PERMANENT EYELINER AFTERCARE

Proper aftercare is essential for comfortable healing and beautiful pigment retention. Please follow these instructions carefully throughout the healing process.

FIRST 24 HOURS

Your eyelids may appear slightly swollen, red, or tender immediately after the procedure. This is normal and usually improves within the first 24–48 hours.

• Keep the treated area clean and dry.
• Do not touch, rub, scratch, or pick at the eyeliner.
• Always wash your hands before touching anywhere near your eyes.
• If needed, gently blot excess moisture with a clean, dry tissue. Do not wipe or rub.
• Avoid applying makeup, skincare products, cleansers, creams, oils, or serums directly to the treated area.
• Mild swelling can occur. A clean, cool compress may be placed near the area without rubbing or applying pressure.

DAYS 1–7

During the first week, the eyeliner may appear darker, thicker, or more intense than the final result. As the skin heals, it will gradually soften.

• Keep the area clean and avoid prolonged moisture.
• Follow the aftercare product instructions provided by your artist, if applicable. Use only a very thin layer—more product is not better.
• Do not pick, peel, scratch, or remove any flaking or crusting. Allow it to shed naturally.
• Avoid eye makeup, including mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and makeup applied directly around the healing area.
• Avoid eyelash serums and other active products around the lash line until the skin has healed.
• Avoid swimming, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and prolonged exposure to water.
• Avoid excessive sweating and activities that repeatedly soak the treated area.
• When showering, avoid directing strong water pressure onto your eyes.
• Avoid facials, peels, exfoliation, retinoids, acids, or other active skincare products around the treated area.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHILE HEALING

Days 1–2:
The eyeliner usually appears darker and more defined than expected. Mild redness, tenderness, or swelling may occur.

Days 3–7:
The area may feel dry or slightly tight. Light flaking can begin. The pigment may look uneven as different areas heal at different speeds.

Days 7–14:
Flaking typically subsides. The eyeliner may temporarily appear much lighter or softer. This does not necessarily mean the pigment has disappeared.

Weeks 3–6:
The color continues to settle and become more visible as the skin completes its healing cycle. The final healed result should be evaluated only after the area has fully healed.

Healing varies from person to person, so your timeline may be slightly different.

WHAT IS NORMAL?

During healing, it can be normal to experience:

• Mild swelling or redness
• Slight tenderness
• Temporary tightness or dryness
• Light flaking
• Darker pigment immediately after treatment
• Uneven or patchy-looking color during healing
• A temporarily lighter appearance after flaking

Do not judge your final result during the first few weeks.

WHAT TO AVOID

Until the treated area has healed, avoid:

• Picking, scratching, peeling, or rubbing
• Eye makeup directly on the healing area
• Lash extensions or lash-lift treatments
• Swimming and hot tubs
• Saunas and steam rooms
• Excessive sweating
• Facials and treatments around the eyes
• Retinol, retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, exfoliants, and other active skincare around the treated area
• Direct sun exposure and tanning
• Applying unapproved creams, oils, ointments, or cosmetics to the healing skin

CONTACT LENSES

If you normally wear contact lenses, follow the instructions provided by your artist regarding when to resume wearing them. Glasses are preferable immediately following the procedure if your eyes feel sensitive or swollen.

LASH EXTENSIONS

If you wear lash extensions, they should be removed before your permanent eyeliner appointment when instructed by your artist.

Do not have new extensions applied until the eyeliner has healed sufficiently. Applying extensions too soon can irritate the healing lash line and increase exposure to adhesive and manipulation.

EXERCISE

Light activity is generally preferable during the initial healing period. Avoid workouts that cause heavy sweating around the face during the first several days, as excessive moisture and repeated wiping can interfere with healing.

SUN EXPOSURE

Once fully healed, protect the area from excessive UV exposure. Sun exposure can contribute to premature fading and changes in pigment appearance over time.

Do not apply sunscreen directly to freshly treated skin. Resume appropriate sun protection only after the area has healed.

YOUR HEALED RESULT

Permanent eyeliner is designed to heal softer and more subtle than it appears immediately after the procedure.

Pigment retention varies between clients and can be influenced by skin characteristics, lifestyle, aftercare, medications, sun exposure, and individual healing response.

Some areas may heal lighter than others. This is why the healed result—not the appearance during the first few days—is used to determine whether additional refinement is needed.

PERFECTING SESSION

A perfecting session may be recommended after the initial treatment once the skin has completely healed.

At this appointment, we can evaluate pigment retention and refine areas that healed lighter or require additional definition.

Please do not schedule or perform a touch-up before the skin has completed the recommended healing period.

LONG-TERM CARE

To help maintain your permanent eyeliner:

• Protect the area from excessive sun exposure.
• Avoid repeatedly applying aggressive exfoliating or resurfacing products directly over the tattooed area.
• Follow appropriate skincare and sun-protection practices.
• Schedule a color refresh when the pigment has noticeably softened over time.

Permanent makeup gradually fades and is intended to soften naturally over time.

WHEN TO CONTACT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL

Mild swelling, tenderness, and redness can occur after permanent eyeliner. However, increasing pain, significant or worsening swelling, spreading redness, warmth, pus or unusual discharge, fever, vision changes, severe eye pain, or other concerning symptoms are not considered routine healing.

If you experience significant eye symptoms, signs of infection, an allergic reaction, or anything that concerns you, seek prompt medical evaluation. Contact your permanent makeup artist as well so we are aware of the situation.

IMPORTANT

Your healed result depends not only on the procedure itself, but also on how your skin heals afterward. Do not pick, rush, or interfere with the healing process.

When in doubt, leave the area alone and allow your skin to heal naturally.