How Long Does Microblading Take to Heal?
Microblading takes 7-10 days for the initial healing phase and 4-6 weeks for complete healing. At Bonita Beauty Bar in Cranebrook, we guide you through each stage with detailed aftercare instructions to ensure optimal colour retention and beautiful, natural-looking results.
Microblading healing timeline:
Days 1-2: Initial healing
- Brows appear darker and bolder than final result (up to 40% darker)
- Slight redness and tenderness around the brow area
- Lymph fluid may appear (clear, sticky substance)
- What to do: Keep completely dry, apply aftercare ointment as directed
Days 3-7: Scabbing phase
- Small scabs form over the tattooed area
- Brows may feel tight and itchy (do not scratch!)
- Colour appears very dark before scabs shed
- What to do: Let scabs fall naturally, avoid picking, keep dry
Days 8-14: Scab shedding
- Scabs begin to flake off naturally
- Colour appears 50% lighter than initial application
- Some patchiness is normal during this phase
- What to do: Continue gentle cleansing, avoid makeup on brows
Days 15-28: Colour settling
- True colour begins to emerge
- Skin regenerates underneath
- Brows may appear too light (this is normal!)
- What to do: Be patient, avoid judging final results yet
Weeks 4-6: Complete healing
- Final colour and shape visible
- Skin fully healed at surface and deeper layers
- Ready for 6-week touch-up appointment
- What to do: Book your perfecting touch-up ($220)
Factors affecting healing time:
- Age: Younger skin (under 30) heals faster
- Skin type: Oily skin may take slightly longer
- Aftercare compliance: Following instructions speeds healing
- Overall health: Good nutrition and hydration support healing
With 4 cosmetic tattooing certifications and 600+ brow procedures completed, our Cranebrook studio ensures proper technique for optimal healing. Book your microblading consultation.
What Not to Do After Microblading?
After microblading, avoid getting your brows wet for 7-10 days. Do not pick at scabs, skip makeup on the brow area, and avoid exercising that causes sweating. Also, stay away from swimming pools, saunas, and direct sun exposure. At Bonita Beauty Bar in Cranebrook, we provide a detailed aftercare kit with printed instructions to ensure perfect healing.
Critical DON’Ts for the first 10 days:
❌ Do NOT get your brows wet:
- No face-down showers
- No swimming (chlorine fades pigment)
- No steam rooms or saunas
- No face washing directly over brows
- Use a damp cloth to cleanse around the area only
❌ Do NOT touch, pick, or scratch:
- Picking scabs removes pigment and causes scarring
- Scratching can introduce bacteria
- Let scabs fall off naturally (usually days 5-10)
- Resist the urge even when itchy!
❌ Do NOT apply makeup to brows:
- No brow pencils, powders, or gels for 10 days
- Makeup can introduce bacteria to healing skin
- Eye makeup is fine, just avoid the brow area
- Wait until all scabs have shed completely
❌ Do NOT exercise or sweat heavily:
- Sweat contains salt that draws out pigment
- Avoid gym, hot yoga, running for 7-10 days
- Light walking is okay
- Resume normal exercise after scabs shed
❌ Do NOT expose brows to sun:
- UV rays fade pigment during healing
- Wear a hat when outdoors
- No tanning beds for 4 weeks
- Apply SPF 50+ after healing (week 2+)
❌ Do NOT use these products near brows:
- Oil-based cleansers or moisturisers
- Retinol or anti-ageing creams
- Exfoliants or chemical peels
- Glycolic acid or AHAs
- Makeup removers containing oil
What you SHOULD do:
- ✅ Apply aftercare ointment as directed (usually 2-3 times daily)
- ✅ Sleep on your back (avoid face-down)
- ✅ Keep the area clean and dry
- ✅ Take photos to track healing progress
- ✅ Contact us immediately if you notice infection signs
Why aftercare matters:
- Proper aftercare = 60-80% pigment retention
- Poor aftercare = 30-50% pigment retention (patchy results)
- Following instructions ensures you get the brows you paid for!
Our Cranebrook clients receive a comprehensive aftercare kit including antimicrobial ointment, printed instructions, and 24/7 text support during healing. With 15 years experience and 600+ successful procedures, we’ve perfected the aftercare process. Book your microblading appointment.
