Powder Brows: Pre-Care/Post-Care Guide
If you are looking for a long lasting, defined make- up brow that is custom tailored to your preferences, Powder brows are for you! Continue reading our Pre Care and Post Care Guide for Powder Brows below.
What are Powder Brows?
Powder brows are done using a tattoo machine to create a soft powered look within the brows. This technique is great for those looking for a more “makeup” look or who want more definition than microblading. Powder Brows can achieve a soft natural look or a more dramatic look depending on the clients preference. It’s also a great method for more oily and mature skin types, or those with very thin, yet coarse brow hair. Powder brows tends to last longer than microblading and fade more evenly over time than hair strokes.
How do I decide if Powder Brows are right for me?
Powder Brows are good for any skin type (oily skin, normal skin, dry skin types). They will last longer and give brows a fuller, more defined or bold dramatic look. It depends which style you want to pick: Ombre Powder Brows - the tails of the brow are darker and fade into a light beginning to the brow, creating a soft look. Bold Brows- in permanent makeup, bold brows are popular among those who prefer makeup look, it is dramatic and more defines the shape of the brows. Overall, Powder brows are good for anyone, especially if you have full brows and want a little definition and fullness.
How to prepare for your Powder Brow appointment?
Permanent Makeup Pre-Care Instructions help limit bleeding and skin sensitivities during the service.
Excess bleeding during the procedure can dilute the pigment color and lead to poor results.
Follow these steps to keep the brows looking their best and heal properly.
Who isn’t recommended for permanent make up services?
Disclaimer: At Blu Poodle Cosmetic Tattoo, We reserve the right to deny service to clients who have the following conditions. If you have any of the following conditions, please contact us immediately before scheduling to ensure you are a candidate for a cosmetic tattoo.
Pregnant or nursing
Uncontrolled diabetes
Viral infections and/or diseases
Epilepsy
Had an organ transplant
Tendency towards keloids or scarring
Seborrheic dermatitis
Skin irritations or psoriasis near the treated area (rashes, sunburn, acne, etc.)
Sick (cold, flu, etc.)
Had Botox in the past 2 months
Used Accutane in the past year
Allergic to anesthetic (Lidocaine)
Extremely oily or problematic skin (candidates with oily/ combination skin may consider powder technique)
Undergoing active chemotherapy
Dark pre-existing eyebrow tattoo (please, send us an email with a picture of eyebrows without makeup on).
In addition, the skin must be free of all irritations.
For example, ingrown hairs, blemishes, eczema and psoriasis.
Clients with diagnosed conditions that have been waived are required to bring a doctor's note stating their approval.
What will I need to avoid before your procedure?
Working Out: We do not recommend physical activities where you might sweat a lot, it will negatively effect the pigment implantation.
Alcohol & Caffeine: Do not drink alcohol or caffeine 24 hours before the procedure.
The Sun & Tanning: Avoid sun and tanning one week prior to the procedure.
Other Procedures: Do not pick/ tweeze/ wax/ perform electrolysis one week before the procedure (the more natural hair growth you have, the better!)
Over the Counter Medications: Do not take Aspirin, Niacin, Vitamin E, or Advil/ Ibuprofen 48 hours before the procedure, to avoid excessive bleeding and color deposit. Tylenol is Ok.
Certain Vitamins & Fish Oil: Avoid Fish Oil, Prenatal Vitamins, Nutritional Shakes ( Shakeology, etc.), “Hair, Skin, Nail” supplements 48 hours prior to procedure. They are natural blood thinners.
Retin: Discontinue Retin - A at least 4 weeks prior to your appointment and avoid on the eyebrow area after the procedure.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid: Refrain from the use of any Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) products close to eyebrow area 2 weeks prior and avoid on the eyebrow area after the procedure.
Botox & Fillers: Botox and filler on the forehead, temple, and eye area should be avoided 1 month prior to procedure for those who do not regularly receive injectables.
Chemical Laser Peels: Avoid Chemical, Laser Peels, Microdermabrasion or facials for 4 weeks prior procedure.
Antibiotics: No antibiotic use for 30 days prior to appointment.
Please Note: you will be more sensitive during your menstrual cycle.
Part Two: Prepare for Aftercare!
Aftercare is a very important part of permanent makeup. It plays a big role in pigment retention. Ineffective post care increases the chances of the brows healing unevenly, or fading faster, or even infecting the tattooed area.
What will I be responsible for in my Aftercare?
