The aftercare for powder brows is very important, but how long after powder brows can you work out? We’ve done all the research and got a few tips to share to make your brows last as long as possible.
Main Takeaways
- Wait at least 7 days to work out after getting powder brows
- Sweat and water can interfere with the results
- Sweat will make your skin itch which may lead to irritation
- Swimming should be avoided for at least a month post treatment
What Are Powder Brows?
Powder brows (also known as ombre brows) are a semi-permanent eyebrow tattooing technique used to make the eyebrows appear fuller and more pigmented.
As opposed to microblading, powder brows utilize a machine to create a soft, shaded effect that is still shaped and defined.
Ombre powder brows are suitable for all skin types but work particularly well for those with oily skin.
how long after powder brows can I work out?
You should wait at least 7 days to work out after getting powder brows as the sweat may interfere with the healing of your brows.
The healing process usually takes 7 to 10 days on average and after this period of time, it is safe to do some mild exercise such as walking or yoga. Some eyebrow artists even recommend waiting 2 weeks to engage in exercise that causes any sweat.
Furthermore, exercising after getting your ombre powder brows done can cause a possible infection.
what happens if you sweat after powder brows?
Sweating can ruin your ombre powder brows. Although it will not completely fade away the results of the treatment, it can cause the pigmentation to isolate to specific areas and form a clump.
When you sweat, you are risking bacteria interfering with the healing process.
You’ll most likely already experience some side effects after getting powder brows such as redness, flakiness, and mild itchiness.
Bacteria and moisture from sweat will only make these side effects worse which will be highly irritating.
Also, sweat contains salt in it which has been shown to potentially pull the pigment from the skin, resulting in faded, not as defined brows.
When can you sweat after powder brows?
As a general rule, you should wait at least 7 days after your powder brow appointment to perform any kind of high-intensity workout that may produce sweating.
This is to avoid any complications with the tattoo and to ensure you don’t experience any infection. Furthermore, sweating often causes your skin to itch. Scratching your skin after a brow treatment is strictly forbidden.
can I work out BEFORE getting ombre brows?
It is also recommended to not exercise for a few days before getting your eyebrows done.
This is simply because sweating opens up the pores and will make it harder for the eyebrow artist to efficiently craft the perfect ombre brow.
It can also affect the color of the pigment used.
Can I swim after getting Powder brows?
Swimming should be avoided for a month after getting an ombre brow procedure done as chlorine is another chemical that has been proven to remove pigment.
Chlorine as well as salt water can irritate freshly tattooed skin as they can leach ink from the tattoo. This can make the tattoo less visible.
Water can also easily dry out your skin and so will delay healing. This can cause itching, red spots, and scabbing. You are also at risk of your tattoo fading quicker.
In general, it is best to avoid any sort of water and humidity after a semi-permanent tattoo procedure. Water can interfere with the results of the treatment and heat can irritate the area even further.
How To Care For Ombre Brows After Exercising
When you do decide to exercise after getting ombre brows, it is essential that you care for them properly.
Here are some tips to help you on your way:
Don’t Touch Your Eyebrows
After exercising, remember to not touch the eyebrow area whatsoever.
There is more than likely bacteria on your fingertips that will transfer to the brows and potentially cause infection.
If there is a little bit of sweat on your face, you don’t want to push that sweat anymore into the brow area as well.
So it’s best to not touch them in general before cleaning them.
Clean Area With Lukewarm Water
It’s extremely important that you clean the eyebrow area with lukewarm water right after you’re done exercising.
This will get rid of any sweat, moisture, and bacteria that are present and will prevent infection from happening.
To do this, very gently rinse the area with lukewarm water. Do not fully submerge the brows.
Then, gently pat (do not rub) the area dry with a clean paper towel.
You can also use a gentle cleanser, but make sure it does not have any extra ingredients or additives in it.
Avoid Sun Exposure
If you’re going to exercise outdoors, it is crucial that you wear a hat to protect your brows from the sun.
Eyebrow artists say to avoid sun exposure for not only the length of the healing process but for an entire 4 weeks after getting them initially done.
Direct sunlight can cause the pigment to change colors and fade.
In more extreme cases, sun exposure can even cause hyperpigmentation and scarring which will alter the appearance of the brows.
So if you’re going to work out, make sure it’s either indoors or outdoors with a protective hat.
Apply An Antiseptic Ointment
Applying an antiseptic ointment is recommended by a lot of eyebrow artists, especially within the first 2 weeks of getting your brows done.
Most of the time, your artist will give you an ointment that they want you to use or they will recommend one to buy.
When applying, use a clean Q-tip instead of your fingers to avoid any bacteria from getting to the area, as this can lead to infection.
Only apply a thin layer of the ointment on the brows.
Too much ointment will suffocate the brows, not allowing them to breathe, which interferes with the healing process.
Apply Sunscreen (After Completely Healed)
After at least one month of getting your ombre brows done, you should apply a thin layer of sunscreen to the brow area.
Even after the healing process, sun exposure can alter the appearance of the pigment of the brows.
Only apply a thin layer of sunscreen to the area.
You do not need too much, as this can suffocate the brows.
Do not do this until the brows are completely healed, as unhealed brows can become infected if you put any product on them.
What To Do If You Accidentally Sweat or Get Your Eyebrows Wet?
If you get your eyebrows wet from sweat or water by accident, don’t worry.
First off, assess how wet your brows are.
If they just were hit with a splash of water, or you walked outside in the rain, they’re probably fine.
However, if you went swimming in a pool or were in a steaming hot shower for an hour, you may have caused some damage.
If the latter happens to you, immediately pat the eyebrow dry with a clean paper towel.
Then, gently cleanse the area like you normally would and pat the area dry again.
After getting your ombre brows done, you’ll likely need to go in for a touch-up afterwards.
On average, this is usually 5 weeks after the initial application appointment. You cannot get a touch-up while the brows are still healing, so it’ll likely be after at least a month of getting them done.
During this touch-up appointment, your artist may be able to fix any damage that was done to the brows.
They will be able to answer all of your questions and will tell you exactly how to care for your brows moving forward.
So, when can I work out after getting powder brows?
You should wait at least 7 days to exercise after getting powder brows. If the healing process takes longer than 7 days, it is essential that you wait until your brows have completely healed before working out.
This is because your skin produces sweat and oil when exercising and this can interfere with the results of the treatment.
References
- https://www.healthline.com/health/body-modification/everything-you-need-to-know-about-swimming-with-fresh-ink
- https://www.healthline.com/health/tattoo-infection
- https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/tattoos/tattoo-skin-reactions
- https://www.uvskinz.com/blogs/live/how-to-protect-new-tattoos-from-sun-exposure
- https://www.aocd.org/page/Hyperpigmentation