduce unnecessary bleeding during treatment, avoid the following before your brow tattoo appointment:
- Do not drink alcohol 12 hours before your tattoo
- Do not consume coffee/tea/herbal tea before your procedure
- Do not take any aspirin or ibuprofen for pain relief (this thins the blood)
It is also important to avoid anything that may increase bleeding before your eyebrow tattoo procedure. Anticoagulants and anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen can affect clotting, increase bleeding during treatment, and reduce pigment retention. This can make the skin more difficult to work on and may also make the procedure less comfortable.
How to prepare your skin for eyebrow tattoo
Healthy, calm, non-irritated skin gives the best cosmetic tattoo results. In the days leading up to your appointment, try to keep the brow area strong, hydrated, and free from irritation.
- Do not have Filler/Botox 2 weeks prior (can symmetry)
- Please, no makeup on the day of treatment
24 to 12 hours before your appointment
Gently exfoliate the brow area the day before your treatment, unless the skin feels irritated or sensitive. Removing loose dead skin cells can help the pigment implant more evenly and support a smoother healed result.
How to make your eyebrow tattoo appointment more comfortable
Eyebrow cosmetic tattoo is a very gentle procedure, but a few simple steps can help you feel even more comfortable on the day of treatment:
- Try to get a good night’s sleep before your appointment.
- Have a good breakfast on the day of treatment.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your skin well hydrated.
- If needed, Paracetamol may be taken for comfort. Aspirin and ibuprofen are best avoided before treatment, as they can increase bleeding.
Numbing for eyebrow tattoo
Permanent makeup is a very gentle and comfortable procedure, and many clients find it so relaxing that they even fall asleep during their appointment. For those who are more sensitive, professional topical anaesthetics can be used to keep the area comfortably numb throughout the treatment.
After the procedure, the area may feel slightly tender or look a little puffy. A cold compress may be applied for 10 to 15 seconds to help calm the skin and reduce swelling, but it should not be left on for too long. Paracetamol may be taken if needed; however, ibuprofen is best avoided for around 6 hours, as it can increase swelling.
On the day:
- Try to get a good night sleep before your treatment this will help you relax and make the treatment more comfortable.
- Have a good breakfast on the day of your treatment, this increases your stamina as treatments like Permanent Makeup burn a lot of calories.
- Drink lots of water – this allows the skin to accept the ink more easily, without thinning the blood
- Paracetamol reduces pain and helps reduce inflammation so if you’re worried take two before or after your treatment.
Numbing Products
Permanent makeup is a very gentle and comfortable procedure, and many clients find it so relaxing that they even fall asleep during their appointment. For those who are more sensitive, professional topical anaesthetics can be used to keep the area comfortably numb throughout the treatment.
After the procedure, the area may feel slightly tender or look a little puffy. A cold compress may be applied for 10–15 seconds to help calm the skin and reduce swelling, but it should not be left on for too long, as this may place additional stress on the skin. Paracetamol may be taken if needed; however, ibuprofen is best avoided for around 6 hours, as it can increase swelling.
Other things to consider:
If you would like to have someone with you for support during your appointment, please limit this to one friend or family member where possible.
I absolutely love animals, however as this is a medical-grade clinic, the treatment room must be maintained to a very high standard of cleanliness and hygiene. For this reason, pets are not permitted in the clinic. Service dogs and parrots are very welcome to accompany their owner.
Eyebrow tattoo aftercare: what to do after your procedure
The day of the treatment
Gently blot the area with a clean tissue every hour for the first 4 hours, or until oozing stops, to absorb excess lymph fluid. This helps minimise hard scabbing and supports a smoother healing process.
Additional Tips To Aid Fast Healing:
- Take Zinc supplements to aid healing or eat foods high in zinc such as red meat and Chicken.
- Use a fresh pillowcase.
- Let any scabbing or dry skin naturally exfoliate away. Picking can cause scarring or loss of pigment and patchy healed results.
- No facials, Botox, chemical treatments or microdermabrasion for 3 weeks after treatment.
- Avoid hot, sweaty exercise for two weeks.
- Avoid direct sun exposure or tanning for 3 weeks after the procedure.
- Avoid heavy sweating and long hot showers for the first 5 days.
- Avoid swimming and chlorinated hot tubs for the first three weeks.
- Avoid topical makeup including sunscreen on the area for the first two weeks.
What to expect:
In the first few days after treatment, your brows will usually look darker and more defined than the final healed result. This is completely normal. As the skin begins to heal, the colour softens, and in some cases the pigment may appear much lighter for a short period. This is often called the ghosting phase.
Do not worry if your brows look softer or patchier before the final result appears. In many cases, the healed colour becomes clearer again by around week 4 as the skin settles. Because everyone heals differently, your follow-up appointment is usually booked between 4 and 8 weeks after the first session.
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