Your complete recovery guide after microblading brows at Reimagine Clinic Montreal. Proper aftercare is the difference between crisp, long lasting pigment and uneven, patchy healing.
Proper preparation directly affects pigment retention, color accuracy and healing. The week before your microblading appointment is when the work really starts.
Stop aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E and alcohol for 48 to 72 hours before your session. Blood thinners cause excessive bleeding during microblading, which pushes pigment out and results in patchy healed color. Check with your physician about prescribed medications first.
Stop retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, AHA/BHA, benzoyl peroxide, hydroquinone and any exfoliating treatments in the brow area for at least 2 weeks. These thin the skin and compromise pigment retention.
Skip brow waxing, tinting, threading and lamination for 2 weeks before. Your artist needs to see your natural brow hair pattern and untreated skin to design the most accurate shape and map.
Disclose pregnancy, breastfeeding, autoimmune conditions, accutane use (requires 12 month wait), blood thinners, keloid history, cold sore history, allergies, and all medications. Microblading is not recommended during pregnancy or with certain conditions.
The first 48 hours set the foundation for how well your pigment holds. Lymph fluid and plasma can push pigment out if the brows are not cared for properly. Follow your artist protocol (dry heal or ointment) exactly.
For the first 24 hours, gently blot clear lymph fluid from the brows with a clean, damp cotton pad every 1 to 2 hours. This prevents scab buildup which can trap and displace pigment. Never wipe, only blot.
No water, no sweat, no steam near the brows for 7 to 10 days. When washing your face, use a washcloth carefully around the eye area only. No showers over the face, no swimming, no hot yoga, no saunas.
Keep fingers, makeup brushes, pillows and phones off your brows. Bacteria from hands can cause infection. Rubbing displaces healing pigment and can pull off premature scabs, resulting in patchy pigment.
Some artists prefer dry heal (no product), others prefer a thin layer of specialized ointment twice daily. Follow the specific protocol given to you. Never apply Vaseline, neosporin or random moisturizers, these can distort color.
This is the scabbing, itching and flaking phase. What you do (and do not do) determines whether your brows heal crisp or patchy. Resist every urge to scratch, pick or peel.
Microblading results last 1 to 3 years depending on skin type, lifestyle and sun exposure. Oily skin tends to fade faster. With smart ongoing care and annual touch ups, your brows will stay crisp and natural looking for years.
The touch up (also called perfection session) is a mandatory part of the microblading process, not optional. Your first session only deposits about 60 to 70 percent of the pigment. The touch up fills gaps, refines shape and locks in color for maximum longevity.
UV exposure is the number one cause of premature fading. Apply broad spectrum mineral SPF 30 or higher on your brows every single day, even when indoors near windows. Sun fades microblading pigment faster than anything else.
Keep retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin C and other exfoliating ingredients away from the brow area long term. They accelerate pigment fading. If you use these on your face, be meticulous about avoiding the brow zone.
Plan a color boost every 12 to 18 months to maintain crisp, vibrant brows. Waiting too long between boosts means starting over with a full session. A simple annual refresh is much faster and more affordable than full microblading.
Microblading pairs beautifully with other permanent makeup and brow services. Explore our microshading (powder brows) for a softer, more makeup like finish, brow lamination to tame unruly brow hairs, permanent makeup services hub, or microblading removal if you need to reverse an older treatment. For lips, see our lip blush or dark lips neutralization pages.
Your most common questions about healing after microblading brows at our Montreal clinic, answered.
For the first 3 to 5 days, brows look 40 to 50 percent darker and bolder than the final result. This is because pigment is still sitting in the top layer of skin. As scabbing and flaking occur, the top pigment lifts off and the healed color (softer, lighter) reveals by week 4 to 6.
You can wash your face carefully the next day, but keep water, cleanser and steam away from the brow area for 7 to 10 days. Use a washcloth to cleanse around the eyes and forehead while avoiding the brows entirely.
Yes, scabbing and flaking between days 5 and 10 is the normal healing process. Do not pick, scratch or pull at the flakes, even when they itch. Let them fall off naturally. Premature removal causes patchy pigment and uneven healed color.
The week 3 to 4 phase is called ghosting. Brows appear light, patchy and even partially faded. This is completely normal. The pigment is settling into the deeper skin layer and will resurface by weeks 4 to 6. Do not panic. The touch up at week 6 to 8 fills any remaining gaps.
The initial microblading session only deposits 60 to 70 percent of the pigment into the skin. The touch up (perfection session) at 4 to 6 weeks fills patchy areas, corrects any asymmetry, adjusts color intensity and locks in the final result. Skipping it leads to uneven, faster fading brows.
Avoid intense exercise that causes heavy brow sweating for 7 days. Sweat is salty and can distort pigment or cause scabs to lift prematurely. A gentle walk is fine immediately. Return to full workouts at day 8.
No makeup, brow pencils, brow gels or powders on the brow area for 14 days. You can apply makeup to the rest of your face (eyes, lips, foundation) after day 3, but keep all products at least 1 cm away from the brow line.
Microblading typically lasts 1 to 3 years. Oily skin holds pigment for about 1 to 1.5 years. Normal to dry skin holds pigment for 2 to 3 years. Sun exposure, skin care routine, lifestyle and retouch frequency all affect longevity.
Yes, but oily skin tends to blur microblading strokes over time and fade faster. Some clients with very oily skin prefer microshading (powder brows) which holds better on oily skin. Discuss your skin type with your artist during consultation.
If you have existing microblading, share photos with us before booking. We can often work over existing brows if they have faded enough. Otherwise, you may need to wait for more fading or consider microblading removal before a new session.
No. Microblading is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Hormonal changes affect pigment retention and healing, and general safety for the baby cannot be guaranteed. Wait until at least 3 months after you finish breastfeeding.
Microblading is brow only, so cold sore risk is minimal. However, if you have significant facial herpes history, discuss antiviral prophylaxis with your provider to be safe, especially if you may be combining microblading with lip services.
If you notice any area of increased redness, pus, spreading warmth, fever or a scab that looks unusual (not typical flaking), contact the clinic immediately. This could indicate infection and needs prompt evaluation.
Depends on the specific area. Small moles and mature scars are often worked around. Fresh scars need at least 1 year to heal before microblading near them. Your artist will map around any concerns during your consultation.
Plan for color boost touch ups every 12 to 18 months to maintain crisp, saturated brows. Waiting longer than 2 to 3 years usually means needing a full microblading session again, which is more expensive and time consuming than regular refreshes.
Pricing depends on the session type (initial, perfection touch up, annual color boost, or color correction over older work). Book a free consultation for an assessment and quote. Full details on our microblading service page.
Book a free consultation with our certified brow artists in Montreal. We will assess your natural brows, skin type and goals, and design a personalized microblading plan for beautiful, lasting results.
If you have questions? Let us know and we will get back to you as soon as we can
info@reimagineclinic.ca
438-686-8460
