Permanent eyeliner is an excellent long-term solution for anyone who frequently wears eyeliner. It saves you time in the morning, eliminates running and smudging, and improves your appearance by making you look glammed up 24/7.
You’ll have the perfect eyeliner look in no time with a quick cosmetic tattooing session.
However, there is a brief aftercare period during which you must take special care of the treated area. If you’ve been considering the procedure, here are the aftercare instructions for permanent eyeliners. These are just our recommendations.
💬 Wondering if this treatment is right for you?
👉 Book a free consultation
Dos
- Have sunglasses available. Eyes may be a little bit sensitive or even dilated immediately after. The sunglasses are also handy for hiding puffy eyes.
- Eyes will be swollen for a few days. Eyes may feel dry or irritated. Lubricating refresher drops may be used.
Don’ts
- Do not use any ointment, oil, liquids, or Vaseline during the healing period.
- Do not dye, perm, or use eyelash curlers for 2 weeks.
- Do not use mascara until outer healing is complete (3-5 days). Most clients are returning to work in 2 days and are noncompliant about this, so at least begin with a new tube of mascara due to the risk of bacterial presence in used tubes.
- No heavy workouts for 7 days. Avoid sweating.
- Do not scratch or touch your eyeliners for at least 2 weeks.
- Do not sleep on your eyeliners for at least 2 weeks.
- No sunbathing or tanning for 4 weeks.
- No chemical peels, mesotherapy, dermabrasion, Botox, or any other intense treatments for 4 weeks. Sometimes residual pigment, blood, white blood cells, etc., can arise from the open wound. If this occurs, you should gently dab this away. Don’t panic if dry patches or scabs appear as this can be taken care of during the second touch-up appointment.
Avoid Petroleum Jelly or Vaseline during your healing period. Anything with a petroleum base can cause a reaction, crusting, scabbing, and sweating so the skin is not able to breathe.
Aftercare is vital to achieving beautiful & lasting results.
What’s normal?
- Mild swelling, itching, light scabbing, light bruising, and dry tightness. Ice packs are a nice relief for swelling and bruising. Aftercare balm is nice for scabbing and tightness.
- Too dark and slightly uneven appearance. After 2-7 days the darkness will fade and once swelling dissipates, unevenness usually disappears. If they are too dark or still a bit uneven after 4 weeks, we will make necessary adjustments during the touch-up appointment.
- Color change or color loss. As the procedure area heals, the color lightens and sometimes seems to disappear. This can all be addressed during the touch-up appointment and this is why the touch-up is necessary.
_The procedure area must be completely healed before addressing any concerns. This usually takes about four weeks._It is also very useful to familiarize yourself with the procedures forpermanent eyelash extensions andsemi-permanent eye shadow application — together, they provide expressive, long-lasting eye makeup and allow you to look flawless at any time of the day without any extra effort.
Healing Process
- If you keep the PMU area clean and dry, only a thin film (not a scab) will appear after 4-7 days. It will peel off itself in 7-10 days (do NOT peel it off). After the film peels off, you can still feel some dryness; in this case, clean or disinfect the area with a small amount of coconut or grapeseed oil. Be careful with any cleaning in the affected area. The full healing period is 4-6 weeks.
- If there is any contact with water (long shower, swimming pool, sauna, or jacuzzi), sebum or sweat, the wound will expand and cause a scab. The scab will result in itching and peeling of the pigment. If you scratch the scab, a scar or white spot can appear and no pigment will be left there.
Why Get Permanent Makeup Touch-Ups?
Permanent makeup can change for a variety of reasons. Tanning, sun exposure, makeup removers, skin-care products, and your skin’s natural exfoliation process can all cause fading. When exposed to these elements, the color oxidizes, causing brown to turn into pink and black to turn into blue. For these reasons, scheduling a touch-up appointment every few years is essential.
If you decide not to make a touch-up appointment, please bear in mind that the price for the next procedure might be higher.
Always make an appointment with a skilled permanent eyeliner tattoo artist who is professional, licensed, certified, and concerned with your needs and comfort. Contact ANNA KARA today for more information or to schedule your obligation-free permanent eyeliner consultation.
FAQ
🔍 What is permanent eyeliner?
Permanent eyeliner is a convenient and long-lasting solution for those who want to always look well-groomed. It saves time on makeup, does not smudge, and emphasizes the eyes 24/7. The procedure is quick, and the result lasts for a long time. However, it is important to take proper care of your skin after application.
⚠️ How to prepare for the procedure?
- Bring sunglasses — they will protect your eyes from light and help hide any swelling.
- Your eyes may be slightly swollen, sensitive, and dry. Use moisturizing eye drops.
❌ What not to do after the procedure:
- Do not apply creams, ointments, or petroleum jelly.
- Do not dye your eyelashes or use eyelash curlers for 2 weeks.
- Do not use mascara until the area has healed (3–5 days). If you do use mascara, only use a new one.
- Avoid strenuous exercise and sweating for a week.
- Do not touch, rub, or wet the area for 2 weeks.
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning for at least 4 weeks.
- Do not undergo peels, injections, laser treatments, or other procedures for at least one month.
✅ Normal reactions after the procedure:
- Slight swelling, itching, dryness, and small scabs are a natural reaction.
- The shade may be darker and slightly uneven, but this will disappear within a week.
- Temporary lightening or loss of color can be corrected during a follow-up visit.
🔄 Healing process:
- After 4–7 days, a thin film will appear, which will fall off on its own. Do not peel it off.
- Complete healing takes 4–6 weeks.
- A scab may appear upon contact with moisture or sweat — do not rub it to avoid damaging the result.
Popular services in San Diego
- Microblading in San Diego
- Permanent Eyebrows in San Diego
- Permanent Eyeliners in San Diego
- Inkless Stretch Mark in San Diego
- BB Glow in San Diego
🎯 Not sure where to start?
✅ Get personalized recommendations from a PMU artist
