Keeping your freshly microbladed eyebrows dry, especially in the first week after your procedure, is one of the most important factors in achieving optimal results and longevity.
Getting your brows wet too soon can cause premature fading, blurred details, uneven pigment retention and higher risks of irritation and infection. Wet brows disrupt the critical healing period in those first 7 to 14 days post-procedure, when pigment is still superficial and most prone to being lifted or washed away.
This guide covers everything you need to know to safely shower and bathe while keeping your microbladed brows high and dry during this crucial initial healing window. We’ll discuss why it’s so important to avoid wetting brows, the risks involved, tips for showering safely, and what to do if your brows get accidentally wet.
Following these guidelines will support optimal conditions for your microbladed brows to heal, bond and integrate properly into your skin. So if you’re wondering “How to keep eyebrows dry in shower after microblading?” the key is patience, prevention and gentle modification of your usual shower routine for at least a week to 2 weeks after your procedure.
Let’s dive into exactly how to keep your freshly tattooed brows dry and protected in the shower or bath.
Why Is It Important To Keep Your Eyebrows Dry After Microblading?
There are several reasons why avoiding getting your eyebrows wet, especially for at least the first week after microblading, is so crucial for achieving the best results:
- Pigment lift – In the initial days after the procedure, the pigment sits very superficially in your skin. Getting brows wet can cause much of this pigment to simply lift and wash away.
- Premature fading – Even a small amount of fading from wet brows right after microblading can shorten the amount of time between needed touch-ups to restore shape and color.
- Infection risk – Moisture trapped under healing skin by wetting brows too soon can promote bacterial growth and skin irritation.
- Disrupted healing – The first 7 to 14 days are when pigment fully integrates into your dermis. Wet brows during this time interrupt this critical phase of the healing process.
- Uneven results – Areas of brows that heal properly can often retain pigment better, resulting in an uneven, muddled look overall if other parts fade more from getting wet too soon.
- Permanent damage – In extreme cases when brows are soaked right after microblading, nearly all pigment can be stripped, ruining results outright.
In summary, avoiding water and moisture on brows for at least a week and ideally up to 2 weeks after your procedure is important for:
- Maximizing pigment retention
- Achieving even, balanced color and shape
- Allowing proper healing of skin and integration of pigment cells
- Extending the longevity of your results between touch-ups
So patience during this initial period by keeping brows high and dry will pay major dividends in the quality and longevity of your microbladed brows.
Ways To Keep Your Eyebrows Dry In The Shower After Microblading
During the first critical week or two after your microblading procedure, follow these steps to keep water and moisture away from your brows while showering or bathing:
- Lean away – Lean your upper body away from the shower head spray to avoid any water hitting your brows. Keep your face angled away the whole time you bathe.
- Cup water – To wash your face and body, cup water in your hands and gently pat it onto your skin. Avoid splashing or pouring water directly onto your brows.
- Take baths – If possible, take baths instead of showers for easier avoidance of wetting brows. Keep your brows above the waterline and avoid immersing them in the tub.
- Pat dry – When you exit the shower or bath, pat your brows absolutely dry very gently with a clean tissue or soft towel. Avoid rubbing. Replace the towel frequently.
- Blow dry cautiously – You can use the lowest warm setting on a blow dryer to ensure brows are totally dry after bathing. Hold the dryer 6-12 inches away and aim away from brows.
- Moisturize carefully – Avoid any lotions, creams or serums on brows for at least 1-2 weeks. Gently wash face with water and pat brows dry as needed.
- Limit sweating – Avoid excess exercise or activities that cause heavy sweating during the initial healing phase. Pat brows dry immediately if you do sweat.
These techniques for showering and bathing safely during the all-important first week or two after microblading will help you keep your brows high and dry, avoiding moisture that can disrupt healing and cause premature fading, lifting or blurring of pigment.
With patience and diligence, following these guidelines will support optimal conditions for your freshly microbladed brows to heal properly and achieve the best possible results.
Tips For Showering After Microblading
- Lean away from the shower head to keep water from hitting your brows. Turn your face to angle away while bathing.
- Wash your hair last after rinsing off any soap or body wash. This will minimize product runoff onto your eyebrows.
- Apply conditioner to the ends and middle lengths of your hair only, avoiding your roots and keeping product away from your brows.
- While conditioner soaks, shampoo your roots and scalp while tilting your head down and leaning forward to direct water away from your brows. Rinse thoroughly.
- With conditioner still in hair, gently wash your face and body while avoiding direct contact with your eyebrows. Cup water in your hands and pat it onto your face.
- Rinse conditioner from your hair last, continuing to keep your face angled away from the water spray.
- Gently pat your brows dry with a soft tissue or towel. Avoid rubbing or wiping. Replace the towel frequently and blot brows dry.
- Limit sweating during and after your shower. Immediately pat brows dry if you do sweat to avoid prolonged moisture.
