How to Prepare for Microblading
How to Prepare for Your Microblading Appointment
Proper preparation is key to achieving optimal microblading results. What you do (and don't do) in the days and weeks leading up to your appointment can significantly impact how well the pigment takes, how comfortably you heal, and how beautiful your final results look.
This comprehensive checklist ensures you're perfectly prepared for your microblading appointment. New to microblading? Start with our complete guide to microblading.
4 Weeks Before Your Appointment
Adjust Your Skincare Routine
Consult your practitioner about any medications, supplements, or skincare products you should avoid before your appointment. Certain active skincare ingredients can thin the skin, affect pigment retention, and increase sensitivity. Your practitioner will provide personalised guidance based on your routine.
General Tips:
- Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers
- Use simple moisturizers
- Avoid harsh active ingredients on the brow area
Medication Considerations
Important: Consult your practitioner about any medications or supplements before your appointment. Never stop prescribed medications without your doctor's approval. Your practitioner will advise you on what adjustments (if any) may be needed.
2 Weeks Before Your Appointment
Avoid Brow Treatments
Don't Get:
- Brow tinting
- Brow lamination
- Chemical peels (face)
- Laser treatments (face)
- Microdermabrasion
Why:
- Can affect skin sensitivity
- May alter hair texture/color
- Could interfere with design process
- Increases skin trauma if combined with microblading
If you're interested in other facial treatments, we also offer microneedling -- just schedule it separately from your brow appointment.
1 Week Before Your Appointment
Avoid Tanning and Sun Exposure
Don't:
- Tan (sun or bed)
- Sunburn your face
- Get spray tan on face/brows
- Use self-tanner on face
Why:
- Tanned/burned skin is compromised
- Affects healing ability
- Can impact pigment retention
- Sunburned skin can't be microbladed
Do:
- Wear SPF daily
- Avoid midday sun
- Protect your face
Let Your Brows Grow
Don't:
- Tweeze or pluck brows
- Thread eyebrows
- Wax brows
Why:
- Artist needs to see your natural growth pattern
- Determines best placement for strokes
- Helps create most natural design
- Shows where hair naturally grows
Exception: You can trim overly long hairs if needed.
If you need regular brow shaping, schedule it at least 2 weeks before your microblading appointment.
48 Hours Before Your Appointment
Stop Consuming Alcohol
Why:
- Alcohol thins blood
- Increases bleeding during procedure
- Bleeding affects pigment retention
- Can make numbing less effective
Skip:
- All alcoholic beverages
- Wine, beer, spirits
- Even "just one drink"
Drink Instead:
- Lots of water (hydration helps healing)
- Herbal tea
- Fresh juices
Avoid Excessive Caffeine
Limit:
- Coffee (max 1 cup in morning)
- Energy drinks
- Pre-workout supplements
- Excessive tea
Why:
- Caffeine increases anxiety
- Can thin blood slightly
- Heightens sensitivity
24 Hours Before Your Appointment
Final Preparations
Do:
- Drink plenty of water (hydrated skin heals better)
- Get good night's sleep
- Prepare your aftercare station at home
- Plan comfortable clothing for appointment
- Clear your schedule for rest of day
Don't:
- Schedule other appointments same day
- Plan intense activities afterward
- Book travel immediately after
- Expect to go back to work (give yourself rest time)
Morning of Your Appointment
What to Do
Eat a Good Meal:
- Don't come on empty stomach
- Low blood sugar increases sensitivity
- Eat 1-2 hours before appointment
- Choose something satisfying and nutritious
Personal Care:
- Shower and wash hair (can't get brows wet for 7-10 days after)
- Wash face thoroughly
- NO makeup on eyebrows or eyes
- Remove contact lenses (bring glasses)
Dress Comfortably:
- Avoid tight turtlenecks (can't pull over fresh brows after)
- Wear button-up or loose shirt
- Bring a sweater (studios can be cool)
What to Bring
Essential Items:
- Photo ID
- Payment method
- Inspiration photos (saved on phone or printed)
- Glasses (if you wear contacts)
- Phone/headphones (for entertainment during session)
Optional But Helpful:
- Stress ball or fidget item
- Sweater or jacket
- Hair tie (keep hair off face)
- Notebook (for aftercare notes)
Check out our eyebrow shape guide for face shapes for inspiration on what brow style might suit you best.
