Stop retinol 2 weeks before, avoid alcohol/caffeine 24-48 hours before, come with clean bare brows, bring reference photos, eat a meal beforehand, and stay hydrated. Korean studios will guide you, but proper preparation ensures optimal results.
Quick Answer
How should I prepare for microblading in Korea? The key is avoiding anything that thins blood or sensitizes skin: stop retinol 2 weeks before, skip alcohol and caffeine 24-48 hours before, and arrive with clean, makeup-free brows. Your Korean artist will handle the rest!
Complete Pre-Appointment Timeline for Korea
Follow this timeline to ensure you're perfectly prepared for your Korean microblading appointment:
Skin Preparation Phase
- Stop using retinol, retinoids, and vitamin A products
- Discontinue chemical exfoliants (AHAs, BHAs, glycolic acid)
- No chemical peels or microdermabrasion
- Avoid brow tinting, waxing, or threading
- Let your natural brows grow in as much as possible
- Start taking photos of brow shapes you like
Skin Protection Phase
- Avoid excessive sun exposure and tanning
- No sunburn on or near the brow area
- Stop using anti-aging serums near brows
- Avoid Botox (wait 2-4 weeks after Botox for microblading)
- Confirm your Korean studio appointment
- Arrange transportation to your Seoul studio
- Finalize your reference photos
Blood Thinner Avoidance
- Stop drinking alcohol completely
- Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen (use Tylenol if needed)
- No fish oil or omega-3 supplements
- Avoid vitamin E supplements
- No energy drinks
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
- Get good sleep—rest helps with healing
Final Preparation
- No caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate)
- Avoid intense exercise or workouts
- No facials or facial treatments
- Continue drinking lots of water
- Prepare items to bring (see checklist below)
- Confirm studio address and directions in Seoul
- Set alarms to avoid rushing
Appointment Day
- Eat a proper meal 1-2 hours before (don't arrive hungry!)
- Arrive with completely clean, bare brows—no makeup
- Wash your face but skip skincare products on brows
- Wear comfortable clothes you can relax in
- Bring all items on your checklist
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early to your Korean studio
- Relax! Korean artists will guide you through everything
What to Bring to Your Korean Microblading Appointment
📋 Your Korea Appointment Checklist
Essential Items
- Passport or ID
- Reference photos (on phone)
- Payment method (card/cash)
- Studio confirmation/address
- Emergency contact info
Comfort Items
- Hair tie or headband
- Sunglasses (for after)
- Light snack
- Water bottle
- Headphones for music
Good to Have
- Allergy information list
- Hat or cap (sun protection)
- Lip balm
- Phone charger
- Translation app (if needed)
Korean Studio Note
Most Korean studios provide everything you need during the procedure—numbing cream, aftercare products, and detailed instructions. However, bringing your own comfort items makes the 2-3 hour appointment more pleasant. Many Korean studios also have English-speaking staff and will help with any communication needs.
Book Your Korean Microblading
Ready to get perfect brows in Korea? Book your consultation and we'll send you a personalized preparation guide.
Things to Avoid Before Korean Microblading
Understanding WHY you should avoid certain things helps you take preparation seriously:
| Avoid This | When to Stop | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Retinol/Retinoids | 2 weeks | Thins skin, causes poor pigment retention, more bleeding |
| Chemical Peels | 2 weeks | Sensitizes skin, increases risk of scarring |
| Botox (forehead) | 2-4 weeks | Brow position may shift after Botox settles |
| Brow Waxing/Threading | 1 week | Irritates skin, artist needs to see natural shape |
| Sun Exposure | 1 week | Sunburned skin cannot be microbladed |
| Alcohol | 48 hours | Thins blood, increases bleeding, affects healing |
| Aspirin/Ibuprofen | 48 hours | Blood thinners cause excessive bleeding |
| Caffeine | 24 hours | Increases sensitivity and can cause more bleeding |
| Intense Exercise | 24 hours | Opens pores, increases blood flow to face |
Do's and Don'ts Quick Reference
✓ DO Before Your Korean Appointment
- Eat a good meal 1-2 hours before
- Drink plenty of water
- Get good sleep the night before
- Come with clean, bare brows
- Bring reference photos
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Communicate openly with your artist
- Ask questions during consultation
- Relax and trust the process
✗ DON'T Before Your Korean Appointment
- Don't use retinol for 2 weeks
- Don't drink alcohol for 48 hours
- Don't take blood thinners
- Don't drink caffeine day-of
- Don't get a sunburn
- Don't arrive hungry
- Don't wear brow makeup
- Don't wax or thread brows
- Don't rush—give yourself time
- Don't stress—Korean artists are experts!
