{"id":11358,"date":"2026-09-01T00:25:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T15:25:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/?p=11358"},"modified":"2026-09-02T19:16:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T10:16:30","slug":"artmake-aftercare-healing-timeline-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/artmake-aftercare-healing-timeline-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Artmake Aftercare Guide: Healing Timeline &#038; What to Avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\" data-kjmc-en-jsonld=\"v1\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"MedicalWebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/artmake-aftercare-healing-timeline-3\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/artmake-aftercare-healing-timeline-3\/\",\"name\":\"Artmake Aftercare Guide: Healing Timeline &#038; What to Avoid\",\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/#website\"},\"about\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/#clinic-biotope\"},\"reviewedBy\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/#physician-karibe\"},\"lastReviewed\":\"2026-08-31\"},{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"MedicalWebPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/artmake-aftercare-healing-timeline-3\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/artmake-aftercare-healing-timeline-3\/#webpage\"},\"headline\":\"Artmake Aftercare Guide: Healing Timeline &#038; What to Avoid\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/artmake-aftercare-healing-timeline-3\/\",\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/#physician-karibe\"},\"reviewedBy\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/#physician-karibe\"},\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/#organization\"},\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/artmake-aftercare-healing-timeline-3\/#webpage\"},\"description\":\"Our artmake aftercare guide covers the healing timeline and what to avoid week by week, plus warning signs to watch. Talk to our English-speaking Tokyo team.\",\"image\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kjmc-en-eyecatch-20260831-122015.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-31\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-31\",\"lastReviewed\":\"2026-08-31\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/artmake-aftercare-healing-timeline-3\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Cosmetic Treatments\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/column\/cosmetic-treatments\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Artmake Aftercare Guide: Healing Timeline &#038; What to Avoid\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/artmake-aftercare-healing-timeline-3\/\"}]}]}<\/script><br \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How long does artmake take to heal?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Surface healing typically involves scabbing and itching through the first week, with flaking complete after that. A touch-up session is usually scheduled at around two to three weeks, once the initial healing has settled.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I wash my face after artmake?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Direct water contact on the treated area should be avoided for the first 48 hours. After that, wash gently around the area and avoid exfoliants, acids and anti-ageing creams on it for at least one week.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"When can I swim or use a sauna or onsen again?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Swimming, steam and sauna should be avoided for a minimum of two weeks. Immersing healing skin raises the risk of infection and can disturb pigment retention.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Why does my artmake look so much lighter after two weeks?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Significant fading during the first several weeks is expected as the skin sheds and pigment settles. The follow-up session exists specifically to add pigment to areas that did not retain it.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is artmake legal in beauty salons in Japan?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"No. Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has stated that artmake is a medical act, and performing it commercially without a physician's licence violates Article 17 of the Medical Practitioners Act.\"}}]}<\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Artmake Aftercare: Healing Timeline and What to Avoid<\/h2>\n<figure style=\"margin: 1.5em 0;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 100%; height: auto; border-radius: 8px;\" title=\"Artmake aftercare guide: healing timeline and what \u2014 Artmake Aftercare: Healing Timeline and What to Avoid\" src=\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels_16057715_1788146409.webp\" alt=\"Artmake aftercare guide: healing timeline and what \u2014 Artmake Aftercare: Healing Timeline and What to Avoid\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Deciding to have <strong>artmake<\/strong> done is one thing; getting through the two weeks afterwards without panicking is another.<\/p>\n<p>Many people are unprepared for how dark the pigment looks on day two, how much it flakes on day five, or how much lighter it appears by week three \u2014 and worry that something has gone wrong when, in most cases, it has not.<\/p>\n<p>This guide sets out what the healing process actually looks like, what you should avoid at each stage, and which symptoms are worth having assessed by a doctor. It is written for English-speaking residents and visitors researching artmake in Tokyo.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What you&#8217;ll learn in this article:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What artmake is, how the pigment is placed, and why it is legally a medical procedure in Japan<\/li>\n<li>A week-by-week healing timeline, including why a second session is normally required<\/li>\n<li>A clear list of what to avoid \u2014 water, heat, sun, exfoliants, makeup and hair removal \u2014 and for how long<\/li>\n<li>Warning signs of infection or allergic reaction, and when to seek medical review<\/li>\n<li>How artmake pricing is structured in Tokyo, and where our clinic group performs it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"kjmc-en-booking-inline\" style=\"background: #f7fbf7; border: 1px solid #d5e6d8; border-radius: 10px; padding: 16px 20px; margin: 26px 0; text-align: center;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 12px; color: #1a3a1f; font-size: 0.95em; line-height: 1.65;\"><strong>Have a question about this treatment?<\/strong><br \/>\nMessage us on LINE or WhatsApp \u2014 our English-speaking team usually replies the same day.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; line-height: 1;\"><a style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; background: #06C755; color: #fff; padding: 10px 20px; border-radius: 8px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 0.92em; margin: 4px 6px; white-space: nowrap; vertical-align: middle;\" href=\"https:\/\/line.me\/R\/ti\/p\/@710uitns?ts=05311801&amp;oat_content=url#~\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Book via LINE<\/a><br \/>\n<a style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; background: #25D366; color: #fff; padding: 10px 20px; border-radius: 8px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 0.92em; margin: 4px 6px; white-space: nowrap; vertical-align: middle;\" href=\"https:\/\/whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029VbCA1v85K3zY4MLX2a1h\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Message on WhatsApp<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>What Is Artmake, and How Is It Different from a Tattoo?