Permanent eyebrow makeup is no minor procedure, and before going ahead, you need to know exactly what to expect. How does a session work, and above all, how does the healing process go? We tell you everything. 

Permanent makeup is back in the beauty spotlight. Refined to perfection, it offers beauty addicts the chance to enjoy a reimagined, almost instant look that lasts! It's the (almost) miracle solution for those who want precise, expertly applied makeup without having to sit in front of the mirror every morning.

Permanent eyebrow makeup is at the top of the list. It's no secret that eyebrows have been the number one beauty concern in recent years. We want them full, intense, neat and well-defined, a trend that usually requires the blade of microblading or the needle of microshading. Both aesthetic procedures are carried out in a beauty salon (usually over two sessions) and require no hospitalization, but do need careful monitoring in the days following the procedure, as healing is required. 

What is permanent eyebrow makeup? 

It's simple: permanent eyebrow makeup (whatever the technique) involves inserting pigments under the skin's surface layer to shape the eyebrows as naturally as possible. What sets this technique apart from tattooing is the type of pigments used, as well as how they are placed under the skin. With microblading, a small scalpel coated with pigment is used to place the pigments under the skin by hatching it, creating a hair-by-hair effect. Microshading uses a needle to stamp the pigment under the skin's surface, giving the eyebrows a powdered look. These highly effective techniques, which produce more or less similar results, are designed to enhance the eyebrows and allow those who have them done to say goodbye to eyebrow pencils for at least two years. However, as you may have guessed, permanent makeup is a procedure that affects the skin and leaves it exposed, which means it needs time to heal.

How long does it take to heal after a permanent makeup session?

Although it depends on everyone's skin type and cell renewal, permanent eyebrow makeup takes around two weeks to heal. After the session, the skin is exposed and the area is very red, which normally lasts for 24 hours. Following the redness and over the first few days, scabs may form, which is the main stage of healing. The skin will regenerate while forming scabs that protect the area during the healing process. These scabs can potentially cause itching or even minor bleeding. It is important to follow every step of the aftercare to ensure the skin under the eyebrows heals properly and completely.

How to care for your eyebrows during healing? 

The healing period after permanent eyebrow makeup is crucial. Not only to ensure a beautiful, successful result, but above all to maintain the health of the skin and avoid any complications that could prove dangerous! 

Having the right supplies 

Every step of the aftercare is normally explained in detail by the specialist aesthetician who performs the permanent makeup. If they forget to remind you, don't hesitate to ask them for a prescription. Generally, you should have the following supplies on hand: 

• A healing cream or petroleum jelly.
• An antiseptic.
• Sterile compresses.
• Sunscreen. 
• Numbing cream if the pain is too intense (once again, it depends on everyone's sensitivity).

Step-by-step 

After the permanent makeup session, avoid getting the eyebrow area wet or applying makeup for at least 48 hours. If you want to be extra safe, we recommend avoiding makeup for the first week and always gently cleansing your face with wet wipes. Every evening, starting from the very first night, make sure to disinfect the area using a sterile compress and an antiseptic treatment, then apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly or healing cream. This should be repeated for fifteen days, until the scabs have completely fallen off and the skin no longer feels tight. During this period, the sun is off-limits! In the morning before going out, don't forget to apply sunscreen to your face (even in winter) and protect your eyebrows as much as possible with a cap or hat. Finally, after fifteen days, you can start returning to your normal routine, splashing water on your face at the pool or beach, spending a little more time in the sun (but always with sunscreen), and using your beauty products again, including your eyebrow serum. This is even recommended to help over-plucked eyebrows grow back effectively over permanent makeup.

What side effects can occur after permanent makeup? 

Because permanent makeup affects the skin, side effects may occur after the procedure. In some cases, healing may be poor. In fact, if you are prone to slow or poor healing, you should avoid permanent makeup altogether. In some cases, bleeding may also occur. It is normally not serious, but if it persists or is heavy, you should seek medical advice without delay.