B⚡LT BROW Your best brow life
Book now

Prep & aftercare

How it heals
is up to you.

Read this before you book, and again the night before. Aftercare decides most of how your tattoo settles.

Before

Prepare for your appointment.

Brow prep microblading, combo, powder

Plan ahead

  • Schedule BOTOX at least 2 weeks before your PMU appointment.
  • Stop vitamin A skincare and retinol / retin-A 2–4 weeks before. Afterwards, give the tattooed area a one inch radius.
  • Any AHA chemical exfoliation or intense facial service must be done at least a month before. Accutane must be stopped for a year before the procedure.
  • No laser or electrolysis on or around the treatment area one week prior.
  • Avoid sun and tanning bed exposure one month before and after.
  • Do not drink alcohol excessively the night before.
  • We recommend washing your hair before you come in.

The morning of

  • No coffee or caffeine.
  • No fish oil or vitamin E.
  • No working out or exercise.
  • No blood thinning pills or pain medication — no aspirin, antibiotics, etc.
  • Have a meal or snack beforehand.
  • Please do not come in if you are sick.
Lip prep lip blush, lip liner

Clients who get cold sores will need to begin prescription medication like Valtrex or similar — no exceptions. Contact your physician for antiviral meds, taken 2 days before and 3 days after the procedure.

  • Begin a nightly honey and sugar lip scrub: mix honey and sugar, apply to lips for 10–15 minutes, rinse off, then apply Aquaphor or chapstick before bed. Keep lips moisturised through the days leading up to your appointment.
  • Lip filler must be done 2–4 weeks before lip blushing, or 2+ weeks after.
  • Avoid matte lipsticks for a few days before, to prevent drying out or chapping.
  • Stop vitamin A skincare and retinol / retin-A for 2–4 weeks before.
  • Any AHA chemical exfoliation or intense facial service must be at least a month before.
  • Accutane must be stopped for a year before your procedure.
  • Avoid sun and tanning bed exposure one month before and after.
  • No laser or electrolysis on or around the treatment area one week prior.
Eye prep lash line & eyeliner

We cannot and will not tattoo anyone who is pregnant or nursing, or who has or has had glaucoma.

  • Remove lash extensions 2 weeks prior to tattooing.
  • Discontinue any eyelash serums for at least 8 weeks prior.
  • Stop lasers and peels for a minimum of 1 month prior.
  • No Botox for a minimum of 2 weeks prior.
  • No facials for a minimum of 2 weeks prior.
  • You cannot be tanned or sunburned.
  • Accutane must be discontinued for one full year before getting permanent makeup.
  • You cannot be on antibiotics at the time of your appointment.
  • No contacts during the procedure. Bring your glasses, or be prepared to take your contacts out.

Your artist must be told about

  • Any fillers around the eye area.
  • Any blood thinner medications you take.
  • Retin-A, glycolic acid, lactic acid or retinoid (anti-aging) use.
  • Any premedication prescribed by a doctor or dentist before dental work or invasive procedures.
  • Any ongoing medical condition you are being treated for, such as lupus or cancer.
  • Any moles, skin tags or scarring in the area to be tattooed.
  • A history of pink eye.
Freckle prep
  • Discontinue any retinol or active ingredient skincare 1 month prior.
  • Skin must be clear of blemishes, acne, dermatitis, rosacea or any visible skin condition.
  • You cannot be on antibiotics or steroid treatments.
  • You cannot be pregnant or nursing.
  • Please arrive with a makeup-free face — no foundation.

After

Care for your tattoo.

Brows heal one of two ways, and your artist decides which. Dry heal is for microblading, wet heal is for combo and powder. The instructions are opposite — dry heal means do not wash for 7 days, wet heal means wash the next morning. Follow the one your artist gave you. Your artist will tell you which suits your skin once they have worked with it.
Brow aftercare — dry heal microblading

Keep your eyebrows dry for 7–9 days after your appointment. Do not wash your brows for the first 7 days.

  • The entire procedure is sterile and you will leave with a protective barrier cream covering your brows, which keeps them safe for the next 72 hours.
  • As they heal your brows will feel dry. As soon as the dryness starts, use a q-tip or clean finger to apply a small amount of the grapeseed oil provided at your appointment.
  • Use the grapeseed oil to condition your tattoo as needed until your brows are back to normal. If you have oily skin you will most likely not need it.
  • If your skin is very oily and your brows appear "gooey", gently blot them with a paper towel.
  • Grapeseed oil is the ONLY thing to be used on your brows. No other type of oil, no ointments, no other products of any kind.
  • Do not pick scabs. If scabbing or dead skin has not fallen off naturally after 7–9 days, you can lightly exfoliate with a gentle cleanser and water.
  • Do not work out, swim, sauna or take long steamy showers — they are all ways of keeping your brows wet. After 7–9 days you can resume your normal routine.
  • You can wear makeup and facial products normally, just stay clear of the eyebrows.
  • If at any point you feel your brows were contaminated — dust fell directly on your face, say — please wash them.
  • Bolt Brow provides your first grapeseed oil. If it is lost, use a fragrance-free, chemical-free moisturiser such as Cetaphil.
  • Do not use retinols, vitamin C, SPF, or any moisturiser containing bronzing directly on the brows. Do not apply retinol or retin-A on or near the eyebrows.
  • Acne medications, treatments and peels can result in premature fading of the tattoo.