- Take baths instead of showers if possible. Keep your brows above the waterline and avoid immersing them. Wash hair last.
- Use a blow dryer on the lowest warm setting to ensure brows are completely dry after bathing. Hold the dryer 6-12 inches away and aim away from brows.
By modifying your usual shower routine in these simple ways, you can keep your freshly microbladed eyebrows dry and protected through the first crucial week or two of healing – giving them the best possible conditions for optimal results.
Risks Of Getting Brows Wet After Microblading
Here are the risks of getting your brows wet after microblading in more detail:
- Significant fading: Wetting your brows too soon can cause 20%-40% or more of the pigment to lift and wash away. This amount of fading will require a touch-up much sooner.
- Uneven pigment retention: Since some areas tend to re-bond better after healing, wet brows can result in an uneven, muddled look where some patches are darker than others. This unevenness is difficult to correct.
- Blurring of pigment details: The tiny hair strokes and intricacies of your brow shape may blur or spread when wet pigment migrates in water. This can distort the precision and naturalness of your brows.
- Infection risks rise: Moisture trapped under partially healed skin by wetting brows too soon can cause bacteria to multiply and increase risks of skin infection, irritation and allergic reaction.
- Need for early touch-up: The degree of fading caused within the first critical week by wet brows often necessitates a touch-up within just a few months to restore shape, color and depth.
- Permanent damage in worst cases: In extreme cases where brows are fully soaked immediately after microblading, nearly all pigment can be stripped from the skin, completely ruining results. This requires basically “starting over.”
- Loss of depth and dimension: Not only can wet brows cause pigment to fade, but any dimensional effects achieved during the procedure – like gradient feathering or shading – may be almost impossible to fully regain after water contact.
- Healed areas fare better: Parts of brows that escape moisture and heal properly tend to retain pigment the best. This can compound the uneven fading caused by wetting other areas too soon.
In summary, getting your eyebrows wet within the first week or two after microblading poses high risks of significant and often uneven fading, blurring, the need for early touch-ups, heightened infection risks and potentially permanent damage in worst cases. Overall results will also lack the depth, dimension and finesse achieved during the original procedure.
So patience by keeping brows dry during healing, no matter how inconvenient, is essential for protecting your investment in your newly microbladed eyebrows.
What To Do If Your Eyebrows Get Wet After Microblading?
Here are the steps to take if your eyebrows get wet after microblading:
- Pat them absolutely dry immediately with a soft, clean towel or tissue. Gently blot – do not rub.
- Avoid washing or scrubbing your brows, as this can exacerbate pigment loss. Just pat them dry.
- Do not apply heat like from a blow dryer, as this can damage healing skin and lift more pigment. Dry patting is best.
- Avoid applying any lotions, creams or other products to your brows for at least 24 hours to allow them to dry out fully.
- Do not wear makeup on your brows for at least 24 hours after getting them wet.
- Monitor your eyebrows closely over the next few days for any signs of excess fading, bleeding, or loss of pigment.
- Some faded pigment is normal immediately after wetting brows, especially in the first week. But large gaps or a noticeably uneven look may require a touch-up sooner.
- Schedule a touch-up appointment 2-4 weeks sooner than normal if you notice significant fading from wet brows. This can restore shape and color without too long a gap.
Even with the best precautions, accidents happen and eyebrows may get wet after microblading against your wishes. But by immediately patting brows dry gently and avoiding excess scrubbing, washing or heat, you can minimize potential pigment loss and fading.
Just be sure to monitor brows closely over the next few days for signs of excess or uneven fading that would benefit from an earlier-than-planned touch-up appointment. With prompt action, getting brows wet soon after microblading need not completely ruin your results.
Keeping your newly microbladed eyebrows dry during the initial healing period, especially the crucial first week, is one of the most important factors that determines the longevity and success of your results. While avoiding wetting brows for 7 to 14 days seems simple, adhering to these guidelines by modifying your shower routine and taking the proper precautions will make all the difference.
With patience and practice of the tips covered in this guide, you can give your microbladed brows the best opportunity for optimal healing, pigment bonding and integration – setting the stage for beautifully enhanced eyebrows that last for months.
FAQs
1. How long should I avoid wetting brows?
Avoid water and moisture on brows for 7 to 14 days minimum after microblading for best results.
2. Can I use oils on brows during healing?
No, avoid all products on brows for at least 1 to 2 weeks to allow proper healing. Use only water and pat dry gently.
3. Is it ok if I sweat a little after microblading?
Some sweating is fine but pat brows absolutely dry right away to limit moisture exposure. Limit strenuous exercise for a week.
4. What if I accidentally wash my eyebrows?
Gently pat them dry immediately. Avoid heat, scrubbing or products for at least 24 hours. Monitor for signs of excess fading that require an earlier touch-up.
5. Will my eyebrows still heal if they get wet?
Yes, but you will likely see some premature fading that shortens the time between touch-ups. Keeping brows dry for 7 to 14 days maximizes longevity.