The success of your brow lamination doesn't begin when you apply the lifting solution—it starts days before, with proper preparation. How you care for your brows in the lead-up to treatment affects everything from how evenly the solution processes to how long your results last. This guide walks you through the optimal preparation timeline, from a week out to the moment before you begin.
One Week Before: Setting the Foundation
A week before your planned lamination is the time to start conditioning your brows if you haven't already established a regular routine. Well-moisturised, healthy brows process more evenly and hold the treatment better than dry, neglected ones.
Apply a nourishing oil or serum to your brows each night before bed. Castor oil is a classic choice, but argan oil, sweet almond oil, or dedicated brow conditioners work equally well. The goal is to ensure your brow hairs are hydrated and in the best possible condition for the chemical process ahead.
One-Week Prep Checklist
- Begin nightly conditioning with oil or serum
- Do your patch test if using a new product
- Avoid any other brow treatments (tinting, waxing, threading)
- Stop using retinoids or strong acids around the brow area
The Patch Test
If you're using a lamination product for the first time, or if it's been several months since your last treatment, now is the time for your patch test. Apply a small amount of the lifting solution to the skin behind your ear, leave it for the recommended processing time, then rinse. Monitor the area for 24 to 48 hours for any signs of reaction—redness, itching, swelling, or irritation.
Don't skip this step, even if you've used lamination products before. Formulations change, and your skin's sensitivity can fluctuate based on factors like hormones, stress, medications, or other skincare products you're using.
Three to Five Days Before: Avoiding Conflicting Treatments
This window is crucial for avoiding any treatments that could interfere with your lamination or increase the risk of adverse reactions.
What to Avoid
Do not tint, wax, thread, or tweeze your brows during this period. These treatments can sensitise the skin and make it more reactive to the lamination chemicals. They can also affect how the lifting solution interacts with your brow hairs—freshly tinted brows, for example, may process faster and more unpredictably.
Stop using strong active ingredients around your brow area. This includes retinol, retinoids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and other exfoliating acids. These products thin the skin's barrier and increase sensitivity, raising the risk of irritation during lamination. If these are regular parts of your skincare routine, simply apply them to the lower half of your face only during this pre-treatment window.
Avoid excessive sun exposure on your forehead and brow area. Sunburned or sensitised skin should not be laminated until it's fully healed, which could delay your treatment by a week or more.
The Day Before: Final Preparations
With 24 hours to go, your preparation enters its final phase. The focus now is on ensuring your brows are clean, conditioned, and ready for treatment.
Continue Conditioning
Apply your nourishing oil or serum as usual the night before. This final dose of conditioning helps ensure your brow hairs are supple and receptive to the lifting solution.
Assess Your Brow Shape
Take a good look at your brows in natural light. Are there any stray hairs that truly don't belong and won't be incorporated into your desired shape? If absolutely necessary, you can tweeze one or two obviously out-of-place hairs—but resist the urge to do any significant shaping. Lamination works with what you have, and removing too many hairs before treatment leaves you with less to work with.
Shape Assessment Tips
- Look at your brows in multiple lighting conditions
- Brush them upward to see how they'll look after lamination
- Identify any gaps you want to cover with redirected hairs
- Note any particularly stubborn hairs that may need extra attention
Gather Your Supplies
Make sure you have everything you need for the treatment itself. There's nothing worse than starting a timed chemical process and realising you're missing a crucial tool. Your checklist should include your lamination kit (lifting solution, neutraliser, nourishing treatment), clean spoolies (at least two or three), a Y-comb or precision tool for detailed work, cotton pads or rounds for cleanup, a reliable timer, and a mirror with good lighting.
If any products in your kit have been stored for a while, check their expiration dates and give them a visual inspection. Solutions that have changed colour, consistency, or smell should not be used.
The Morning Of: Setting Yourself Up for Success
On treatment day, your preparation is almost complete. A few final steps ensure optimal conditions for your lamination.
Cleanse Thoroughly
Start with freshly washed brows. Use a gentle, oil-free cleanser to remove any overnight products, natural oils, or residue from your conditioning treatments. Any barrier on the hair shaft will prevent the lifting solution from penetrating evenly, leading to patchy or inconsistent results.
After cleansing, dry your brows completely. Residual moisture can dilute the lifting solution and affect processing time. Pat gently with a clean towel and allow to air dry for a few minutes before beginning treatment.
Morning-Of Don'ts
- Don't apply moisturiser, sunscreen, or makeup to your brow area
- Don't exercise heavily before treatment (sweat affects processing)
- Don't steam your face or take a very hot shower right before
- Don't rush—allow adequate time for the full process
Create the Right Environment
Choose a well-lit space where you can see your brows clearly. Natural daylight is ideal, but bright artificial light works too. Avoid dimly lit bathrooms or areas with shadows that might obscure your view.
Make sure you won't be interrupted. Brow lamination is a timed process, and distractions can lead to over- or under-processing. Turn off your phone notifications, let household members know you need uninterrupted time, and settle into your space before you begin.
Mental Preparation
Beyond the physical preparation, take a moment to mentally prepare for the treatment. If you're nervous (especially for your first time), remind yourself that you've done your research, prepared properly, and have a plan to follow.
Read through the instructions one more time, even if you think you know them by heart. Visualise the process from start to finish. Know exactly where your timer is and how to use it. Having a clear mental map of the treatment reduces anxiety and helps you work more confidently and efficiently.
Troubleshooting Pre-Treatment Issues
Sometimes, despite best intentions, things don't go according to plan. Here's how to handle common pre-treatment complications.
If you forgot to do a patch test, postpone your lamination. It's not worth the risk of a full-face reaction. Do the patch test now and reschedule for 48 hours later.
If you accidentally waxed or threaded your brows within the last few days, wait. Give your skin at least 48 hours to recover before proceeding with lamination.
If your brows are unexpectedly dry or damaged, delay treatment and focus on intensive conditioning for another week. Laminating already-stressed hair increases the risk of overprocessing.
If you have any skin irritation, breakouts, or cuts in the brow area, wait until these have fully healed. Chemical solutions on compromised skin can cause serious irritation or infection.
The Prepared Brow Advantage
Proper preparation might seem like extra work, but the benefits are significant. Brows that are well-conditioned, properly cleansed, and free from interfering products process more evenly, hold their shape better, and recover faster from the chemical treatment. They're also less likely to experience adverse reactions or overprocessing damage.
Think of preparation as an investment in your results. The few minutes spent each day in the week before treatment pay dividends in the form of beautiful, long-lasting laminated brows that look and feel healthy. When you sit down to begin your treatment with properly prepared brows, you've already set yourself up for success.