Special Considerations for International Clients
Traveling to Korea for microblading? Keep these additional tips in mind:
Jet Lag Recovery
If flying long-haul, schedule your appointment 1-2 days after arrival. Your body needs rest for optimal healing.
Climate Adjustment
Korea's seasons can be extreme. Summer humidity and winter dryness affect skin—mention any reactions to your artist.
Translation Ready
Most Korean studios have English support, but having a translation app helps. Save key phrases like "more natural" or "softer arch."
Accommodation Planning
Book accommodation near your studio. After microblading, you'll want to rest—not navigate Seoul's subway system.
Korean Studio Communication Tips
- Send your reference photos via KakaoTalk before your appointment
- Ask about the consultation process during booking
- Confirm if English interpretation is available
- Request detailed aftercare instructions in English
- Exchange contact info for post-appointment questions
What to Expect When You Arrive at Your Korean Studio
Knowing what happens at your appointment helps reduce anxiety:
- Welcome & paperwork: You'll fill out a health questionnaire and consent forms. Korean studios are thorough about medical history.
- Consultation (30-60 min): Your Korean artist analyzes your face, discusses shape preferences, and shows you reference examples.
- Brow mapping: Using precise measurements, your artist draws the ideal shape on your face with removable pencil.
- Preview & approval: You'll see exactly how your brows will look before any permanent work. Adjustments are made until you're happy.
- Numbing (20-30 min): Topical numbing cream is applied. This is a good time to relax with music or a snack.
- The procedure (1-2 hours): Your artist creates hair-like strokes. Most clients say it's less painful than expected!
- Aftercare instructions: You'll receive products and detailed guidance for the healing process.
Important: Don't Skip Preparation
Proper preparation isn't optional—it directly affects your results. If you've been using retinol, drinking alcohol, or have a sunburn, tell your Korean artist immediately. They may need to reschedule to ensure you get the best possible results. Korean studios prioritize quality over rushing—they want you to love your brows!
Day Before Your Korean Appointment: Final Checklist
24-Hour Countdown Checklist
- No caffeine starting now (switch to water and herbal tea)
- Prepare all items to bring (reference photos, ID, etc.)
- Confirm studio address and transportation plan
- Set alarms to avoid rushing in the morning
- Plan a nutritious meal for 1-2 hours before appointment
- Lay out comfortable clothes to wear
- Get to bed early—good sleep helps healing
- Do a final face wash but skip brow area products
Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing for Korean Microblading
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen) for 24-72 hours before your Korean appointment. Stop retinol and chemical exfoliants 2 weeks prior. Also avoid sun exposure, tanning, and brow treatments like waxing or threading for 1-2 weeks. These precautions ensure optimal pigment retention and minimize bleeding during the procedure.
Korean studios recommend avoiding caffeine for at least 24 hours before your appointment. Caffeine increases blood pressure, skin sensitivity, and can cause more bleeding during the procedure—all of which affect pigment retention. Stick to water and herbal tea the day before and day of. Your perfect brows are worth one coffee-free day!
No—come with completely clean, bare brows. Your Korean artist needs to see your natural brow shape, hair growth pattern, and skin condition without any products. However, DO bring reference photos of brow shapes you like. This helps communicate your preferences during consultation. Korean artists are experts at translating your vision into a shape that flatters your unique face.
Essential items: passport/ID, reference photos (on your phone), payment method, and studio confirmation. Comfort items: hair tie or headband, sunglasses for after, a light snack, water bottle, and headphones. Good to have: allergy information, hat for sun protection, phone charger, and a translation app if needed. Korean studios provide procedure supplies and aftercare products.
Stop retinol, retinoids, and vitamin A products at least 2 weeks (14 days) before your Korean microblading appointment. These ingredients thin the skin and accelerate cell turnover, which causes poor pigment retention, increased bleeding, and longer healing times. If you're unsure about a product, check with your Korean studio or err on the side of caution and stop using it.
Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and other NSAIDs for 24-48 hours before your Korean appointment—these are blood thinners that increase bleeding. If you need pain relief, Tylenol (acetaminophen) is generally safe as it doesn't thin blood. However, check with your specific Korean studio first. Most clients find the numbing cream used during the procedure makes it quite comfortable.
