Microblading aftercare tips: The worst things you can do during the healing phase
When it comes to in-clinic treatments we all know that there is always aftercare advice to follow, but let's be honest, we can slip up at times. We aren't perfect and sometimes a hot shower after trudging through the city post-appointment is inviting, am I right? Well, as tempting as it feels to toss away your aftercare leaflet, how well you look after your treated area when you leave your appointment is directly linked to how long your treatment lasts and, for skin-specific treatments, how quickly you heal.
Summer's an especially tough time to get in-clinic treatments as there are a lot of potential hazards to avoid; with sweaty weather, sun exposure and potential pool dips all at play. Microblading is a treatment that aftercare is intrinsically linked to outcome so we spoke to expert Karen Betts, to reveal her top tips for maintaining perfect brows post-appointment, the worst thing you can do to freshly-microbladed brows and how to avoid aftercare regrets.
"Proper aftercare is crucial to ensure optimal healing and long-lasting results from microblading," says Betts. The 7–10 days after treatment are the delicate 'healing phase', so here's her tips for getting through that initial phase...
'The most detrimental action is picking or scratching at the brows during the healing phase,' says Betts. 'This can remove pigment, cause patchiness, delay healing, and even risk scarring. Additionally, neglecting aftercare instructions, such as exposing the brows to excessive moisture or sun, can compromise the results.'
Karen Betts one of the UK's leading authority on permanent makeup. She is the founder of Karen Betts clinics in London's Mayfair, Cheshire and Yorkshire
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
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But everyone I spoke with, who has far more experience dating queer people than I do, agrees: Finding what you love about yourself within, not through another person, is key here. For me, that started with showing up for myself in queer spaces, which is the most accepting and open community I've ever been apart of. But that doesn't make them perfect. When I'm in a room full of other gay people, I'm forced to put aside my self-doubt if I want to feel comfortable. It would have been easy for me to walk into a queer party and immediately turn around because I was terrified of putting myself out there or being rejected. But I remember that this is part of the process. I'll never feel more reassured if I walk away. People have also encouraged me that these feelings start to dissipate over time. Lux noticed her self-esteem went up when she finally started having relationships with queer people. She and her partners often shared insecurities, so they understand what it's like firsthand. 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She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
