The first rule of sun protection for permanent makeup in Australia is an easy one: do not let fresh cosmetic tattoos come into contact with direct sunlight. Once the pigment has healed, it should be put under the protection of a broad-spectrum SPF50+, physical barriers and some shade on a daily basis. The UV here can be unforgiving; sensible care will go a long way to stave off irritation and keep the colour of a microblading, lip blush, powder brows or eyeliner from fading or becoming uneven.
I am Lucy McIntyre. Over the years I have had to field the usual post-treatment queries: “Is it alright to sit out in the sun?”, “Why is one brow paler than the other?” or “May I put on sunscreen now?” Truthfully, while sunscreen is of help, when you apply it is what counts. Fresh work must be left to heal before any ordinary skincare is put on top. For more details, see this microblading aftercare guide. And even when the sun seems content to do its own thing on an overcast day, healed pigment requires your attention.
The Reason Australian Sun Dulls Pigment
Being in the skin, permanent makeup is subject to the effects of UV rays as time goes on. UVA will cause deeper damage and age the skin prematurely, UVB is the main culprit for sunburn; both can rob a cosmetic tattoo of its vibrancy and make the colour less uniform if the skin is repeatedly left to the elements.
It is not just beach holidays that see pigment fade. The cumulative effect of a drive, a trip to the shops or some time at the park with the children can be enough. The UV levels in most of this country are no secret.
UVA, UVB And What They Do To Colour
Inflammation is another by-product of UV exposure and it can irritate the skin. With some, a bit of sunburn or irritation about a tattoo will serve to highlight any unevenness in tone. Those inclined to hyperpigmentation may find dark marks appear or get worse in the wake of inflammation.
Vulnerability is higher with a new treatment as the skin barrier is yet to recover. Sweat, scratching or peeling will upset the surface in the course of healing, so sun protection is as much about comfort as it is to prevent fading.
Extra Precautions For A New Treatment
People tend to be caught napping in the days following their appointment. One leaves the studio with lovely brows only to recall a lawn to mow or a school pick-up. While a hat and some cover are good, slathering on a thick coat of sunscreen is rarely the right move for something so fresh.
Heed the written word of your cosmetic tattoo artist; methods and products are not all the same and their advice on your particular case is paramount. Resist the urge to pick at flakes or hasten the peeling process simply because the skin is looking a bit rough. It is not a beauty contest, mirror or no.
What To Expect While Healing
It is normal for new permanent makeup to have a more intense or sharp look before it comes down. You might notice some colour seem to go during the healing phase to reappear later in a softer way, or for the surface to be tight and dry. That is no indication of a botched job.
Unless your artist has given the nod, stay away from tanning beds, swimming, anything that brings on a heavy sweat and direct sun in the early going. Make sure the area is clean per your aftercare sheet and put off unapproved actives, retinoids, exfoliants and oils. Should you experience any pus, redness that will not abate, severe swelling or pain, see a health professional without delay.
On Avoiding The Sun
You will not find a set number of days that is safe for every procedure. Skin heals at its own pace and so does an eyeliner or powder brow. Best to err on the side of caution and forgo any purposeful exposure until your artist gives the all-clear.
It is better to schedule an appointment with an eye to reality. A week at home is less of a risk than an outdoor wedding or a camping excursion put in place straight after. If you are making for the Stuart Highway, the Pilbara or Gibb River Road, do not put it to the test and hope a small umbrella will suffice; book well in advance of your travels.
| Situation | Practical approach | Main concern |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh brows or eyeliner | Employ a clean hat, shade and aftercare as an artist would have it. | Watch for any rubbing, irritation or uneven healing. |
| Fresh lip blush | Adhere to product instructions and stay out of the sun. | This will prevent colour disturbance and any discomfort or dryness. |
| Healed cosmetic tattoo | Put on a broad-spectrum SPF50+ and make sure to reapply when outside. | Stave off pigment fading in time. |
| Outdoor sport or work | Put up physical barriers and take some time in the shade. | Avoid the sweat and UV exposure. |
| A trip to the beach or pool or for camping | Let the treatment heal fully if you can. | Hygiene is limited and there is heat, water and sun to contend with. |
Make Your Plans Accordingly
When there is just a day to get ready, a physical barrier and some shade are the priority. Put on a wide-brimmed hat, have clean tissues at hand and do not put an outdoor activity in the diary. Leave the treated area clear of anything dusty or sweaty. After the skin has healed sunscreen is of course necessary, yet it is no substitute for the sort of instructions given for a fresh treatment.
In the Top End and northern WA the wet season is all about the humidity, cloud and the odd storm, but do not think that means low UV. The dry season is more pleasant and one might be remiss in how much sun is taken in. Then there are the mornings in Brisbane or Redcliffe in Queensland which can give you a good measure of exposure before you are aware of the heat.
On Sunscreen For Healed Tattoos
For regular time outdoors once the cosmetic tattoo is done healing, go with an SPF50+ of the broad-spectrum type. While an SPF 30 may suffice in some cases, SPF50+ is more sensible for what we have in Australia, particularly on the face. Broad-spectrum will handle UVA as well as the UVB that the SPF rating denotes.
Select something you will see fit to use. If a sunscreen stings or makes you look like a glazed hot cross bun, or tends to pill under your makeup, it will end up in the drawer. Some prefer the zinc-based formula of a mineral sunscreen, though the finish is not the same from one to another.
Zinc And Mineral
With a stick of zinc sunscreen you can reapply with ease to the tops of the cheeks, over the nose or on healed brows. Be gentle in application with a clean stick; you do not want to be putting force into a solid product and dragging it across facial skin, however healed.
