Before getting ombre brows done, it’s crucial that you prep them accordingly. In this article, we provide you with an easy guide on how to prepare for ombre brows.
Before getting ombre brows, it’s important that you avoid tanning, waxing, alcohol, caffeine, and working out either the day of the appointment or several days prior. On the day of the appointment, make sure you tell your eyebrow artist what you want your brows to look like to avoid disappointment.
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What Are Ombre Brows?
Ombre brows are a semi-permanent eyebrow tattooing technique that leaves the brows looking fuller and more defined.
Compared to microblading, which uses fine hair-like strokes of pigment, eyebrow artists use a machine much like a traditional tattooing machine.
This machine deposits tiny dots of pigment into the skin for a shaded or powdered-in effect.
To get the ombre effect, the eyebrow artist will saturate the dots the least in the inner brow and gradually saturate them more towards the end of the brow.
In some cases, they will even use a slightly lighter shade for the inner brow and a slightly darker shade for the back half of the brow.
This depends on what kind of look you are going for which will be discussed in the consultation before the appointment.
The permanent makeup pigments most eyebrow artists typically use are called iron oxide-based pigments.
These are completely safe to use on the skin and absorb into the skin over time.
Many artists also carry non-iron oxide-based pigments for people with an allergy to iron.
How To Prepare For Ombre Brows
Preparing for your initial ombre brow appointment is one of the most important things in making sure your brows come out looking as best as they possibly can.
Here are 5 easy pre-care instructions for ombre brows that you’ll want to follow:
Step 1: Hydrate and Eat A Healthy Meal
Your body functions best when you’re properly hydrating and being given the correct nutrition.
On the morning or day of your ombre brow appointment, make sure you are fully hydrated and that you have had something healthy and filling to eat.
Step 2: Cleanse Your Face
Washing your face every day is important for skin health.
Specifically, it’s crucial to cleanse your face on the morning of your appointment to make sure no bacteria or build-up is present on the skin.
Use a gentle cleanser, like this one from Cerave, and do not use any harsh skin care products like chemical peels or exfoliants, as these are more likely to irritate the area.
Step 3: Wash Your Hair
On the morning of your appointment, you’re going to want to wash your hair to make sure it’s fresh and clean.
It is advised that you do not wash your hair 48 to 72 hours after getting ombre brows done to avoid getting the eyebrow area wet.
Washing your hair the morning of the appointment will ensure that your hair stays clean for the next 2 to 3 days.
Step 4: Prep Brows
Eyebrow artists typically allow you to come in with your eyebrows already filled in so they can see what you’re used to.
They will remove the makeup before they tattoo the brows, but a lot of them do appreciate seeing how you typically fill in your brows.
If you don’t usually fill in your brows, bring inspiration pictures of what you’d like your brows to look like.
With so many different styles of brows out there, it’s essential that you are clear with your eyebrow artist on what style you like best.
Step 5: Show Up For Appointment On Time
Most eyebrow artists work on a tight schedule, so their time is precious.
Be sure to show up 5 to 10 minutes early for the appointment, so they can get you all set up and have the allotted time necessary to apply your brows.
Showing up more than 15 minutes late will likely result in a late fee and a need to reschedule. In some cases, the artist may have you go to someone else.
Step 6: Communicate With Your Eyebrow Artist
Before the procedure is done, you and the eyebrow artist will have a consultation.
During this time, it’s important that you not only talk about what you want your brows to look like but also your sensitivity level.
Most eyebrow artists will use a topical numbing cream to minimize any discomfort.
Also, keep in mind that you will likely be more sensitive during your menstrual cycle.
What Not To Do Before Getting Ombre Brows Done
Along with the things that you should do before getting ombre brows done, a lot of the prep work lies in what you should not do before the appointment.
Here are some of the most common things eyebrow artists recommend that you do not do before getting ombre brows:
1. Do Not Work Out On Day Of Appointment
On the day of your appointment, you should avoid working out.
This is because working out causes sweat which opens up the pores.
This can make it difficult for the eyebrow artist to efficiently apply the ombre brows.
Also, since oil is present on the skin, it can cause the pigment to not retain in the skin as well.
Another reason why you don’t want to work out on the day of your appointment is that you don’t want any bacteria getting in the area that may cause an infection.
2. Do Not Drink Caffeine on Day Of Appointment
Drinking caffeine can cause excessive bleeding which will get in the way of the eyebrow artist’s ability to best apply your ombre brows.
It may also make the pigment not retain in the skin as well.
Do Not Drink Alcohol 24 Hours Before Appointment
Like caffeine, drinking alcohol can also cause excessive bleeding.
If you are bleeding a lot, the pigment won’t be able to penetrate the skin, so it will appear more faded.
Excessive bleeding can also cause the eyebrow artist to not see what they are doing as well.
Do Not Go Tanning Thirty Days Before Appointment
Do not go tanning in a tanning bed two weeks to thirty days before the appointment.
The UV rays can cause the color pigment to not attach to the skin so well.
Since tanning also exfoliates the skin and makes it peel, the pigment will likely also peel away, causing it to not last as long and not be as defined.
Also, avoid tanning in the sun or excessive sun exposure.
If you have sunburn on the day of your appointment, they will likely want to reschedule your appointment.
Do Not Wax/Tint Brows Seven Days Before Appointment
It is important that you do not wax or tint your eyebrows at least Seven days before your appointment.
This can irritate the area, causing it to be more sensitive, which may cause more pain.
Also, your eyebrow artist will tweeze them and shape them as necessary, so leave that up to them.
Ombre Brows Aftercare
Besides preparation, aftercare is the most important part of making sure your ombre brows heal and look the best that they possibly can.
Here are some aftercare tips that you should follow:
Ombre Brows Post-Care Instructions
For the first 1-2 days, you want to make sure you are cleaning the area every few hours using an antiseptic wipe or baby wipe.
Be careful not to rub the area. Use gentle circular motions or lightly tap the area clean.
For the next 3-7 days, you want to wash your eyebrows and face every morning and night.
Plus, most eyebrow artists will recommend that you use an ointment once a day to hydrate the area.
Apply a very thin layer of the ointment with a q-tip so no bacteria transmits from your fingertips to the ombre brows.
What To Expect After Getting Ombre Brows Done
The healing process can be irritating for most people, so it’s important to know what to expect.
One thing that happens to most people is scabbing.
Scabbing is a completely normal part of the healing process that you shouldn’t worry too much about.
Only be worried if there is excessive scabbing that doesn’t go away after fourteen days.
It’s important to not pick or scratch at the scab, although it might be tempting. Instead, let the scab fall off on its own.
Also, it is normal to experience swelling, redness, or itchiness for a few days after the procedure.
The most important thing is that you do not touch the eyebrow area whatsoever.
It may be a bit bothersome, but touching your eyebrows with your fingers can lead to infection.
What To Avoid After Ombre Brows
It is also essential that you know what to avoid during the ombre brow healing process.
The number one thing you want to avoid is getting them wet.
This means no submerging your face completely in water, no taking long steamy showers, no swimming pools, etc.
If you do happen to get a splash of water on them, it shouldn’t be anything to worry too much about. Just gently pat the area dry with a clean towel or napkin.
Another thing you should avoid is working out.
Sweat is a form of moisture that can interfere with the healing process.
Sweat has salt in it which can pull out the pigment and cause the brows to fade faster. Also, since sweat causes bacteria, it can cause an infection to the ombre brows.
Lastly, you should not wear any makeup during the healing process.
Makeup clogs the pores and doesn’t allow the brows to heal properly.
In addition, makeup can cause oil to be present on the skin which can make the pigment fade faster and not last as long.