After the procedure, gently wipe blot the area with clean tissue to absorb excess lymph fluid. Do this every 5 minutes for the full day until the oozing has stopped. Removing this fluid prevents hardening of the lymphatic fluids. VERY IMPORTANT!
Days 1-7
Wash daily to remove bacteria, build up of product and oils, and dead skin (each morning and night). Keep the brow area clean by using a natural fragrance-free gel cleanser (such as Cetaphil, Dial Soap, Neutrogena) and water. Hands must be freshly clean . Avoid use of abrasive washcloths or sponges. Do not use any cleansing products containing acids (glycolic, lactic, or AHA), or exfoliants.
Allow eyebrows to completely air dry before applying ointment. Apply the aftercare ointment given with freshly washed hands or a Q- Tip (rice grain amount). Be sure not to over- apply, as this will suffocate your skin and delay healing. The ointment should be barely noticeable on the skin. NEVER put the ointment on a wet or damp tattoo. If you have oily skin the ointment can be applied when the skin is itchy.
Things to Avoid After a Powder Brows Procedure:
DO NOT rub, pick or scratch the treated area. Let any scabbing or dry skin naturally exfoliate off. Picking can cause scarring and pigment loss!
COMPLETELY avoid direct sun exposure and tanning beds for a minimum of 4 weeks after your procedure. Direct sunlight can cause the pigment to change color while it is healing and can also cause hyperpigmentation and scarring.
Avoid pool, sauna, steam rooms, hot showers and/or hot bath for 3 weeks.
Avoid sweating for a full 10 days. Any physical effort, gym, hot weather, any other activity that may cause sweating through or on the brows will expel pigment from the dermis producing poor results.
Avoid sleeping on your face/brows for the first 10 days.
Keep your bangs and hair pulled back from your face for the first 10 days.
NO makeup or skincare products to be used on the treated area for 10- 14 days.
NO facials, chemical treatments, laser treatments and microdermabrasion for 4 weeks.
NO botox for 4 weeks. We recommend that it’s best to wait until after your touch up heals to get Botox, as an educated injector will take your new brows into consideration when choosing where to inject.
After 10 days, once the area has healed completely, consider using sunblock to avoid uv rays (50 SPF or greater) when going out in the sun to stop the color from fading, color retention.
Eyebrow tinting should not be undertaken for 2 weeks after your procedure.
Avoid Retin-A, Chemical Peels and Microderms around the brow area once healed.
Maintain removal of unwanted eyebrow hair outside for your tattooed brow design by tweezing, threading, waxing or using razor for brows.
Important note about showering (during 10 days):
Limit your showers to 5 minutes so that you do not create too much steam. Keep your face/ procedure area out of the water while you wash your body, then, at the end of your shower, wash your hair. Your face should only be getting wet only at the end of the shower. Avoid excessive rinsing and hot water on the treated area.
Please Note:
Eyebrows will appear darker, bolder and sharper due to natural scabbing and healing for the first week.
It is normal to lose approximately ⅓ of the color during the healing process
After the initial procedure, the color may be a shade too dark; in 6 days it will appear light. After 10 days the color will show more.
It will appear softer when completely healed because the color will come from the dermal layer of the skin to the epidermal layer of the skin.
Please be patient, healing takes up to 30 days. We always can make brows darker at the touchup session if you find them light.
The brows are approximately 20 to 25% darker and bolder in the width compared when they are healed. Your skin is red under the pigment which causes the color of the pigment to appear darker. There is some swelling, although difficult to actually see due to the thickness of the skin in the eyebrow area. This will subside. Exfoliation, which begins in a few days, will cause the excess pigment surrounding the eyebrow procedure to flake away and a narrower appearance of your eyebrows. Don't be concerned that your eyebrows initially appear darker and heavier in size than you desire. This is all part of the process.
How often do Powder Brows need to be Touched Up?
In order to get the best results in cosmetic tattoo we recommend a touch up session after your initial treatment, typically 4-8 weeks post. In most cases, it is obligatory because everyone heals differently. There are many factors that affect the longevity of permanent makeup. Clients, who like tanning, sunbathing, going to the gym, swimming, who use different kinds of skincare products and who have oily skin might fade faster and would require touchup sessions. As for the annual powder brow touchups we recommend you come back after 6 to 18 months, depending on your lifestyle and how your eyebrows are faded.
Feel free to email a photo of your brows if you are unsure about whether you should schedule a touch up.
Interested in setting up a FREE Consultation?
Feel free to drop a note to us here and we will be sure to reach out to you ASAP!
