Your permanent makeup appointment is important. But what you do in the weeks following your appointment is equally important. Permanent makeup aftercare is the single biggest factor within your control that determines how beautifully your results heal, how long they last, and how vivid the colour remains. Even the most skilled artist can’t guarantee a great result if aftercare instructions aren’t followed.
At BeYOUtiful Ink Studio in Little Falls, Minnesota, every client receives a detailed written aftercare guide at their appointment. This post shares those guidelines — so you can read them in advance, share them with your household, and arrive at your appointment already prepared.
General Permanent Makeup Aftercare Rules for All Treatments
Regardless of which permanent makeup treatment you’ve had — brows, eyeliner, or lips — the following general rules apply during the initial healing period (days 1 to 14):
- Keep the treated area clean and dry for the first 7 days. Gently pat dry after any contact with water.
- Apply the aftercare ointment provided by your artist using a clean cotton swab — a very thin layer, 2 to 3 times per day.
- Do not soak the treated area — no swimming, hot baths, saunas, steam rooms, or prolonged showers that direct water onto the face.
- Avoid direct sun exposure. UV rays are one of the leading causes of premature pigment fading.
- Do not pick, scratch, or rub the treated area. Let any flaking or peeling resolve naturally.
- Avoid applying any skincare products containing retinol, glycolic acid, vitamin C, AHAs, or BHAs near the treated area during healing.
- Avoid exercise that produces heavy sweating for the first 7 to 10 days.
Following these rules consistently gives your pigment the best possible chance to settle evenly and retain its colour beautifully. Permanent makeup aftercare is simple — but it has to be consistent.
Permanent Makeup Aftercare: Eyebrows Specifically
For brow treatments — whether nano brows, ombré powder brows, or microblading — the aftercare period is typically 4 to 6 weeks for full colour settlement. In the first week, avoid getting brows wet beyond the minimal gentle cleansing described above. Do not apply any makeup, tinted moisturiser, or brow products to the treated area. Do not use face wash directly on the brow area — cleanse around it.
Between days 5 and 10, expect the brow area to peel or flake. This is completely normal. The skin shedding will be tinted with the pigment colour — resist the urge to pick. After peeling resolves, brows will appear lighter and softer for 2 to 4 weeks before the full healed colour emerges. Clients in Little Falls with nano brow or powder brow treatments should all follow this same general timeline.
Permanent Makeup Aftercare: Eyeliner Specifically
Eyeliner permanent makeup aftercare requires particular attention to the eye area. For the first 7 days, avoid all eye makeup — no mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliner, or eye cream on or near the tattooed area. Sleep on your back if possible to prevent eyelid contact with a pillow. Avoid rubbing your eyes. Wear sunglasses when outdoors to protect from sun and wind.
Mild swelling of the eyelid area is normal for the first 24 to 48 hours and can be gently managed with a cold compress applied to the closed eye (never directly on the treated area). Contact lens wearers should switch to glasses for the first 24 to 48 hours post-procedure. Explore our full range of eyeliner services to see all available styles.
Permanent Makeup Aftercare: Lips Specifically
Lip permanent makeup aftercare has a few additional considerations because the mouth area is constantly in use. For the first 2 weeks: eat soft foods to minimise lip movement and friction; avoid spicy, salty, or acidic foods and drinks; drink through a straw for the first 5 to 7 days; avoid kissing; and do not use any lip products other than the recommended aftercare ointment.
If you have a history of cold sores, speak with your doctor before your appointment about antiviral medication to prevent an outbreak during healing. Cold sore outbreaks during the healing phase significantly disrupt lip blush healing and affect the final result. Our ombré lip blush and aquarelle lips clients both follow the same lip aftercare protocol.
Long-Term Permanent Makeup Aftercare: Making Results Last
Permanent makeup aftercare doesn’t end after the first two weeks. Long-term habits have a significant impact on how long your results last before a touch-up is needed. The most important long-term aftercare habit is sunscreen. Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher over all treated areas before sun exposure — every single day. UV exposure is the number one cause of premature cosmetic pigment fading.
Avoid retinol, AHA, and BHA skincare products directly on tattooed areas — these actives accelerate skin cell turnover, which pushes pigment out of the skin faster. Chemical peels and laser treatments on the face should always be discussed with your permanent makeup artist before proceeding. Some treatments can affect or permanently alter permanent makeup pigment. Keeping your skin well hydrated also supports good pigment retention — dehydrated skin tends to shed surface cells faster, taking pigment with it.
