The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Your Permanent Brows in the Summer

Sweat, sun, pools—oh my! Let’s keep those brows flawless.

Here’s the truth: summer is not your brows’ best friend.

I know, I know—summer is all about sunshine, pool parties, beach days, and hot girl walks with an iced coffee in hand. But when you’ve invested in permanent makeup brows, those golden rays and salty swims come with some serious strings attached. The kind of strings that can fade your brows faster than a bottle of SPF left open in the sun.

But don’t freak out. I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know so your brows stay fresh, crisp, and hella pretty all summer long. Whether you’re new to permanent brows or a seasoned beauty babe rocking your second touch-up, this is your go-to summer survival guide for PMU brows.

First, Let’s Get Real: Why Summer Is the Sneaky Villain in Your Brow Journey

Summer seems innocent, right? It’s all fruity drinks and tan lines. But your skin goes through a lot this season—sweat, oil, UV rays, chlorine, sunscreen buildup, sand (ugh), and let’s not forget the chaos of AC-induced dry patches. It’s like your face is constantly at war.

Now toss in your beautiful, healed powder brows—or maybe combo brows you just got done in Springfield, MA—and suddenly the rules change. Permanent makeup doesn’t fade all at once like a bad tan. It fades in layers. It loses crispness. It gets warm or ashy depending on your undertone and pigment choices. And summer accelerates all of that.

But here’s the bold truth nobody tells you: most premature brow fading is preventable. Yep, you heard that right. With a few tweaks to your routine and some summer-savvy strategies, you can keep your brows looking fresh, even and bold until your next touch-up—without living in a bubble or saying no to that poolside margarita.

Let’s break it all down.

Sweat, Sun, Pools—Oh My! (Why They Mess with Your Brows)

Let’s start with sweat. It’s your body’s natural AC system and totally normal, especially in hot New England summers. But for your brows? It’s the devil in disguise.

Sweat is salty. And salty = fading. It draws moisture out of your skin and can break down the pigment in your brows over time—especially if they’re not fully healed or if you’re sweating heavily every day at the gym or working outdoors. Even wiping your sweat away can cause micro-friction. That rubbing, patting, blotting? It adds up.

Next villain: Mr. Sun. UV rays are the number one cause of premature pigment fading. Even in Springfield, MA where the summers might feel short, the UV index can get wild. And don’t think you’re safe on cloudy days—that sun still shows up. When your brows are exposed to UV rays, the pigment molecules break down faster. This can make your brows look lighter, warmer, cooler, or just plain patchy. Not the vibe.

Then we’ve got pools. I’m looking at you, chlorine. That chemical cocktail might keep the water sparkling blue, but it can wreak havoc on your brows. Chlorine strips moisture, dries out skin, and yes—contributes to pigment breakdown. If you’re dunking your face underwater often, your brows are absorbing all of that. The same goes for saltwater at the beach. Even if you’re just bobbing around trying to cool off, your brows are soaking in that salt.

So between all of that—sweat, UV, pool days, and even sunscreen—your brows are working overtime to stay put.

The Summer Do’s and Don’ts You Didn’t Know You Needed

Alright babe, now that we know what we’re up against, let’s talk about what you can actually do about it. Because walking around with a parasol and hiding indoors isn’t the answer. You’ve got places to go and iced lattes to sip.

Let’s start with the summer do’s.

Do wear a hat. Like, a real one—not a cute little visor that shades your forehead halfway. Wide brim, baseball cap, straw hat from that random boutique in Connecticut—anything that gives your brows a break from direct sunlight is a win.

Do blot your sweat, don’t rub. Use a clean paper towel or blotting cloth and gently press. It’s not glamorous, but it works. Keep it in your purse or beach bag. If you’ve got oily skin and live for those long park days in Agawam or Enfield, this little trick will save your brows.

Do use brow-friendly SPF. Not all sunscreens are created equal. Some have ingredients that cause pigment to fade faster or turn colors over time. Look for physical sunscreens with zinc oxide, and if it’s too heavy for your brows, apply it with a Q-tip just around the area—not directly on the pigment.

Now for the don’ts, because girl, these are dealbreakers.

Don’t tan your face. Not with the sun. Not with a tanning bed. Not even with a self-tanner if you’re not being super careful. Why? Because heat, UV, and pigment = unpredictable color shifts. Also, tanning thickens the skin, which can dull your pigment and affect your touch-up results.

