How Long After Microblading Can You Wear Makeup?

Microblading is the process of using tiny needles to etch pigment into your skin to give the appearance of fuller eyebrows. Since the surface of your skin will be scratched by the needles, it's likely not surprising that you shouldn't put makeup on right away after the procedure. So, how long should you wait? Well, we've researched the topic in-depth and have an answer for you.

After microblading, you should wait until any scabs have healed before wearing makeup. It typically takes between 7 to 14 days for them to heal completely. However, be sure to follow any aftercare directions from your technician. They should also be able to give you a time frame. 

Now you know that you need to give your eyebrows time to heal before applying any makeup, but keep reading as we elaborate on this further. We'll also answer some other questions you might have about when and what you can do after microblading. Additionally, we'll even tell you how to apply makeup to microbladed eyebrows.

A woman having a microblading session with the beauty expert, How Long After Microblading Can You Wear Makeup?

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Applying Makeup After Microblading

You should wait at least a week, but preferably two, before applying makeup after a microblading session. However, that only applies to your eyebrows and surrounding area.

It is okay to wear makeup on the other parts of your face, so you need to hold off on putting any foundation, concealer, brow pencil, or any other makeup for that matter directly on the area that was microbladed.

When can I fill in my eyebrows after microblading?

One common method for applying makeup to eyebrows is to fill them in. It can give them more definition and fullness. Once your skin is healed, you can use makeup to fill in your eyebrows. For most people, this will be ten to fourteen days after their microblading session.

Tinting your eyebrows can also give the appearance of a fuller brow. Eyebrow tinting requires the use of semi-permanent dye. If you wish to tint your eyebrows, you should wait at least four weeks after your procedure because you don't want to expose any areas that might not have healed fully to the dye.

What should you not do after microblading?

So, you shouldn't put makeup on right away after microblading, but what else shouldn't you do? From swimming to cleaning there are some activities you should avoid. Let's discuss the "do not's" after microblading below! You shouldn't:

Wash Your Face

Okay, so you can wash your face, but you'll need to avoid the area around your eyebrows. Just like with makeup, you can wash the rest of your face as usual but keep water and soap away from your eyebrow area. When you shower, try to keep the water away from your face or take a bath instead if you can.

A woman washing her face in the bathroom

When can you wash your face after microblading?

After microblading, you can wash the area that wasn't treated immediately. You will need to wait at least seven days before your face cleaning routine can include your eyebrows again. However, some technicians will direct you to gently pat the area clean with a minimal amount of water twice a day. You should follow any aftercare directions given to you after your appointment.

Sweat

If you've ever needed an excuse not to work out, this is it. You will need to avoid getting any sweat on your eyebrows while they are healing. It's best to wait at least ten days before you start working up a heavy sweat again.

Also, keep in mind that there are other ways to work up a sweat, like heading to a sauna. Saunas, gyms, and anything else that might cause your brow to sweat should be avoided.

Clean Where There's A Lot Of Dust

Avoid vacuuming or dusting any areas that might cause dust or other debris to land on your eyebrows. Either find a friend or partner to help you clean or take a break from cleaning until you can be sure that nothing will find its way to your healing eyebrows.

We used cleaning as an example, but avoid any activity that might cause small particles to land on your brows. Some other activities that might put you at risk include gardening and grooming your pet.

Tan

You'll also need to avoid any high UV rays, whether it's from direct sunlight or a tanning bed. Not only could you harm the area that is healing if you get burned, but you could also cause the pigment to fade.

You should wait at least 30 days, or until your technician gives you the go-ahead, before tanning again, and you should cover your eyebrows from the sun with a hat, sunglasses, and a strong SPF sunscreen.

Click here to see SPF 110 Face Sunscreen on Amazon. 

Swim

Avoid swimming in any bodies of water for at least a week after your microblading procedure. This includes the swimming pool, the ocean, a river, and anywhere else you might try to submerge your eyebrows. Like exposing your eyebrows to the sun, exposing them to water can damage the pigment. Swimming can also put you at risk for infection.

Drink Alcohol

This one might surprise you, but you should avoid consuming a large amount of alcohol until your eyebrows are healed. Alcohol can delay the healing process of wounds. Wait at least a week before drinking heavily on a night out.

Pick The Scabs

Scabs will start to form around day 4 of 5 after your procedure and can last for 7 days. We know it might be tempting, especially if they begin to itch, but don't pick at any scabs that form. Try to minimize touching the area at all if you can. Picking at the scabs can cause the pigment to pull away, and you might end up with patchy eyebrows instead.

If you have to touch your eyebrows for any reason, be sure to thoroughly clean your hands before you do. Cleaning your hands will help reduce the chance of an infection.

It might seem like there are many things to avoid after microblading, and that's true, but with such an expensive procedure, you want to help your eyebrows heal correctly to get the best possible results.

What happens if you put makeup on Microbladed eyebrows?

After your eyebrows are healed, you can apply makeup like normal, but if you apply makeup to newly microbladed eyebrows, you can risk irritating the area and causing an infection. The makeup can clog your pores and cause a build-up of oil.

Treat the area like any other open wound, and you will be fine.

How do you apply makeup to Microbladed eyebrows?

A woman applying eyeshadow on her eyebrow

Filling In

Once your eyebrows are healed, you can begin applying makeup again. You can use brow makeup to fill in your eyebrows or liner to give them more definition. If you noticed any minor areas that you don't like, for example, a stroke that doesn't quite seem complete, you can use a brow pencil to add corrections.

Since it's sometimes easier to see a visual when learning how to apply makeup, we've included this YouTube video on how to fill in microbladed eyebrows:

Click here to see Eyebrow Fill and Define Pencils on Amazon.

Making Them Pop

You may also want to add makeup to your brows to make them pop more. As you'll find out, sometimes the pigment of the microblading can become covered by foundation or concealer when applied to the rest of your face. When this happens, you might need to add some makeup to your brows to complete your look.

The last video we shared was aimed at filling in your eyebrow, but for more of a general makeup application routine, check out this video:

Click here to see Browgal Brow Gel on Amazon.

Final Thoughts

It will likely take between ten to fourteen days for your eyebrows to heal after a microblading session. During that time, you should avoid doing lots of things to protect the pigment and the wounds from infections. However, once that time has passed, you are free to proceed as usual with your makeup routine. Hopefully, our article has provided you with answers to some of the questions you might have had!

For more reading on the topic of microblading, check out some of our other blog posts on the subject here:

Can Microblading Be Corrected?

Are Microblading Eyebrows Permanent?

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