What NOT to Do on Appointment Day
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Don't Wear Eye Makeup
- Will need to be removed
- Wastes appointment time
- Can irritate during removal
Don't Come Hungover
- Blood will be thin
- You'll be dehydrated
- Sensitivity increased
- Poor retention results
Don't Drink Coffee Right Before
- Increases anxiety
- Makes you jittery
- Can affect comfort level
Don't Rush or Arrive Stressed
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early
- Give yourself plenty of travel time
- Stress increases pain sensitivity
Don't Bring Young Children
- Procedure takes 2-3 hours
- Need to stay still and relaxed
- Children can be distracting
Special Considerations
Menstrual Cycle
Consider:
- Week before period: heightened sensitivity
- Best time: Week after period ends (lowest sensitivity)
- If possible, schedule accordingly
If Unavoidable:
- Let your artist know (may need extra numbing)
- Practice stress reduction techniques
If You Have Health Conditions
Inform Your Artist If You Have:
- Diabetes
- Keloid scarring history
- Blood clotting disorders
- Autoimmune conditions
- Skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis)
- Allergies (especially to anesthetics)
Bring:
- Doctor's clearance letter if required
- List of medications
- Information about your condition
If You're Pregnant or Nursing
Important:
- Most artists won't microblade during pregnancy
- Generally advised to wait until after breastfeeding
- Hormones affect healing and retention
- Discuss with both doctor and artist
Questions to Have Ready
Come prepared with any questions you have:
About the Procedure:
- How long will it take?
- What's your numbing process?
- Can I see the design before you start?
- What happens if I need a break?
About Aftercare:
- What products will you provide?
- How often should I clean my brows?
- When can I wear makeup again?
- What if I have questions during healing?
For detailed aftercare information, read our microblading aftercare complete guide.
About Results:
- When will I see my final results?
- How often will I need touch-ups?
- What affects how long results last?
- Can I see healed photos of your work?
Check out our before and after gallery to see healed results.
After You Book: Planning Ahead
Schedule Wisely
Best Times to Book:
- When you can rest afterward
- No important events for 2 weeks after
- No travel plans immediately after
- Not right before major photos/events
Avoid Booking Before:
- Weddings (yours or attending)
- Major photos sessions
- Beach vacations
- Important work presentations
- First dates
Reason: Brows go through awkward phases during healing! Learn about what to expect before and after.
Set Up Your Aftercare Station
Gather Supplies:
- Gentle fragrance-free cleanser
- Distilled water (for cleansing)
- Clean paper towels
- Cotton swabs
- Aftercare ointment (provided by artist)
Create Space:
- Clean bathroom area
- Good lighting
- Easy access to supplies
- Clean hand towels
What Your Artist Will Provide
Included in Your Appointment:
- Numbing cream
- Sterile, single-use tools
- Premium pigments
- Aftercare ointment
- Aftercare instruction sheet
- Before/after photos
- Artist's contact for questions
What to Expect:
- Consultation (15-30 min)
- Design and mapping (20-30 min)
- Numbing (15-20 min)
- Microblading (60-90 min)
- Final instructions (10-15 min)
Total time: 2-3 hours
Wondering about comfort levels? Read the truth about microblading pain.
Common Pre-Appointment Mistakes to Avoid
Don't Make These Errors:
Getting brows waxed/threaded 2 days before "I wanted them to look nice!" - Irritated skin can't be microbladed
Having wine the night before "Just one glass!" - Increased bleeding affects results
Forgetting pre-care instructions "I didn't think it mattered" - Can cause excessive trauma
Tanning right before "I wanted to look good" - Compromised skin won't heal well
Arriving late and stressed "Traffic was bad!" - Stress increases pain sensitivity
Expecting to go back to work after "It's just eyebrows" - Give yourself time to rest!
Final 24-Hour Checklist
The Day Before:
- No alcohol
- Limit caffeine
- Drink lots of water
- Get good sleep
- Set up aftercare station
- Pack bag with essentials
Day of Appointment:
- Eat substantial meal 1-2 hours before
- Shower and wash hair
- Remove all eye/brow makeup
- Dress in comfortable, loose clothing
- Bring ID, payment, inspiration photos
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early
- Relax and trust your artist!
You're Ready!
Following this preparation guide ensures you'll have the best possible microblading experience and results. Proper preparation leads to:
- Better pigment retention
- More comfortable procedure
- Faster, smoother healing
- More beautiful final results
- Less risk of complications
Book Your Microblading Appointment
Ready to transform your brows? Melbourne Designer Brows provides detailed pre-appointment instructions and is here to answer all your preparation questions.
Microblading: From $600
A perfecting session is recommended 6-8 weeks after the initial appointment ($250).
Not sure if microblading is right for you? Compare it with other techniques:
Contact Melbourne Designer Brows:
- Call Anne: 0418 188 277
- Email: info@mdbrows.com.au
- Richmond: Level 1, 382A Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121
- Springvale: Shop 4, 218 Springvale Rd, Springvale VIC 3171
Your Journey to Perfect Brows:
- Free consultation to discuss your goals
- Receive detailed prep instructions specific to your needs
- Arrive perfectly prepared for your appointment
- Enjoy the process knowing you've done everything right
- Achieve beautiful results from optimal preparation!
Results may vary. Consult with your practitioner for personalized advice. Proper preparation is the foundation for beautiful microblading results. Book your consultation today and we'll guide you through every step!