How to prepare for microblading in Los Angeles: the 2-week checklist

Whether your microblading heals crisp or blurry is decided in the two weeks before you sit in our chair. This is exactly what we send new clients — from someone who's done 2,400+ sessions on West 3rd Street in Beverly Grove.

By Burcin Goksu, Master Stylist & Founder · Published Sep 18, 2026 · 6 min read

14 days out

• Stop all retinol / tretinoin / retinoids on the forehead area. This includes prescription (tretinoin, tazarotene), OTC retinol serums, and vitamin A creams. They accelerate skin turnover — which pushes pigment out before it sets. In LA, half our clients are on some form of retinol from a Dermalogica or Fresh regimen and don't realize it. Read your labels.
• Book any hair color you need before this window. Bleach and box dye near the hairline can bleed into freshly bladed brows for 5 days post-session.
• If you've had botox in the past 8 weeks, tell us. We time microblading for after the botox has settled — otherwise the brow shape changes as botox wears off and your microblading no longer matches your natural shape.

10 days out

• No brow tinting. Chemical tint sits on the skin surface. Blade a stroke through recently-tinted skin and the pigment mixes muddy.
• No new botox on the forehead. Wait until after your perfecting session (8 weeks post-microblading).
• Book your period-check. Look at your cycle app. If your appointment falls on days 1–2 of your period, reschedule now — cycle days 5–14 are ideal for retention and pain tolerance.

7 days out

• Stop tweezing, waxing, and threading. We need your natural brow hairs visible on appointment day so we can map around them.
• Skip glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acid on the forehead. Any strong exfoliant that peels dead skin also peels the pigment 4 days after your session.
• Start hydrating. LA is dry. Hydrated skin holds pigment 20–30% better. Half a gallon of water a day starting now.
• No Runyon or Griffith in direct sun. A sunburn on the forehead means we cancel — inflamed skin doesn't blade cleanly.

72 hours out

This is where most retention problems come from. Blood thinners increase bleeding during the session, which dilutes the pigment. Diluted pigment = pale healed brows = more touch-up needed.

• Stop aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve). Tylenol (acetaminophen) is fine if you need pain relief.
• Stop fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, ginseng, garlic supplements. All natural blood thinners.
• No alcohol. Even 2 glasses of wine the night before dilutes pigment.
• If you're on prescribed blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Plavix), do NOT stop them. Call your doctor. Some MDs approve a 48-hour pause; some don't. We do not force this decision.

24 hours out

• No caffeine spikes. One cup is fine. Don't do a triple-shot from Alfred's or a 20oz cold brew. Caffeine constricts capillaries → more bleeding when we blade.
• Eat a full meal before you leave the house. A 2-hour session with numbing on an empty stomach is how people get lightheaded.
• Wash your hair. You can't wet the brow area for 3 days after.

Day of

• Come with brows clean but unwashed same-morning. We use isopropyl alcohol to prep the skin — we don't need a heavy cleanser on top.
• No makeup on the brows. Wear whatever else you like on your face.
• Bring a hair tie. We pin your hair back.
• Wear a button-up or zip-up. Don't pull anything over your head after — you'll smudge fresh pigment.
• Give yourself 3 hours. Mapping alone is 30–45 minutes and it's the most important part. If you're rushed, we notice, and your brows show it.
• Park at the Beverly Center (P4, validated) if 3rd Street meters are full. 6-minute walk across La Cienega.

What we tell every LA client that other guides skip

Three LA-specific things:

1. Your Dermalogica facial from last week counts. If your facialist used a mandelic acid peel or dermaplane in the past 10 days, tell us. We may reschedule.
2. Melrose lash extensions + microblading same week = bad idea. The lash adhesive fumes irritate the brow skin. Space them by 5 days.
3. LA sun is coming for your brows the moment they heal. Buy the mineral SPF stick before your appointment so it's ready day 14. Our top pick: the EltaMD UV Elements SPF 44 tinted — $39 at any authorized dermatologist office in Beverly Hills.

Book your microblading consult

Consults are free, 20 minutes, walk-in on Monday afternoons. We assess your skin, brows, and lifestyle — and honestly tell you whether microblading, nano brows, or something else fits.

Book microblading consult →

About the author: Burcin Goksu is a master PMU artist certified in Turkey and California. She founded MUA Salon in Beverly Grove in 2019 and has performed over 2,400 microblading sessions.