If I had a dollar for every DM that starts with “Is this normal?” during the healing phase, I’d retire early.

I’m Ms Amber Red, and after over a decade in the permanent makeup industry, I can tell you this with certainty: the healing process is where most confusion, panic, and bad decisions happen—for both clients and artists.

This guide is here to clear the noise.

Whether you’re a client who just left your appointment and keeps checking the mirror every hour, or an artist trying to better educate your clients (and save yourself from after-hours texts), this is the real, no-BS permanent makeup healing timeline for brows, lips, and eyeliner.

Why the Permanent Makeup Healing Timeline Matters

Permanent makeup is not instant gratification. It’s a process, and healing plays a massive role in final results.

For Clients:

• Your PMU will look too dark, too bold, or too intense at first

• Flaking, fading, and color shifts are normal

• What you see on Day 1 is not your final result

For Artists:

• Most “issues” are actually normal healing stages

• Education upfront = fewer panicked messages later

• A confident artist creates a confident client

Healing education is part of the service. Period.

The General Permanent Makeup Healing Timeline (All Procedures)

Before we break it down by service, here’s the big-picture timeline most PMU procedures follow:

Days 1–3: Bold & Fresh

• Color appears darker and more intense

• Mild swelling or redness

• Clients may question their life choices

Days 4–10: Flaking & Fading

• Peeling or flaking begins

• Color may look patchy or uneven

• This is where clients spiral if unprepared

Days 11–28: Ghosting Phase

• Color can fade dramatically

• Brows or lips may look “gone”

• Pigment is settling below the skin

Weeks 6–8: Color Returns

• Pigment resurfaces

• True healed color appears

• Time for touch-up evaluation

I tell clients all the time: trust the process or you’ll stress yourself out for no reason.

Permanent Eyebrow Healing Timeline - Microblading (Hair Strokes), Powder, Combo

Brows are usually the most dramatic heal visually—especially for first-timers.

Days 1–3: “Why Are They So Dark?”

• Brows appear 30–40% darker

• Shape looks sharper and more defined

• Mild redness around the area

Real-life moment:
I once had a client text me 12 hours post-procedure saying, “Amber… I look angry.”
Two weeks later? She was sending selfies saying she wished she’d done it years ago.

Days 4–7: Flaking Begins

• Scabbing or flaking is normal

• Clients should not pick

• Color underneath may look lighter

Days 8–14: Patchy & Uneven

• Some areas fade faster than others

• Brows may look incomplete

• This is not a failure—it’s skin biology

Weeks 4–6: Color Stabilizes

• Pigment resurfaces

• Shape softens

• Touch-up fills any gaps

Artist Notes: What Clients Should NOT Do

• No sweating, saunas, or workouts for 7–10 days

• No makeup on brows during flaking

• No picking, scratching, or exfoliating

Lip Blush Healing Timeline (This One Freaks People Out)

Lips heal loud. If clients aren’t prepared, they panic.

Days 1–2: Swollen & Bright

• Lips appear bold, red, or vibrant

• Swelling is normal

• Color looks nothing like the healed result

Real-life example:
I’ve had clients look in the mirror Day 1 and say, “We didn’t choose red.”
Correct. You didn’t. What you’re seeing is fresh tattooed skin + swelling.

Days 3–5: Peeling Phase

• Lips peel like a sunburn

• Color flakes off unevenly

• Lips may feel dry or tight

Days 6–14: Where Did My Color Go?

• Color fades dramatically

• Lips may look pale or uneven

• Clients think it “didn’t work”

Weeks 4–6: Color Bloom

• Pigment resurfaces

• Tone becomes softer and natural

• True shade shows through

Artist Notes: Lip Aftercare Musts

• Constant hydration (approved balm only)

• No spicy foods, kissing, or straws early on

• No picking—ever

Permanent Eyeliner Healing Timeline (The Sneaky One)

Eyeliner tends to heal faster but comes with its own mental game.

Days 1–2: Swollen Eyes

• Puffiness is common

• Liner looks thicker than intended

• Clients may feel tender

Days 3–5: Flaking & Shrinking

• Liner thins out as swelling reduces

• Flaking occurs

• Color softens quickly

Days 7–14: Healed Appearance

• Most swelling gone

• Final shape visible

• Minor fading may occur

Real-life example:
A client once told me eyeliner hurt less than her brows—but healing felt scarier because it’s on the eyes. Education beforehand made all the difference.

Artist Notes for Eyeliner Clients

• No mascara during early healing

• Avoid rubbing or tugging eyes

• Cold compresses help swelling

The Biggest Healing Mistakes Clients Make

Let’s be honest—these are the repeat offenders:

• Touching the area constantly

• Over-washing or under-washing

• Using random skincare products

• Googling worst-case scenarios

• Comparing fresh work to healed photos

I tell clients straight up: Google will lie to you. Your artist won’t. Book a consultation with me and let's chat any questions you may have. I'd love to answer them all.

What Artists Should Be Reinforcing During Healing

If you’re an artist reading this, here’s where your power is:

1. Set Expectations Before the Appointment

Clients who know what’s coming heal calmer.

2. Show Healed Work

Fresh work means nothing without healed examples.

3. Normalize the Ugly Phase

Yes, there is one. Own it.

4. Provide Written Aftercare

Verbal instructions get forgotten. Written ones get saved.

Healing Is Not the Problem—Lack of Education Is

Permanent makeup healing isn’t scary. It’s predictable when done correctly.

Most client anxiety doesn’t come from the procedure—it comes from not knowing what normal looks like.

Whether you’re a client trusting the process or an artist guiding someone through it, remember this:

Permanent makeup is a marathon, not a sprint.

And when you heal it right?
The results speak for themselves.