Tattoo Aftercare

Proper aftercare is essential to achieving the best possible results from your cosmetic tattoo. We've outlined everything you need to know to support healing, maintain pigment retention, and ensure your new brows or lips heal beautifully. Follow these guidelines carefully to protect your investment and enjoy lasting, flawless results.

Close-up of a woman lying down, with long brown hair, light makeup, earrings, a necklace, and a black top.

Brows

  • Directly after your brow tattoo procedure, you can expect:

    • Darker and Bolder Brows: The color will appear much darker than the final healed result. This is normal and will fade by 30–50% as they heal.

    • Mild Redness and Swelling: Your brow area may feel tender, slightly swollen, or irritated, similar to a mild sunburn. This should subside within a day or two.

    • Slight Oozing or Lymph Fluid: A clear or slightly yellowish fluid may appear on the brows in the first 24 hours. Gently blot away and re-apply healing balm if needed.

    • Tight or Dry Sensation: Your brows may feel slightly tight or dry as the healing process begins.

    • Scabbing and Flaking (Within a Few Days): The skin will start to scab and flake around days 3–7. Do not pick at them—let the scabs fall off naturally.

    • Slight Itching: As your brows heal, you may feel mild itching. This is normal but avoid scratching or rubbing them.

    • Uneven or Patchy Appearance at First: Some areas may heal faster than others, making your brows look uneven. The full result will settle after the healing process, usually by week 6–8.

    • Possible Tenderness or Sensitivity: Your brows may feel slightly sore, especially if you have sensitive skin.

    All of these effects are temporary and part of the normal healing process.

  • Day 1 (Day of treatment): As we have already applied a medical grade healing gel, maintenance on day one is very minimal. You do not need to touch or do anything with the area unless you notice fluid rising to the surface. If you notice fluid forming on the brow, use a sterile wipe to clean the area and re-apply the gel. Avoid touching the area with your fingers. Use only sterile wipes or sterile water on a makeup removal pad.

    When cleansing your face, be sure to avoid the brow area. After cleansing your face, clean brow with sterile wipe and re-apply gel.

    Day 2-3: Carefully blot the area in the morning and in the evening. It is important to remove dead skin and bacteria. Make sure your hands are clean, and you use sterile water. Do not rub, tug or scrub the brows. After wiping, apply a thin layer of gel. When wiping the brows do not make aggressive movements or manipulate the skin abrasively. It is highly important to be gentle.

    Day 4-14: Continue cleaning your face and brows every morning and evening with water and gentle soap. Do not use products that contain acids and exfoliants. After cleansing re-apply healing gel.

  • After your brow tattoo procedure, avoid the following to ensure proper healing and long-lasting results:

    • Touching, Rubbing, or Picking at Your Brows: Scabbing and flaking are normal; prematurely removing the scab can affect the pigment retention and in some cases cause scarring. Let scabs fall off naturally to avoid patchy healing and pigment loss.

    • Getting Them Wet: A little ‘off spray’ is completely fine but avoid showering with direct water pressure on your brows. Also avoid swimming, and saunas for at least 7–10 days. Use a damp cotton pad or sterile water wipe to gently clean your face.

    • Applying Makeup or Skincare on Brows: No foundation, concealer, brow products, or skincare (especially retinol, acids, or exfoliants) on or near your brows during the healing process.

    • Excessive Sweating or Intense Exercise: Sweat can cause pigment to fade unevenly. Avoid high-intensity workouts for the first week.

    • Sun Exposure or Tanning Beds: UV rays can fade pigment quickly. Wear a hat or sunglasses, and apply SPF after brows are fully healed.

    • Sleeping on Your Face: This can rub off scabs and disrupt healing. Try to sleep on your back.

    • Drinking Alcohol or Excessive Caffeine: these can thin the blood and affect healing.

    • Laser Treatments or Facials: Avoid chemical peels, facials, and laser treatments near your brows for at least a month, as they can alter the pigment.

    • Performing tasks where there is a lot of airborne debris or dust: this increases the risk of infection.

    Healing takes about 2 weeks, but full color and shape settle in after 6–8 weeks.

Lips

  • Directly after a lip blushing tattoo session, you can expect your lips to feel a bit tender and look somewhat darker than your desired shade. Here’s what to anticipate:

    • Redness & Swelling: Your lips may appear red and slightly swollen immediately after the procedure—this is normal and should subside within a few days.

