Permanent Makeup Aftercare Guide — Microblading, Lip Blush & More | Orlando Brow Studio

You made it through your appointment — and your results look incredible. But the work isn’t quite done yet. How you care for your skin in the days and weeks following any permanent makeup procedure has a direct impact on how your results heal, how vibrant the color stays, and how long everything lasts. At Orlando Brow Studio, we walk every client through aftercare in person — this guide is your complete reference to refer back to anytime.

What to Expect During Healing

Before diving into the do’s and don’ts, it helps to understand what’s happening in your skin. Immediately after any PMU procedure, the pigment sits in the upper layers of the skin looking bold, dark, and defined. Over the following 10–14 days, the skin heals from the outside in — a thin layer of skin forms over the pigment, which temporarily makes the color appear softer, lighter, or slightly patchy. This is completely normal and expected.

By weeks 3–4, that outer layer fully sheds and the true healed color emerges — typically 20–40% softer than immediately after the procedure. The final result at 4–6 weeks is what your touch-up appointment is based on, which is why the complimentary 6–8 week touch-up included with your initial microblading, combo brow, or ombre brow appointment is so important.

Microblading, Combo Brows & Ombre Brow Aftercare

Days 1–10 — The Critical Healing Window

Keep the brow area completely dry for the first 7–10 days. This means no water directly on the brows in the shower, no swimming, no hot yoga, no heavy exercise that causes sweating, and no steam rooms or saunas. Moisture on healing PMU significantly disrupts pigment retention.

Do not apply makeup of any kind directly on the brows during healing. No brow pencil, no brow gel, no concealer over the area. Keep the area clean and as untouched as possible.

Do not pick, scratch, or rub any scabbing or flaking that forms. The brows will go through a peeling phase — let it happen naturally. Picking prematurely pulls pigment out of the skin and creates uneven, patchy results.

Sleep on your back if possible to avoid rubbing the brow area on your pillow. A clean pillowcase changed every 1–2 days is ideal during the first week.

Apply the provided aftercare balm or healing ointment in a very thin layer if dry tightness or discomfort occurs — a rice-grain amount, not a heavy coat. Over-moisturizing can draw pigment out just as much as moisture from water.

Weeks 2–6 — The Settling Phase

Once the surface skin has fully shed — usually around day 10–14 — you can return to most normal activities. Continue to avoid direct sun exposure on the brows. UV rays are one of the primary causes of PMU fading. When outdoors, apply SPF 30 or higher over healed brows.

Avoid retinol, AHAs, BHAs, and exfoliating treatments on or near the brow area for at least 4 weeks post-appointment. These ingredients accelerate skin cell turnover and will cause your PMU to fade significantly faster.

Avoid chemical peels, laser treatments, or microneedling on the brow area until fully healed — and always inform your provider about existing PMU before any facial treatment.

Lip Blush Aftercare

Lip blush healing follows a similar timeline to brows but with a few specific considerations. The lips are a high-movement area and tend to swell more in the first 24–48 hours — this is normal. Apply a thin layer of the provided healing balm consistently throughout the day to keep the lips moist and comfortable during healing. Do not let the lips dry out and crack — a dry lip heals unevenly.

Avoid eating spicy, acidic, or heavily seasoned foods for the first 5–7 days as these can cause irritation and uneven healing. Drink through a straw where possible to minimize contact with the lip area. No lip products of any kind on the lips for the first 5 days — no lipstick, lip liner, or gloss.

Avoid sun exposure directly on the lips during healing and apply SPF lip balm once healed for long-term color longevity.

Eyeliner Tattoo Aftercare

The eye area is delicate and requires extra care during healing. Expect some swelling and mild bruising around the lash line for the first 24–48 hours — applying a cold compress gently to the area (not directly on the lash line) can help with swelling. Do not rub, touch, or apply any pressure to the eye area during healing.

No eye makeup — no mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, or eye cream — for a minimum of 7–10 days. When you return to wearing eye makeup, use new or freshly sanitized brushes and applicators to prevent any risk of infection near the healing area.

Do not wear contact lenses for the first 48–72 hours after your eyeliner tattoo appointment. Wash hands thoroughly before touching the eye area at any point during healing.

Universal PMU Aftercare Rules

These apply to every permanent makeup service — brows, lips, and eyeliner.

No sun exposure on treated areas during healing. UV is the number one cause of PMU fading — both during healing and long-term. Always use SPF on fully healed PMU areas when outdoors.

No swimming in pools, oceans, or lakes for at least 2 weeks after any PMU procedure. Chlorine and saltwater are both harsh on healing skin and will pull pigment out prematurely.

Avoid blood thinners — alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen — for 24–48 hours post-appointment as they can slow the healing process and cause prolonged bleeding or bruising.

Do not book any other facial treatments — chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser, or injectables — until your PMU has fully healed, and always disclose your PMU to any other treatment provider.

Attend your touch-up appointment. The complimentary 6–8 week touch-up included with your microblading, combo brows, or ombre brows at Orlando Brow Studio is not optional — it’s an essential part of the two-step process that ensures your final result is complete, even, and long-lasting.

Questions? We’re Here.

At Orlando Brow Studio, we don’t just do the work and send you home. We’re available to answer any questions that come up during your healing process. If something doesn’t look right or you’re not sure what you’re experiencing is normal, reach out before doing anything to the area.

Orlando Brow Studio is located at 2316 Hillcrest Street, Orlando, FL 32803 — in Colonialtown, off Bumby Avenue, minutes from Thornton Park, Baldwin Park, Winter Park, and Downtown Orlando. We serve clients from across Central Florida. Afterpay and Klarna accepted on all services.

Book your PMU appointment online or call us at 689-210-8868.