When to Book Your Touch-Up
The perfecting touch-up appointment is a critical part of permanent makeup aftercare and should be booked at 6 to 8 weeks after your initial treatment. This session allows your artist to see the fully healed result, fill in any areas of lighter retention, refine the design if needed, and ensure the final outcome meets your expectations. Do not skip this appointment — it’s an essential step in achieving the best possible result from your treatment. After the touch-up, annual or biannual maintenance visits keep your permanent makeup looking fresh and vivid long-term.
Book Your Permanent Makeup Appointment in Little Falls
Ready to experience beautiful, low-maintenance permanent makeup at one of central Minnesota’s most trusted studios? At BeYOUtiful Ink in Little Falls, every client receives personalised aftercare guidance, written instructions, and ongoing support throughout the healing period. We’re here to make sure your results are everything you hoped for.
Browse our permanent makeup services and book your consultation at BeYOUtiful Ink today. Located at 62 E Broadway Ave, Suite 101, Little Falls, MN.
Frequently Asked Questions: Permanent Makeup Aftercare
1. Can I exercise after permanent makeup treatment?
Light walking is generally fine from day 1, but any exercise that produces significant sweating should be avoided for the first 7 to 10 days as part of your permanent makeup aftercare. Sweat is salty and slightly acidic — it can irritate the healing skin, disrupt the surface layer as it heals, and cause pigment to shed unevenly. After day 10, most clients can gradually return to their regular exercise routine, though it’s still wise to cleanse the treated area gently after workouts and apply a thin layer of aftercare ointment. If you’re a heavy exerciser or athlete, let your artist at BeYOUtiful Ink in Little Falls know during consultation so they can give you specific guidance tailored to your routine.
2. What skincare products should I avoid during permanent makeup aftercare?
During the healing period and long-term, several skincare product categories can interfere with permanent makeup results. Retinol and retinoids accelerate skin cell turnover, pushing pigment out of the skin faster — avoid these on or near treated areas indefinitely. AHAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid) and BHAs (salicylic acid) have similar exfoliating effects. Vitamin C serums can affect pigment tone over time. Benzoyl peroxide should also be avoided near tattooed areas. During the initial 2-week healing period, keep the aftercare protocol minimal — only your recommended ointment on the treated area, and standard gentle cleanser around it. After healing, you can resume your full skincare routine but keep the active ingredients away from the tattooed areas.
3. How do I clean the treated area during permanent makeup aftercare?
Cleaning the treated area correctly during the first week of permanent makeup aftercare is important. Use clean fingertips or a dampened cotton pad to gently wipe away any lymphatic fluid, dried ointment, or surface residue. Use only plain, lukewarm water or a very gentle, fragrance-free cleanser recommended by your artist. Do not scrub, rub, or use any cleansing tools like brushes or cloths on the treated area. After cleansing, gently pat completely dry — do not rub. Then apply a thin layer of your aftercare ointment using a clean cotton swab. This process should be done 2 to 3 times daily for the first week. Your artist at BeYOUtiful Ink in Little Falls will demonstrate this process and ensure you’re comfortable before you leave your appointment.
4. Is it normal for the treated area to itch during healing?
Yes — mild itching during the healing phase is a normal part of the permanent makeup aftercare process. The skin is repairing itself, and itching is a natural byproduct of that cellular activity. The important rule is: do not scratch. Scratching the treated area can remove surface skin before it’s ready to shed naturally, pulling pigment unevenly and creating patchiness in the healed result. If the itching is significant, a very thin application of your aftercare ointment can help soothe the sensation. Cool (not cold) compresses applied gently over the area can also provide temporary relief. If itching is accompanied by increasing redness, swelling, or discharge, contact BeYOUtiful Ink in Little Falls immediately as this could indicate an infection or allergic response requiring attention.
5. What if I accidentally get my permanent makeup wet during aftercare?
Accidental water exposure in the first week — a splash of water, caught in light rain — is not a catastrophe. Pat the area completely dry immediately and apply a thin layer of your aftercare ointment. The issue is prolonged or repeated water exposure: long showers directed at the face, swimming, steam rooms, or excessive sweating. These activities soften the healing skin surface and can cause premature pigment shedding. If you have regular activities that involve significant water exposure — swimming, water sports, jobs involving water — let your artist know before booking your permanent makeup appointment at BeYOUtiful Ink in Little Falls so they can advise on the best timing for your treatment and give you specific strategies for protecting the treated area during your normal routine.