Cancer Council Face Day Wear Fluid Matte SPF50+ comes up in Australian skincare searches and may be right for some to wear under makeup, but everyone has their own tolerance and preferences for ingredients. Try a patch test and heed the label. No amount of sunscreen will ensure permanent makeup does not fade.
The Cancer Council’s SunSmart advice is to protect against UV once the Index is 3 or higher. A day can be cool and still be high-UV so consult the local forecast, not just the thermometer.
How To Apply Without Rubbing
There is nothing to it applying sunscreen over a healed tattoo, provided the technique is right. Put enough on for the whole face and let it settle prior to any makeup. With eyeliner and brows a little pressing is better than to be too aggressive.
Unless told otherwise by your health professional or artist, keep sunscreen off fresh permanent makeup and stick to the approved aftercare. Once it has healed, make it part of the morning and reapply after you have been swimming or in the open air.
Lips, Brows, Eyeliner
Clean fingers or an applicator are the way to put sunscreen on and around healed microblading or powder brows. Do not resort to a dirty makeup brush for the job, turning a beauty routine into some small experiment with bacteria.
When you are out with a healed lip blush, a lip product with sun protection is called for and you will need to put it on often as eating and drinking will see it gone. A hat is helpful but will not shield the lips.
Sunglasses that block UV and a wide-brimmed hat are in order for permanent eyeliner. Should a product cause redness or watering, put it down. An optometrist or medical practitioner can be of counsel if there is an eye condition or persistent irritation.
Some Summer Tactics
It is best to be in the habit of it in the Australian summer. Have your sunglasses in the bag, the hat by the door and the sunscreen beside the toothbrush. You will think of everything but the sunscreen if you leave it until you are standing by the barbecue in a sweat.
- For exposed skin and any healed facial cosmetic tattoos, apply a broad-spectrum SPF50+.
- Make a point of reapplying if you have been in the outdoors for any length of time, or after towelling and sweating.
- When it is convenient, put in some time in the shade from late morning into the afternoon.
- Make sure you have on a good wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection.
- Do not put sunscreen to the test for a fresh treatment; physical barriers are better for covering it.
Consider sun protection part of your kit if you have a day of outdoor work or sport ahead of you, or when the kids are in tow. Have your hat, water, sunglasses and sunscreen at hand along with something clean for reapplication. If you are heading out on the bush, make a point of looking at road conditions, fire restrictions and any weather warnings. In northern Australia between November and April a cyclone alert or bushfire closure can put an end to your plans in short order, and there is no need for heat and dehydration to complicate matters while you are healing.
Expectation Versus Reality
You might think a single lathering of sunscreen will see your brows through the day. The truth is it has a habit of wearing off, especially where hands or clothes come in contact with it, or around the hairline and mouth.
It is easy to assume that under a flat as a pancake sky your cosmetic tattoos are in no danger. But UV is still strong even in cloudy conditions. You are better off with the cover of a hat or some clothing than to put your trust in the clouds.
A darker result to start with does not mean the pigment is set in stone. The fresh work will often alter in the course of healing and the sun will have its say on the final outcome. Be patient and let it heal before you pass judgement on the colour; take your photos in the same light.
Protecting Your Pigment
Permanent makeup is not the kind of product that requires no upkeep. It may be a time saver but it calls for some common sense in your skincare regimen. Put some distance between yourself and tanning beds and shield your face on long drives or when you are sitting outside. Physical barriers come in handy when putting on more sunscreen is not an option.
Should the pigment have run its course, resist the urge to put down harsh exfoliants or anything with strong actives in an attempt to fix it. Make an appointment with a professional in the field to have the skin and colour evaluated and see if a refresh is warranted. As costs will differ from one practitioner and location to another, get a quote first.
Those who are mostly inside will find daily facial sunscreen and the odd bit of shade sufficient. A more rigorous approach is called for by the outdoorsman, the frequent swimmer, anyone with hyperpigmentation issues or who travels to sunny climes. There is no question of secluding oneself from the sun for life, merely cutting down on what is avoidable.
Frequently Asked Questions on Permanent Makeup Protection
Microblading and sun exposure
While the microblading is in the process of healing, do not put it in the sun. Rely on your artist’s aftercare and a clean, wide-brimmed hat for cover. Afterward, a broad-spectrum SPF50+ should be used and reapplied if you are out of doors. Unprotected exposure and tanning are a recipe for irritation and fading.
Pre-treatment
Your artist will have instructions on how to prepare. Heed them. That means no showing up with a tan or sunburn, stay away from active skincare that is likely to irritate and do not book in for a procedure right before a beach holiday. Any allergies, medications or skin conditions of note should be put before the practitioner.
Sunscreen with makeup
Once the permanent makeup is healed, an SPF50+ that is comfortable on the skin and does not show under your makeup is ideal. Some will go for the Cancer Council Face Day Wear Fluid Matte, but in the end the best is what you can put on liberally and put back on.
Before makeup
Apply it over your skincare and wait for it to set per the directions before foundation or concealer goes on. Do not put ordinary sunscreen on new work unless the artist says so.
Will sunscreen keep the pigment from fading?
Not entirely. It will cut down on the UV but some colour change is inevitable. Hats, sunglasses, reapplying and shunning the tanning bed are what will guard your cosmetic tattoos. Then there is the matter of time, lifestyle and the technique itself.
A routine for protection
In the early days of a permanent makeup job, stick to the aftercare, use physical barriers and stay out of direct sun. Once it is healed, the formula is straightforward: SPF50+, a hat and sunglasses and reapply as you are out and about. It is the best way to ensure your eyeliner, powder brows or lip blush remain even and presentable.
I would offer this unglamorous but sound advice: have a hat at the door and the sunscreen in plain view. Do not make the mistake of thinking an Australian day with some cloud in it is a free pass. Common sense is what your cosmetic tattoo requires, not a holiday.