Don’t over-exfoliate. I know it’s tempting to scrub away sweat and grime after a day out in Holyoke or lounging by the pool. But exfoliants—especially scrubs, acids, and enzyme masks—break down skin cells. That includes the top layers that hold your PMU pigment. So go gentle. Seriously.

Don’t dunk your face underwater every day. You can still enjoy the water, but maybe skip the daily laps or snorkeling adventures if you’re trying to stretch the life of your brows. Try a cute headband or a no-face-underwater rule if you’re at a beach day in Southwick.

Easy Summer Skincare Swaps That Save Your Brows

You don’t have to ditch your whole skincare routine to protect your brows. But some summer swaps can make a big difference in how long your pigment lasts and how even it looks between touch-ups.

First up: cleanser. Switch to something gentle, hydrating, and low-foaming. If you’ve been using a strong foaming cleanser or exfoliating wash, it could be slowly stripping your brows. Especially after a long sweaty day outside—reach for a creamy or oil-based cleanser instead.

Next: ditch harsh actives. Retinol, glycolic acid, and high-percentage AHAs? Not for your brow area. I’m not saying cut them out entirely—just give your brows some space. Apply those powerhouse products carefully around your brows. Use a Q-tip or just avoid the area altogether.

Moisturize like your pigment depends on it—because it kinda does. A hydrated brow area holds pigment longer. It heals better after touch-ups. It looks more even. Look for non-comedogenic (aka not pore-clogging) moisturizers that are light but nourishing. Bonus points if they contain soothing ingredients like aloe, niacinamide, or panthenol.

Oh—and if you’re using facial mists this summer (because hello, hot and sticky), be mindful of what’s in them. Some contain essential oils or alcohols that aren’t pigment-safe. Keep those spritzes below the brow line.

What If You’re Still Healing This Summer?

Girl, listen closely—fresh brows + summer = high stakes. If you just had your brows done recently or have a touch-up scheduled in the warmer months, you’ve got to baby them like they’re newborns.

Avoid the sun entirely during healing. Not kind of. Not just for 5 minutes. Fully avoid it. Reschedule that beach day in Connecticut. Cancel the boat day. Get that Amazon hat with the giant brim. This is not the time to test your luck.

No sweating. I’m sorry, but workouts, saunas, and hot yoga are all a no-go during healing. Wait at least 10–14 days before resuming. If you sweat too early, you risk pushing the pigment right out of your skin. And that means uneven results or even premature fading that no amount of touch-ups can fix.

Also? Sunscreen is off-limits until fully healed. I know that sounds wild when I just told you sun is the villain. But during healing, your skin needs to breathe and scab gently. No occlusive layers. No heavy creams. Keep it clean, dry, and simple—and follow your artist’s healing plan like your brow life depends on it.

When Should You Book Your Touch-Up or Refresh?

Summer can sometimes trick you into thinking your brows need a refresh when it’s just some sun-fade. Don’t panic and rush in for a touch-up the second you notice a little fading in July.

Here’s the tea: If you had your brows done over a year ago, and they look significantly lighter, book a color refresh. But if they were done in the last 6–12 months, and you’ve just been in the sun a lot lately, give them time to recover. Sometimes your skin just needs a little TLC and better sun protection moving forward.

If you’re unsure, book a quick brow consultation. I offer both virtual and in-person consults here in Springfield, MA—and I’ll help you figure out the best game plan based on what your skin and brows are doing. A lot of my clients from Westfield and even into Connecticut swing by just for a second opinion, and I’m always happy to guide you.

You Invested in Your Brows—Now Protect That Investment

Let’s be honest—you didn’t just wake up one day and get brows tattooed on a whim. You did your research. You trusted a professional. You invested your time, money, and energy into feeling more confident and beautiful.

Don’t let summer undo all of that.

With just a little extra care, your brows can stay crisp and bold through every iced coffee run, pool party, and girls’ trip this season. You don’t have to give up your summer fun—you just need to be a little brow-smart about it.

If you’re ever unsure, don’t be afraid to reach out. Whether you’re local to Springfield, MA or visiting from Connecticut for your PMU touch-up, I’ve got your back (and your brows). And if you’re thinking about getting brows done this summer? Let’s chat first. We’ll make sure you’re set up for success before you jump into the deep end—literally.

Your brows deserve it. And so do you.