If you’ve booked your first microblading session, you may be wondering how long after microblading can I shower and is it safe? Technicians just can’t agree, everyone has different opinions on the matter!
The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. As it turns out, you can shower after microblading, but you can’t just dunk your head underwater!
Wondering why? Well, after microblading your brows, your technician will tell you to heal them in one of two ways.
Microblading is like tattooing your brows, so you have to heal them and follow proper aftercare. One way is called dry healing.
Dry healing is what it sounds like, keeping your brows dry. Your brow artist will advise you to stay away from moisture completely, although some may give you an antibacterial cream to keep the area sterile.
The other method is called wet healing. Your technician will tell you to gently clean your eyebrows once or twice a day. You’ll use water and a little antibacterial soap to do so.
Even if you’re told to clean your eyebrows, you should stay away from direct water. You might have heard that water can affect the ink underneath your skin. The good news is that this isn’t true.
Microblading creates small cuts to place the ink underneath your skin. After your session, the skin starts closing up over the wounds. You can’t wash away the color, no matter how much water you place over it.
You should still stay away from direct water though! Don’t put your head right under the shower, take a dip in the pool, or swim in the ocean. If you do, you’ll risk a nasty infection, which can then make your color patchy.
So, you can shower after microblading! Just be sure to only wash your body, and keep your head away from the showerhead. After your treatment, you’ll also need to avoid washing your hair for at least 3 days.
Washing your hair can be tricky, as it’s difficult to avoid your brows getting wet. But there are a few tricks you can try. You can find products like patches and shields that can protect your brows from water.
Some people find success using a bit of Vaseline to block out the water. You can even try wearing a sun visor or snorkeling goggles! This might look ridiculous, but your brows will be safe from any water.
Most technicians will tell you to keep your brows dry for the first 2 – 3 hours. Afterward, depending on your brow artist, you’ll be told whether to keep the area dry, or to clean the area each day.
If you’re told to keep the area dry, simply stay away from water. If you’re advised to clean your brows, you may wonder how to do so without showering or washing your face. Here’s how.
After the first few hours, you might see some fluid that looks like sweat on your brows. This is called lymph fluid. It’s made up of water, salt, and protein, which helps to clean and heal the cuts.
You’ll want to remove this fluid so you don’t get a thick scab forming over your brows. If the scab is too thick, it can stick to the pigment. When it eventually falls off, it can take off the pigment too, and your brows will look faint.
Remove the lymph by applying clean water to a cotton pad or q-tip. Don’t soak, only use a bit of water. The pad should be a little damp, not wet. Gently dab to clean the excess fluid from your brows. Do this 2 – 3 times on the first day.
Wash your brows over the next few days, but don’t splash them with water! Stick to gentle movements to clean them, and only use a bit of antibacterial soap and water. Don’t rub your brows, dab them instead. Lightly pat with a clean tissue to dry.
If you’re given an ointment for your brows, only use a thin layer so you don’t block the wound. You can use this cream to keep your brows moisturized, protecting them from bad bacteria. Before you shower, use a bit on your eyebrows to shield them from water.
As before, if your artist told you to keep your brows dry, just keep away from water. Don’t wash your face, take baths or step out in the rain.
However, remember that your brows have cuts and wounds over them. These need to be healed properly, which means that you should clean them. If you don’t, a thick crust can form. A few scabs here and there are fine, but if you don’t dab away the lymph and dry your brows, you could cause extra scabbing.
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How do I wash my hair after microblading my brows?
So you just got microblading done and now your artist/technician is giving you an aftercare sheet to take home. You read it over and review the list of “No do’s” and “Don’ts,” and finally come to: Do not wash, wet, or get your brows wet until your touch-up appointment. What does this mean for you? You probably have questions like the following. Can you wash your hair while the microblading hair healing process is going? Will washing your hair after microblading affect the outcome of your brows?
So to put your mind at ease we would say when it comes to washing your hair You are allowed to shampoo your hair on the day of the first appointment after being numbed by the microblading needle. It is best to shampoo your hair at a minimum 3 days after application so that the pigment has had time to set on your skin. The biggest thing to remember is to not get your brows sopping wet.
What if I get my eyebrows wet after microblading?
It’s completely understandable how you might be nervous or concerned about your eyebrows being wet! You want to know if it will ruin the pigment and the shape. So here goes:
Yes, getting your eyebrows wet or even fully submerged in water can remove or fade freshly microbladed eyebrows. This is why it’s essential to not submerge your face in the water until a minimum of 3 days post-procedure, and also avoid getting them wet during those first three days as well. If you need to go swimming or even get your face wet (like with sweat) during those first three days then you should allow your brows to air dry or pat dry your face instead of rubbing after washing your face.
It’s important that you remember that even though you don’t have stitches with your microblading procedure, you do have tiny incisions that are healing. The more you disturb them, the longer it will take for them to heal properly. Getting them completely healed is the main goal.
Ways to keep the eyebrow area clean without fully showering.
Don’t use exfoliates or scrubs for around a week or two and make your skin envelop free of excess water or dirt. The pigments appear lighter in days as the ink slowly heals and will become adherent over the long-term. Use a cotton swab wet with clean water or a drop of sterilized lotion to gently rub the affected area with. It allows your wounds healing properly but also stops the spread of infection throughout the recovery period.
How long to wait to work out after microblading?
Don’t exercise straight after microblading. Microblading creates wounds in your skin. To heal properly, you need to keep away from bacteria and moisture. Sweat exposes your brows to both of these.
Sweating can increase your chance of getting an infection, which could affect how your brows heal. After microblading, your brows may feel sore, flaky, or swollen. Exercising can make these side effects worse, so stay away from the gym!
Most technicians agree that you can start working out after two weeks. Others say that if you don’t sweat much, and you’re healing better than normal, you can do a gentle workout after 10 days.
If this is you, stick to stretches or gentle yoga. Anything heavier than that can risk damaging your brows. Rather than the thick luscious brows you were hoping for, you could end up with patchy lines instead.
If you’re into your fitness, you might worry about taking a fortnight off from the gym. Two weeks may seem like a lot, but you don’t have to be completely inactive. Light walking can be a great way to stay in shape while you wait for your brows to heal.
Stick to a slow pace and be sure you don’t break a sweat. After two weeks, your first few gym sessions might be harder than normal, but your body is clever. You should get back to your previous fitness levels after a while.
Summary
Yes, you can shower after microblading! Just be sure to keep your brows away from direct water don’t fully submerge your brows for a minimum of 3 days. If you think you’ll find it difficult, there are products you can buy to keep your brows dry.
Remember to gently clean and dry your new brows, but don’t splash water anywhere near them. Avoid working out for 2 weeks after your appointment. If you can’t wait, gentle exercise is fine after a week.
Just make sure you don’t sweat, and hopefully, your new brows will look amazing.
If you are curious how much microblading costs check out our article.
As a certified lash and brow artist, I am passionate about helping others grow their lash and brow businesses, while educating consumers on the current trends.
So let me help you get the lash or brow business you’ve always wanted! We have a lot of great information on One Stop Lashes to help you.
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Being involved in the lash and brow industry, I have helped numerous businesses as a consultant helping lash artists grow their businesses and income.
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