    • Slight Discomfort: Mild tenderness or sensitivity is common, similar to a light sunburn, and can usually be managed with recommended aftercare products.

    • Initial Pigment Appearance: The pigment might seem more intense or darker initially; it typically softens as the healing process progresses.

    • Healing Process: You may notice some flaking or slight dryness over the next few days. Following your aftercare instructions (such as applying ointment, keeping your lips moisturized, and avoiding certain foods or activities) is essential to ensure optimal healing and pigment retention.

    Remember, full healing can take a couple of weeks, and your final color may take a bit longer to reveal itself. If you have any concerns during your recovery, please contact us immediately.

  • Caring for a fresh lip blushing tattoo is essential to ensure proper healing and vibrant, long-lasting results. Here’s a concise guide on what to do:

    • Ice pack - use an ice pack after a lip blushing tattoo to help reduce swelling and discomfort.

      Wrap the ice pack (or a few ice cubes) in a clean, soft cloth—never apply ice directly to your lips, as this can be too harsh on the sensitive skin.

      Apply in short intervals, such as 5-10 minutes on, then a break, to avoid excessive cold exposure.

      Avoid excessive pressure to prevent disrupting the healing process or pigment retention.

    • Straw - Using a straw during the healing process of a lip blush tattoo minimizes direct contact between your lips and any beverages. This helps prevent irritation, friction, or accidental removal of the delicate, healing skin and scab. Additionally, it reduces the risk of potential pigment alteration or fading caused by acidic or hot drinks, ensuring optimal healing and long-lasting results.

    • Keep Your Lips Clean - Gently cleanse your lips with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser if advised. Pat dry with a clean towel.

    • Apply Recommended Ointment - Use the healing balm or ointment prescribed several times a day to keep the area moisturized and protected. It is highly important not to over-use the healing balm. Apply a thin layer and only re-apply when needed. Excess buildup of healing balm can encourage bacteria and infection.

    • Avoid Touching or Picking - Refrain from touching, licking, or picking at your lips to prevent irritation or infection.

    • No Makeup or Lip Products - Avoid applying any makeup, lipsticks, or glosses until your technician confirms that your lips are fully healed.

    • Minimize Sun Exposure - Protect your lips from direct sunlight and UV rays. Once healed, always use a lip balm with SPF.

    • Stay Away from Irritants - Avoid spicy, hot, or acidic foods and beverages that might irritate the healing skin.

    • Hydrate and Rest - Keep yourself well-hydrated and try to limit strenuous activities that may cause excessive sweating, which can interfere with healing.

    By following these steps, you’ll help your lips heal smoothly and ensure your lip blushing tattoo retains its beautiful, natural shade. If you notice any signs of prolonged irritation or infection, be sure to contact your technician or a medical professional.

  • Please avoid the following to ensure proper healing and long-lasting results:

    • Touching or Picking at Your Lips: Avoid peeling, picking, or scratching the scabs as this can cause uneven healing and pigment loss.

    • Eating Spicy, Salty, or Acidic Foods: These can irritate your lips and cause discomfort. Stick to bland, soft foods for the first few days.

    • Drinking Alcohol or Caffeine: Both can dehydrate your body and slow down the healing process.

    • Using Lipstick, Lip Gloss, or Lip Balm: Regular lip products may contain bacteria or harsh ingredients that interfere with healing. Use only prescribed healing balm.

    • Exposing Lips to Direct Sunlight or Tanning Beds: UV rays can fade the pigment quickly, so use SPF lip balm once healed.

    • Swimming or Soaking Lips in Water: Avoid pools, saunas, hot tubs, and long showers to prevent infection and premature pigment loss.

    • Intense Workouts or Sweating: Excessive sweating can cause the pigment to fade unevenly. Try to avoid high-intensity exercise for at least a few days.

    • Smoking or Vaping: This can slow down healing and affect the color retention.

    • Sleeping Face Down: Try to sleep on your back to avoid rubbing your lips on your pillow.

    • Using Harsh Skincare Products Around Your Lips: Avoid exfoliants, retinol, and strong facial cleansers near your lips as they can interfere with healing.

    Healing usually takes about 7–10 days, with full color settling in after 6–8 weeks. Make sure to follow your aftercare instructions for the best results!