Aftercare Instructions

Following these instructions after your appointment will help ensure that you achieve the best results possible. Each person’s skin responds differently to procedures. The information below only acts as a guideline.

If you experience any swelling, or you are worried about a potential infection after the procedure, contact Studio Zaria immediately and consult a physician.

Trust the healing process ❤️

Immediately After Procedure

Gently pat dry the tattooed area regularly up to 4 hours after the procedure.

What To Avoid Until All the Flakes Come Off

Exposure to sunlight, submerged water, sweat, steam and heat
Application of any type of product in and around the eyebrow area, such as make-up & skincare, especially anti-aging products (ex. retinol), acne products (ex. glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide) and exfoliation products
- Use a face towel to wash your face in order to avoid the brow area, and potentially getting them too wet & infected (water is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria to grow)
Keep hair/bangs away from the face
Any physical activity that may cause heavy sweating (that includes the gym!)
Activities that could potentially cause an infection - gardening, lawn mowing, cleaning out dirty/dusty areas, etc.
Sleeping on the treated area (first day only) - try to sleep on your back, propped up and/or elevated (or else it will stain your pillowcase)

Day of Your Procedure (Day 1)

Whenever you see plasma/clear fluid appear on the tattooed area, gently blot with a dry cotton round. Then, with a clean & slightly damp cotton round, gently rub back-and-forth to make sure the area is clear of any build-up. Pat dry & apply a rice grain amount of healing balm with a clean cotton swab. Make sure that your hands are clean; wash for 30 seconds with hot water and soap.
- It is extremely important to do these steps above in order to avoid a crusty build-up of plasma fluid & blood on your brows. Less build-up means better retention! Your cotton swabs & cotton rounds might be slightly brown/red from the leftover ink and pinpoint bleeding - this is normal 😊
Before you go to bed, wash the area with soap (avoid any astringents, such as lemon, peppermint, etc. - or else it’s going to burn) in gentle circular motions. Then, pat dry & apply a rice grain amount of healing balm - it should resemble a thin layer of lip balm, not a thick layer of lip gloss. If your tattooed area looks extremely shiny, you have applied too much.
Sleep on a clean pillowcase & on your back - otherwise, the pigment will fade and stain your pillowcase/sheets.

Day 2 - 3

Twice a day (morning and night), wash the tattooed area with soap in gentle circular motions. Then, pat dry & apply a rice grain amount of healing balm - it should resemble a thin layer of lip balm, not a thick layer of lip gloss. If your tattooed area looks extremely shiny, you have applied too much.
The cotton swabs & cotton rounds might be slightly brown/red from the leftover ink and pinpoint bleeding - this is normal 😊
Pigment may appear of a warmer & darker tone than usual - do not freak out. It will heal down cooler & lighter in colour towards the end of the healing process.
Sleep on a clean pillowcase & on your back - the pigment will fade and stain your pillowcase/sheets otherwise.

Day 4 - 5

Twice a day (morning and night), wash the tattooed area with soap in gentle circular motions. Then, pat dry & apply a rice grain amount of healing balm - it should resemble a thin layer of lip balm, not a thick layer of lip gloss. If your tattooed area looks extremely shiny, you have applied too much.
You may notice some flaking as the dead skin cells & pigment begin to slough off. For darker skin tones, areas where the pigment has come off might even appear white/ashy underneath. This is normal and to be expected. The tattoo might begin to feel dry and chapped. DO NOT peel the flaking skin in order to prevent premature removal of pigment and scarring.
Pigment will begin to look lighter at this stage (especially on oily skin with larger pores).
If your tattoo feels very dry and itchy, you may apply a small amount of the healing balm to help soothe it.

Day 6 - 9

Twice a day (morning and night), wash the tattooed area with soap in gentle circular motions. Then, pat dry & apply a rice grain amount of healing balm - it should resemble a thin layer of lip balm, not a thick layer of lip gloss. If your tattooed area is extremely shiny, you have applied too much.
Most of the colour will have faded by now, or will start to fade significantly. Don't be disappointed - the colour will return. We will make adjustments at the touch-up session (6 - 12 weeks after your procedure) once your tattoo has healed.

Day 10

You have completed the aftercare! 🎉 On Day 10, you can stop washing the tattooed area & applying the healing balm.
You may now apply makeup on your brows and/or lips, and skincare/make-up around the eyebrow and/or lip area. If you still have flakes of pigment present, wait until they have fallen off before applying makeup and skincare to the area.

Day 11 - 30

This is what I call the ghosting phase: once all the flaking has subsided, it may look like none of the pigment stayed. BE PATIENT & TRUST THE PROCESS :) As the skin heals and completes its first full healing cycle, the colour will slowly start blooming and coming back in full force. This can take up to 30 days depending on your immune system & your overall skin health. It can take up to 12 weeks for lips.

Week 6 - 12

Time for your touch-up! This will be our chance to make any adjustments, now that your tattoo has fully healed ❤️ After your touch-up, follow the aftercare instructions on this page. To book your touch-up (if you haven’t already done so), book o nline, or send an email to hello@studiozaria.com.

Daily Maintenance of Your Healed Cosmetic Tattoo

Make sure to always protect your cosmetic tattoo with SPF (sunscreen) - not only will this improve its longevity, but it will prevent the pigment from fading to a different colour.
If you use Retinol products (or anything that increases cell turnover - i.e. glycolic acid, chemical peels, deep exfoliants, etc.), try to avoid putting them directly on your cosmetic tattoo, as these types of products will make it fade faster.