You’ve booked your ombré or powder brows. Now you’re probably wondering what happens once you leave the studio.
How dark will they be? When will they start flaking? And at what point do they actually look like the brows you booked in for?
The healing process is a big part of your final result, and knowing what to expect makes those first few weeks a whole lot easier. So, here’s what your brows may look and feel like as they heal, plus how to take care of them along the way.
What Makes Ombré & Powder Brows Different?
Ombré and powder brows use a machine to deposit pigment into the skin, creating a soft, shaded finish rather than individual hair-like strokes.
The result looks a little more like brow makeup. Depending on the style you choose, it can be soft and natural or fuller and more defined.
Powder brows are also a popular option for oily skin and for anyone who loves the look of filled-in brows but would rather not have to do them every morning.
While the healing process can be relatively gentle, your skin still needs time to recover and allow the pigment to settle. What your brows look like immediately after your appointment isn’t what they’ll look like once they’re fully healed.
What to Expect While Your Powder Brows Heal
Everyone heals a little differently, so there isn’t one exact day-by-day timeline that applies to every client.
Your skin type and individual healing response can all affect how quickly your brows move through each stage. But generally, this is what you can expect.
The First Few Days
Your brows are going to look darker at first.
Usually, quite a bit darker.
They may also look more defined or solid than you expected. This is normal and doesn’t mean you’ve chosen the wrong colour or that they’re going to stay that way.
At this point, the pigment is still fresh and sitting close to the surface of the skin. As your brows heal, the colour will soften.
So if you look in the mirror on day two and think, Oh wow, those are BROWS, don’t judge the final result just yet.
Around the Middle of the First Week
This is usually when you’ll start noticing some flaking or peeling.
And this is the part where you really need to leave them alone.
As tempting as it might be to pick at a loose flake, don’t. Pulling or picking at the skin before it’s ready to come away can take pigment with it, which may leave lighter or patchy areas behind.
Let your skin do its thing and allow any flaking to come away naturally.
Around Two Weeks
By around the two-week mark, most of the obvious healing is usually behind you.
Your brows should start looking softer and lighter than they did immediately after your appointment.
They might even look too light for a little while.
Again, don’t panic.
There’s still healing happening underneath the surface and the colour needs more time to settle.
Weeks Four to Six
This is when you’ll get a much better idea of your healed result.
The colour has had time to settle and your brows should look softer and more natural than they did during those first few days.
Keep in mind that these timeframes are a guide, not a countdown. Some people heal faster than others and your artist will explain what to expect based on your skin and treatment.
Powder Brow Aftercare: What You Actually Need to Do
Aftercare doesn’t need to be complicated, but you do need to follow it.
Your artist will give you specific instructions after your appointment and those should always come before general advice you find online.
As a general guide:
- Keep your brows clean and dry, particularly during the first week
- Avoid applying makeup directly to the brow area while it heals
- Keep skincare actives such as retinol and exfoliants away from your brows
- Avoid heavy sweating around the brow area until it has healed
- Skip swimming, saunas and hot yoga for at least the first week
- Don’t pick, scratch or peel flaking skin
- Use any aftercare balm exactly as your artist instructs
- Keep your healing brows protected from direct sun exposure
Most importantly, resist the urge to mess with them.
Your skin knows how to heal. Your job is mostly to give it the chance to do that without interfering.
When Should You Book Your Powder Brow Touch-Up?
Cosmetic tattooing is typically a two-appointment process.
Your first appointment creates the foundation. Once your brows have healed, your touch-up gives your artist the opportunity to see how your skin has retained the pigment and make any refinements that are needed.
Some areas may heal a little lighter than others. Your artist can address those spots, refine the shape where needed and make adjustments based on how your brows have healed.
You’ll be given specific advice about when to book your touch-up based on your skin and your results.
Common Questions About Ombré & Powder Brow Healing
Will my powder brows look too dark at first?
Probably, yes.
Fresh cosmetic tattoo pigment looks much bolder than healed pigment. Your brows will soften as they heal, so don’t judge the colour based on what you see during those first few days.
Can I wash my face while my brows are healing?
Yes, but you’ll need to be careful around your brows.
Avoid getting water directly on the treated area for however long your artist recommends. You can gently cleanse the rest of your face while avoiding the brows.
Most importantly, follow the aftercare instructions you’re given at your appointment.
Is powder brow healing different if I have oily skin?
Oily skin can affect the way cosmetic tattoo pigment settles and retains.
It’s also one of the reasons powder and ombré brows are such a popular option for people with oilier skin types. Your artist will take your skin type into account when recommending your treatment and aftercare.
What happens if I accidentally get my brows wet?
Don’t panic over one accidental splash.
Gently follow the aftercare instructions your artist has given you and get back to your normal healing routine. The goal is to avoid repeated or prolonged moisture while the area is healing.
If you’re ever unsure about something that happened during healing, contact your artist rather than trying to troubleshoot it yourself.
When can I wear makeup on my brows again?
Wait until the area has healed and your artist has given you the all clear before applying makeup directly over your brows.
That usually means waiting until the flaking and peeling stage has completely finished.
Ready to Wake Up With Your Brows Already Done?
If you love the look of softly filled-in, defined brows but could happily live without doing them every morning, ombré or powder brows could be a great option for you.
We’ll talk through the look you want, your skin type and what you can expect from the treatment and healing process before getting started.
