Close-up of a Microblading LA client’s permanent lash-line eyeliner
MLA Resources

Permanent Eyeliner
Aftercare

Permanent eyeliner post-care is very important to the appearance and longevity of your new eyeliner. Please read the following aftercare instructions carefully:

Instructions

Eyeliner Aftercare

First 48 Hours

Eyes may feel swollen, tender, and puffy. The eyeliner will appear very dark and thick — this is normal and will soften significantly as it heals.

Apply a cold compress near the eye area (not directly on the tattoo) to reduce swelling. Do not rub or touch your eyes. Sleep with your head slightly elevated to minimize swelling.

Tearing and slight crusting around the lash line is normal during the first 24–48 hours.

Day 1–3

Apply a thin layer of aftercare ointment with a clean cotton swab along the eyeliner area
Avoid getting water directly on the eyeliner area when washing your face or showering
Do not wear contact lenses for at least 72 hours after the procedure
Avoid all eye makeup — mascara, eyeshadow, and eyeliner

Day 4–7

Peeling and flaking begins. The color will appear lighter as the top layer of skin sheds. Do not pick, peel, or scratch — let flaking occur naturally. Continue gentle ointment application. You may resume wearing contact lenses.

Week 2

Peeling is complete and color appears light. You can return to your normal routines, including eye makeup. Color continues to surface and settle through week 6 for optimal results.

14-Day Restrictions

◆Increased sweating
◆Practicing sports
◆Swimming
◆Hot sauna, hot bath, or Jacuzzi
◆Sun tanning or salon tanning
◆Exposure to UV/UVA Rays or chemicals as they have been known to cause a shift in color and premature fading
◆Any laser or chemical treatments or peelings, and/or any creams containing Retin-A or Glycolic acid near the eye area
◆Picking, peeling, or scratching of the micro pigmented area in order to avoid scarring of the area or removal of the pigment
◆Performing tasks related to heavy household cleaning such as garage or basement cleaning where there is a lot of airborne debris
◆Drinking alcohol in excess, as it may lead to slow healing of wounds
◆Driving in open air vehicles such as convertibles, boats, bicycles, or motorcycles
◆Touching of the eyeliner area except for when applying the post-care ointment
◆Wearing eye makeup (mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliner) for 10 days
◆Using eyelash curlers for 2 weeks
Medical Alert

If you have any unexpected problems with the healing of the skin, please contact Microblading LA immediately, to discuss further instructions.

Seek medical care immediately if you notice fever, spreading redness, red streaks or pus; then let us know. For your eyes, also see a doctor promptly for eye pain, vision changes, light sensitivity or thick discharge.

Healing Timeline

What to Expect During and After Your Eyeliner Session

The entire healing process will take from 6–8 weeks depending on your body regeneration and age. Your new eyeliner will go through several phases during the healing cycle.

FIRST 48 HOURS

Eyes may feel swollen, tender, and puffy. Eyeliner appears very dark and thick. Apply a cold compress near the area (not directly on the tattoo) to reduce swelling. Do not rub or touch your eyes. Sleep with head elevated. Tearing and slight crusting along the lash line is normal.

DAY 1–3

Apply a thin layer of aftercare ointment with a clean cotton swab. Avoid getting water directly on the eyeliner area. Do not wear contact lenses for 72 hours. Avoid all eye makeup — mascara, eyeshadow, and eyeliner.

DAY 4–7

Peeling and flaking begins. Color will appear lighter as the top layer of skin sheds. Do not pick, peel, or scratch — let flaking occur naturally. Continue gentle ointment application. You may resume wearing contact lenses.

WEEK 2

Peeling is complete and color appears light. Return to normal routines, including eye makeup. Color continues to surface and settle through week 6.

Fully Healed

WEEK 6–8

Full healing achieved. Your eyeliner has settled into its final color and shape — a soft, natural enhancement that frames your eyes beautifully. Most clients require two sessions for optimal results.

After Healing

Once completely healed, apply SPF 30–50 sunscreen around the eye area when exposed to the sun. Sun exposure can cause the pigment to fade more quickly.

Most clients require two sessions for optimal results. Your touch-up appointment is typically scheduled 6–8 weeks after the initial procedure.

The final color and thickness of your eyeliner will be apparent once healing is fully complete. The result is a softer, more natural look than immediately after the procedure.

Enjoy your effortless, beautiful eyeliner — every single day.

Common Questions

Eyeliner Aftercare FAQ

The full healing process takes approximately 6–8 weeks. During the first 48 hours, expect swelling and puffiness around the eyes. Peeling typically occurs between days 4–7. By week 2, peeling is complete and you can return to normal routines including eye makeup. Color continues to settle through week 6, at which point your eyeliner is fully healed.

Yes, swelling is very common and expected in the first 24–48 hours. Your eyes may feel puffy, tender, and slightly watery. Apply a cold compress near the eye area (not directly on the tattoo) to reduce swelling. Sleeping with your head slightly elevated also helps. The swelling typically subsides significantly by day 2–3.

You should avoid all eye makeup — including mascara, eyeshadow, and eyeliner — for at least 10 days after the procedure. This prevents irritation and allows the pigment to heal properly. By week 2, once peeling is complete, you can safely return to your normal eye makeup routine.

Do not wear contact lenses for at least 72 hours (3 days) after the procedure. Your eyes will be sensitive and the area needs time to begin healing without the irritation of inserting and removing lenses. After day 3, you may resume wearing contacts as comfort allows.

This is completely normal. Immediately after the procedure, the eyeliner will appear much darker and thicker than the final result. As healing progresses, the color will soften significantly — especially during the peeling phase (days 4–7) when it may lighten by 30–50%. The final, softer result becomes apparent around weeks 6–8.

Most permanent eyeliner treatments require two sessions for optimal results. Your touch-up appointment is typically scheduled 6–8 weeks after the initial procedure, once your eyeliner is fully healed. This allows your artist to perfect the line, fill any areas where pigment may have healed unevenly, and adjust the intensity to your preference.

Contact Microblading LA if you have unexpected problems with healing. Seek medical care immediately if you notice fever, spreading redness, red streaks or pus; then let us know. For your eyes, also see a doctor promptly for eye pain, vision changes, light sensitivity or thick discharge.

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