Top Mistakes People Make After Getting Their Brows Done
A perfect brow treatment can be ruined quickly by the wrong habits. Whether you had microblading, tinting, waxing or lamination, the healing stage determines how your brows look long term. Many people experience fading, irritation or uneven results not because of the treatment itself, but due to preventable mistakes in the days that follow.
This guide highlights the top brow treatment mistakes to avoid and how to protect your investment from day one.
Mistake 1: Touching or Picking at the Brows
After brow services, the skin may feel itchy, tight or flaky. Touching or scratching seems harmless, but it affects healing and color retention.
Why it causes problems:
Introduces bacteria
Lifts pigment early
Delays healing
Causes patchy spots
Better approach:
Keep hands off
If itchy, lightly tap around the area
Use recommended ointments only if advised
Mistake 2: Applying Makeup Too Soon 💄
Foundation, powder and brow pencils can interfere with healing and cause irritation.
What to avoid:
Concealer around brows
Brow pomades and powders
Any tinted skincare
Safe timeline:
Wait 7 to 10 days before adding any makeup near the treated area unless your artist gives other instructions.
Mistake 3: Getting Brows Wet Too Early
Moisture affects pigment bonding and can soften scabs before they are ready to fall off.
Watch out for:
Long showers
Sweating at the gym
Swimming
Steam rooms or saunas
Best practice:
Clean around the brows with a damp cotton pad and avoid full saturation for the first week.
Mistake 4: Over-Plucking or Trimming
Some clients still pluck stray hairs during healing. This causes irritation and changes the brow shape.
Avoid:
Tweezing around fresh strokes
Trimming hair too close
Threading or waxing touch-ups
Let the area heal completely before grooming again.
Mistake 5: Sleeping on Your Face 😴
Pressure and friction from pillows can distort healing and remove pigment.
Try these tips:
Sleep on your back
Use a clean pillowcase
Avoid rubbing eyes or brows during sleep
Mistake 6: Using Skincare with Active Ingredients
Products with exfoliating or lightening ingredients interfere with healed brows.
Avoid around the brow area:
Retinol
AHAs and BHAs
Vitamin C serums
Acne treatments
Use gentle cleansers and plain moisturizers until the area has healed fully.
Mistake 7: Skipping Sunscreen After Healing
Once healed, sun exposure speeds up fading.
Protect your results:
Apply SPF around brows daily
Wear a hat during long sun exposure
Avoid tanning beds
Mistake 8: Ignoring Artist Instructions
Every treatment comes with specific aftercare based on skin type, pigment and technique. Skipping instructions leads to uneven results.
Always:
Use only approved ointments
Follow cleaning directions
Book touch-ups when recommended
What To Do Instead ✅
Protecting your brows comes down to a few core habits:
Keep the area clean and dry
Avoid unnecessary touching
Follow your artist’s aftercare plan
Stay away from sweating and sun exposure
Do not apply makeup during healing
Be gentle with skincare
When to Contact Your Brow Artist
Reach out if you notice:
Excessive redness or swelling
Oozing or strong itching
Uneven pigment loss
Unexpected dark spots or irritation
Early action prevents long-term issues.
Final Takeaway
A flawless brow treatment depends on what you do after your appointment. Most fading and irritation issues are avoidable with the right care. Avoid touching, sweating, makeup and harsh skincare until your brows fully heal. Protect the area and follow the plan your artist gives you to keep your results fresh and even.