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No, it’s not safe to laminate your brows while using retinol in your skincare routine. Retinol makes your skin more sensitive, which can lead to irritation, redness, or even chemical burns when combined with the chemicals used in brow lamination. For best results, stop using retinol at least 5–7 days before and after your brow lamination treatment.
Brow lamination is a non-invasive beauty treatment designed to give eyebrows a fuller, more defined appearance. Many people ask, “What is brow lamination & when is the best time to get it?” Simply put, brow lamination—also known as an “eyebrow perm” or “brow lift”—is ideal when your brows feel unruly, sparse, or hard to manage, especially before a special event or seasonal change when you want a polished, low-maintenance look.
This treatment is ideal for those with sparse, uneven, or unruly brows who want a more polished, symmetrical look without daily styling.
At Bela Beauty College, we train our students and clients to approach brow lamination with care—especially when other active skincare products, like retinol, are in play.
Retinol is a powerhouse skincare ingredient derived from vitamin A.
However, with great power comes great responsibility—retinol can cause dryness, redness, and increased sensitivity, especially when introduced too quickly or used improperly.
This is why understanding its role in your skincare routine is crucial when planning a brow lamination treatment.
Yes, it absolutely can—and not in a good way.
If your brow area is even slightly irritated, lamination should be postponed. The risks outweigh the benefits.
This is where most competitor blogs drop the ball—they say stop but don’t tell you when.
Retinol stays active in your skin and continues affecting your barrier even after you stop applying it. So buffer time is essential.
During the retinol break, your skin still needs care.
Opt for gentler ingredients such as:
Avoid chemical exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs), peels, or anything abrasive.
Once the lamination process is complete, your brows—and the skin beneath—need time to recover.
Why? The chemical process disrupts the skin barrier. Retinol applied too soon could intensify dryness, cause flaking, or trigger inflammation.
Watch for signs like:
If any of these appear, discontinue retinol and consult your esthetician or dermatologist.
If you’re actively using retinol or have recently started, you’re at higher risk during brow lamination.
People with the following should be especially cautious:
At Bela Beauty College, we always perform a thorough skin consultation before proceeding with chemical brow services.
Many skin professionals agree: combining retinol and brow lamination without proper timing is a recipe for disaster.
Bela Beauty College’s lead instructors echo this sentiment and teach all aspiring brow professionals to prioritise safety over aesthetics.
Here’s a visual reference you can follow to help plan your treatments:
Timeline | Action |
Day -14 to -7 | Stop using retinol (especially if you have sensitive skin) |
Day -7 to -1 | Use calming skincare only (hyaluronic acid, niacinamide) |
Day 0 | Brow lamination appointment |
Day 1–4 | No retinol or exfoliants, focus on hydration |
Day 5–7 | Gradually reintroduce retinol if no irritation |
Day 7+ | Resume normal skincare routine if skin is stable |
If you’re mid-routine with retinol, here’s how to pivot without losing progress:
Think of your skin as a canvas—brow lamination works best on a smooth, calm surface.
After lamination, prioritise recovery. Here’s what your post-treatment skincare should look like:
When in doubt, less is more. Heal first, glow later.
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