How Long Does Permanent Makeup Take to Heal?
Permanent Makeup is a journey, and the before & afters you see on Instagram are just the beginning. Before you get to those stunning natural healed results, you’ve got to go through the healing process which takes time and can be a bit of a rollercoaster. To help you through the process we’ve broken down exactly what you can expect in the weeks following your treatment.
During any Permanent Makeup or microblading treatment we must break the skin in order to implant pigment, and as such the skin will go through a process of healing once the treatment is done. But before we get to the healing process, let's break down what actually happens to the skin during a Permanent Makeup treatment.
1. What happens to the skin DURING Permanent Makeup?
Our skin is made up of three layers, the top layer is the epidermis, next is the dermis, and beneath that is the fatty layer of tissue called the subcutaneous layer. In order for the Permanent Makeup to last, and for our results to look natural, we must deposit our pigment into the epidermis in what’s known as the ‘sweet spot’. Depositing pigment too superficially will result in poor retention, and depositing the pigment too deep will result in more trauma to the skin, darker, cooler colours and a lack of clarity in hairstrokes once healed.
To deposit the pigment we enlist the use of needles, these needles come in all sorts of configurations from single needles to groups of 5, 7 or even 9. But regardless of the configuration they all do essentially the same thing - pick up pigment, puncture the skin and deposit the pigment.
Check out the picture below to see the Lip Blush healing stages.
2. What happens to the skin AFTER Permanent Makeup?
Once the skin has been broken the body automatically enters its wound healing process in response. This process is complex and for Permanent Makeup treatments it typically lasts between 4-8 weeks. Without getting too science-y, the 4 main stages of the healing process are:
Hemostasis - when blood begins to coagulate at the injury site to prevent further bleeding. This stage can last a few days.
Inflammation - blood flow to the injury site is increased and bacteria is destroyed. This stage will last a few days and swelling, redness, soreness and heat are common.
Proliferation - beneath the surface the skin is now working to replace the damaged tissue with new tissue. This stage lasts up to 2 weeks.
Maturation - the new tissues are remodeled to regain maximum strength. This stage can last 21 days (up to 2 years depending on the wound).
Potential factors that could negatively affect how you heal.
Age, health and lifestyle can all play a part in how fast your body heals. Typically those who are older or of ill health will take longer to heal, this includes individuals who have conditions such as Diabetes or are taking anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive medication. This is one of the reasons why a thorough medical health check is essential before we begin any treatments as it allows us to identify potential issues and ensure the safest treatment for you. Smoking, diet and excessive alcohol consumption can also have a negative effect on your body's ability to heal (that doesn’t mean you can’t get your microblading done, it’s just something that has the potential to impact healing).
3. Permanent Makeup aftercare products and advice
Of course some of the factors above we cannot control, but what we can control is the aftercare, and knowing how to take care of your permanent makeup will have a bit impact on your final healed results. . The advice that I give and the products I recommend will all directly affect the success of the healing process as they help to minimise the risk of infection and actually promote healing. The work that I do in the clinic is only half the job, once you walk out that door it’s up to you. How you care for your new Permanent Makeup has a huge impact on the quality of your healed results!
As the artist, I can give you all the tools and information you need to aid the wound healing process but if you, the client, do not follow my instructions then you are putting yourself at serious risk of a poor healed result, infection and even scarring.
Aftercare Products
All of my Permanent Makeup clients will receive a pillow pack of MicroBalm which is a healing salve created by Membrane Post Care Products Inc. MicroBalm is specifically formulated to help aid the healing process for tattoos, Permanent Makeup and Scalp Micropigmentation, but can be used to help heal a variety of other skin conditions. Since switching to this aftercare product I’ve noticed a huge difference in the quality of my healed results, and feedback from my clients on this product is fantastic.
MicroBalm is packed full of natural ingredients such as arnica, chlorophyll, calendula, beeswax and hemp oil that help to reduce inflammation, soothe the skin, reduce any itching that can occur during healing and provides a breathable barrier to protect the wound whilst healing. Alongside other natural, organic ingredients. It’s an antibacterial, antimicrobial and antioxidant power formula that helps deliver fantastic results.
Can I use vaseline on my lips during the lip blush healing process?
No, firstly the vaseline could be contaminated with dirt or bacteria which when applied to your fresh tattoo could cause an infection. Secondly vaseline is occlusive which means it will prevent air from getting to your lip tattoo - this can delay the healing process.
4. What to expect during the healing process.
Whether it’s Microblading, Ombre Brows, Lip Blush, the healing process can be a difficult time if you don’t know what to expect. To help ease you through the process we’ve detailed what you can expect below:
Day 1: Your new Permanent Makeup is looking beautiful immediately after your appointment. Some redness and swelling may be experienced.
Day 2: The pigment will look darker than it did yesterday and will continue to get a little darker throughout the day
Day 3-6: The treated area will begin to lightly scab over. The skin will feel tight, dry and itchy during this phase.
Day 7- 14: The scabbing will fall off. The area will look patchy at this stage. It is important to NOT pick or pull any scabs. Pigment may be very light in colour and not visible.
Day 14-28: The skin will continue to heal, the pigment will gradually become more visible. It is normal if some areas are lighter than others. This is why we have the top up, so that we can reinforce any areas that didn’t hold so well at your first appointment.
Day 35: After 5 weeks you will be ready for your top up where we can perfect your new Ombre Brows, Permanent Eyeliner, or Lip Blush
Note: It’s important to remember that not everyone will experience the same healing process. Some may heal very quickly with little to no scabbing, others may take longer to heal or experience more scabbing.
5. What NOT to do during the healing process?
Your new permanent makeup is essentially an open wound, so it's vital that you keep the area clean and care for it appropriately. Here are some things we advise you avoid during the healing process:
Avoid makeup, face creams or other products touching the area for 2 weeks
Avoid sun beds and sun tanning
Avoid getting the area wet for 2 weeks (inc. swimming, sauna & steam room)
Do not pick or pull at any scabs
Do not use anything on the area other than the recommended aftercare
You should avoid tinting your brows/lashes for at least 2 weeks
For eyeliner we advise avoiding contacts for at least 4 days, and avoid false lashes for at least 2 weeks
For lip blush you should be cautious when eating hot, spicy or salty foods
When can I exercise after PMU?
We advise waiting a minimum of 5 days before doing any strenuous exercise that would involve heavy sweating. During the first 5 days gentle exercise such as light yoga or a slow walk is fine. The reason for this is that heavy exercise and sweating can irritate the permanent makeup. Moisture and heat create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, and we want to do everything we can to avoid the risk of infection. Also sweat contains salt which can have a negative effect on the pigment
6. The takeaways
Permanent Makeup is a journey, healing takes time and the process itself can be full of ups and downs, but knowing what to expect will make it so much easier! Be cautious of how you are caring for your new ombre brows or lip blush in the weeks following your appointment, as the quality of your healed results can be impacted hugely by how well (or not well) you look after them. Whichever artist you choose, listen to their advice and most importantly follow it - we all have our own tips and tricks to help you get the best healing experience possible. And most importantly, be patient.. It takes weeks to see the final results so trust the process and know that beautiful results are waiting for you!
Share this post