You must wash your brows after 7–9 days. Wash them the moment they are finished healing — do not wait extra time to wash them.

Brow aftercare — wet heal combo & powder

Wash your brows the morning after your appointment.

  • Wash your brows with room temperature water and a mild antibacterial soap the morning after your procedure.
  • After washing, pat them dry with a paper towel and allow your brows to fully air dry before applying grapeseed oil.
  • You may keep your brows dry for the rest of the healing process. If they appear "gooey" again, you may wash a second time.
  • Apply grapeseed oil as needed until your brows are back to normal, without over-moisturising. Do not use any other type of oil or ointment.
  • The wet heal process takes around 7 days, though healing times vary.
  • Do not pick scabs. If scabbing or dead skin has not fallen off naturally after 7 days, lightly exfoliate with a gentle cleanser and water using your fingertips.
  • You can wear makeup and facial products normally, just stay clear of the eyebrows.
  • If at any point you feel your brows were contaminated, please wash them.
  • Do not engage in sweat inducing activities for 5–7 days — no gym, exercise, swimming or sauna.
  • Bolt Brow provides your first grapeseed oil. If lost, use a fragrance-free, chemical-free moisturiser like Cetaphil.
  • Do not use retinols, vitamin C, SPF or bronzing moisturisers directly on the brows. Do not apply retinol or retin-A on or near the eyebrows.
  • Acne medications, treatments and peels can cause premature fading.

You must wash your brows at day 1 and day 7.

Washing your face & hair both brow methods

When washing your face

  • Facial cleansing wipes are ideal for the first week, in addition to washing.
  • When washing, splash water only up to your eyes and use your fingers to carefully cleanse around the brow area.
  • You may use your regular face wash around the brow area.
  • Do not use anything other than antibacterial soap on the brows themselves.

When washing your hair

  • Make sure you are not facing the showerhead, and carefully wash without letting water hit directly on your face.
  • Avoid soaking your brows. Quick showers are the best way to keep them out of the direct water stream.
  • If your brows get wet, gently pat them down with a paper towel as soon as you get out of the shower — no towels.

Your brows will feel no worse than a minor sunburn for the 24 hours following your procedure.

Lip blush aftercare

Do

  • Avoid soaking your lips — no swimming etc. Use Aquaphor to keep lips constantly hydrated.
  • Drink everything through a straw.
  • Be careful while eating — avoid spicy foods, small bites only.
  • No kissing for the first 7 days.
  • Avoid direct sun exposure for one week after your procedure.
  • Apply extra Aquaphor when you brush your teeth.

Do not

  • Let your lips dry out — after the procedure, Aquaphor will be your best friend.
  • Use a washcloth, pick, or scratch the tattoo area.
  • Use steam, sauna, or swim for 10 days after your procedure.
  • Put makeup on the tattoo area for 7–10 days after your procedure.
  • Apply ice or a cold compress.

What your lips will do, day by day

  • Day 1Right after the procedure, my lips feel a little swollen and tight. Aquaphor helps.
  • Day 2My lips look dark, like I am wearing lipstick, and dry out quickly. Aquaphor to the rescue.
  • Day 3–4My lips are almost fully healed and the colour has faded substantially.
  • Day 5–6The flaking is almost gone. I keep applying Aquaphor to soothe any remaining dryness.
  • Day 7My lips have completely healed, but the colour is much lighter than after the procedure.
  • Touch upThe colour has come back nicely. They look so natural.
Lash line enhancement aftercare

Do

  • Keep the area dry for 7–10 days. This does not mean don't wash your face — just be careful around your lash line.
  • Avoid direct sun exposure or tanning for 3–4 weeks after your procedure.
  • Avoid sleeping on your face for 7–10 days after your procedure.
  • Avoid heavy sweating for 7–10 days after your procedure.

Do not

  • Use a washcloth, pick, or scratch the tattoo area.
  • Use steam, sauna, or swim for 7–10 days after your procedure.
  • Put makeup on the tattoo area for 7–10 days after your procedure.
  • Wear contact lenses for 24 hours after your procedure.
  • Get lash extensions for 2 weeks after your procedure.
Freckle aftercare

Any future use of toning pads, retinol, AHA and similar will prematurely fade your freckles.

  • After 24 hours, wash your freckles with antibacterial soap and water.
  • Pat with a paper towel and let air dry for 5–10 minutes.
  • Moisturise with Cetaphil or a similar minimal-ingredient, fragrance-free lotion.
  • Use lotion as needed during the next 7 days until your freckles are visibly healed, especially if they are dry.
  • Do not wear makeup on your freckles for 1 week.
  • Do not apply chemicals or active ingredient skincare to your freckles.
  • Use SPF daily to preserve and protect the longevity of your freckles.

Contact your physician immediately if there is any sign of possible infection.

Questions about aftercare? Email hello@boltbrow.com.

Trust the process.

Be careful and mindful of the tattooed area. Do not hyper-focus — things shift and even out during the healing stage. Superficially your skin heals in 7–9 days; the true heal takes 6–10 weeks, and your touch up comes after 6.

More answers in the FAQ