INK & IVORY BROW AFTERCARE

 

Your brows are a cosmetic tattoo and should be treated like a superficial skin wound while healing. Proper aftercare ensures optimal color retention, smooth healing, and long-lasting results.

 

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Brows may appear darker and more defined immediately after your appointment
• Mild redness, swelling, or slight stinging may occur for 24–48 hours
• Light flaking may begin around days 4–7
• Brows may appear patchy or uneven during the flaking phase — this is normal
• Color may appear lighter during healing before returning (ghost phase)
• Final results settle in approximately 14–21 days

 

 

DAY 1 (FIRST 6–12 HOURS)

• Do not wash the brows immediately after your appointment
• If lymph fluid appears (clear/yellowish), gently blot with clean gauze or a cotton pad
• Avoid touching the brows unnecessarily

Wait at least 6–12 hours before your first cleanse to allow the skin to begin closing. You may gently cleanse your brows the evening of your appointment or the following morning.

 

 

DAYS 1–7: HEALING PHASE

Clean (Morning & Night)

• Wash hands thoroughly
• Cleanse gently with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser (e.g., Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser)
• Use clean fingertips only
• Rinse gently and pat dry with a clean paper towel
• Allow brows to fully air dry, follow with your aftercare lotion.

Do not scrub, rub, or apply pressure. Avoid direct, high-pressure shower water on the brows.

 

 

Moisturize

After cleansing and drying, apply a very thin layer of the provided aftercare lotion.

• Use a rice-grain amount per brow
• Apply with a clean cotton swab or microbrush
• Brows should not appear shiny or greasy
• Apply 1–2 times daily for 5–7 days or until flaking subsides

Skin type guidance:
• Oily skin: apply minimally (once daily or as needed)
• Dry skin: may apply 2–3 times daily as needed

 

 

AVOID FOR 10–14 DAYS

• Excessive sweating or intense exercise
• Swimming (pools, oceans, lakes)
• Saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs
• Direct sun exposure or tanning beds
• Facials, chemical peels, or laser treatments
• Retinol, Retin-A, glycolic acid, or exfoliating products near the brows
• Makeup directly on the brow area
• Picking, peeling, or scratching
• Sleeping face-down on the brows
• Heavy dust or debris exposure

 

 

AFTER BROWS ARE FULLY HEALED

Once all flaking has stopped:
• Apply SPF 30–50 to the brow area when exposed to sunlight
• Avoid frequent exfoliation directly over the brows
• Proper skincare maintenance will extend the life of your results

 

 

ABOUT THE HEALING PROCESS

Brows heal best when kept clean and lightly moisturized — not overly dry or heavily coated.

• The skin releases lymph fluid in the first several hours
• If left to dry, this can form thicker scabbing
• Thick scabs may pull pigment during shedding

Gentle cleansing helps prevent heavy scabbing, reduce infection risk, and support pigment retention. A thin layer of aftercare protects the skin barrier without suffocating it.

More lotion does not mean better healing.

 

 

CONTACT ME IF YOU NOTICE

• Increasing redness after day 3
• Unusual swelling
• Thick yellow or green discharge
• Fever or warmth at the site
• Severe pain

These may indicate infection and should be evaluated.

 

Thank you for trusting Ink & Ivory 🤍  Text me if you need anything!