<\/h2>\n<figure style=\"margin: 1.5em 0;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 100%; height: auto; border-radius: 8px;\" title=\"Artmake aftercare guide: healing timeline and what \u2014 What Is Artmake, and How Is It Different from a Tattoo\" src=\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels_8826403_1788146410.webp\" alt=\"Artmake aftercare guide: healing timeline and what \u2014 What Is Artmake, and How Is It Different from a Tattoo\" \/><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Artmake (\u30a2\u30fc\u30c8\u30e1\u30a4\u30af)<\/strong> is the term used in Japan for cosmetic tattooing, also known internationally as permanent makeup or micropigmentation. Fine needles deposit pigment into the skin of the eyebrows, eyelids or lips to define or restore features that makeup would otherwise create each morning.<\/p>\n<h3>How the pigment is placed<\/h3>\n<p><strong>In microblading<\/strong> \u2014 one of the common hairstroke techniques used in artmake \u2014 pigment is deposited as far as the papillary dermis, the uppermost layer of the dermis, using a handheld device with stacked needles (Marwah et al., <em>Indian Dermatology Online Journal<\/em>, 2021). Because the skin continuously renews itself at this depth, the result is semi-permanent rather than lifelong.<\/p>\n<p>That same publication reports that results are semi-permanent and typically last around 12 to 18 months, although some individual strokes may persist. This is precisely why aftercare matters: how the skin heals in the first fortnight influences how much pigment is retained.<\/p>\n<h3>The regulatory difference in Japan<\/h3>\n<p>This is where Japan differs sharply from many other countries. In a notice dated 3 July 2023 (\u533b\u653f\u533b\u767a0703\u7b2c4\u53f7), Japan&#8217;s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare confirmed that artmake of the eyebrows and eyeliner constitutes a medical act, and that performing it commercially without a physician&#8217;s licence violates Article 17 of the Medical Practitioners Act.<\/p>\n<p>The Ministry distinguished artmake from decorative tattooing, which a 2020 Supreme Court decision held was not a medical act. A further notice of 15 August 2025 (\u533b\u653f\u767a0815\u7b2c21\u53f7) reinforced that nurses may not perform such procedures without a physician&#8217;s instruction, and that physicians retain responsibility for clinical judgement and safety management.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; margin: 20px 0; font-size: 0.95em; border: 1px solid #ccc;\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; background: #f1faf3; text-align: left; font-weight: bold;\">Feature<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; background: #f1faf3; text-align: left; font-weight: bold;\">Artmake \/ permanent makeup<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; background: #f1faf3; text-align: left; font-weight: bold;\">Microblading (a hairstroke artmake technique)<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; background: #f1faf3; text-align: left; font-weight: bold;\">Decorative tattoo<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Purpose<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Replace or enhance everyday makeup<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Simulate individual eyebrow hairs<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Decorative body art<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Pigment depth<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Superficial skin layers<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">To the papillary dermis<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Intended to be long-lasting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Expected longevity<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Semi-permanent; commonly 12\u201318 months<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Semi-permanent; commonly 12\u201318 months<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Long-term<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Follow-up session<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Usually required<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Touch-up at roughly 2\u20133 weeks<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Not routine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Status in Japan<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Medical act; physician licence required<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Medical act; physician licence required<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px 12px; vertical-align: top;\">Held not to be a medical act (2020 Supreme Court)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>The Artmake Healing Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week<\/h2>\n<figure style=\"margin: 1.5em 0;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 100%; height: auto; border-radius: 8px;\" title=\"Artmake aftercare guide: healing timeline and what \u2014 The Artmake Healing Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week\" src=\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels_5128265_1788146411.webp\" alt=\"Artmake aftercare guide: healing timeline and what \u2014 The Artmake Healing Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week\" \/><\/figure>\n<h3>Days 1\u20132: the darkest phase<\/h3>\n<p>Immediately afterwards the area usually looks noticeably darker, sharper and slightly swollen compared with the final result. Some redness, tenderness and clear fluid are part of normal healing after any tattooing procedure, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.<\/p>\n<p>For the first 48 hours, guidance published in the <em>Indian Dermatology Online Journal<\/em> advises avoiding touching the treated area, exercise, and contact with water.<\/p>\n<h3>Days 3\u20137: flaking and itching<\/h3>\n<p>Scabbing and itching are described as normal during the first week. Fine flakes lift away, often taking surface pigment with them, and the brows or lips can look patchy from one day to the next.<\/p>\n<p>This stage is where most avoidable problems occur, because picking or scratching removes pigment unevenly and creates an entry point for bacteria.<\/p>\n<h3>Weeks 2\u20134: the &#8220;ghosting&#8221; phase and the touch-up<\/h3>\n<p>Once flaking finishes, colour often looks unexpectedly faint before the pigment settles and re-emerges. A mandatory touch-up is generally scheduled at two to three weeks, at which point only the areas that did not retain pigment are re-treated; strokes that healed well are left alone.<\/p>\n<p>Expect meaningful fading during this early period rather than after it. Planning for two appointments from the outset is realistic, not a sign that the first session failed.<\/p>\n<h2>What to Avoid While Your Artmake Heals<\/h2>\n<figure style=\"margin: 1.5em 0;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 100%; height: auto; border-radius: 8px;\" title=\"Artmake aftercare guide: healing timeline and what \u2014 What to Avoid While Your Artmake Heals\" src=\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels_3373735_1788146412.webp\" alt=\"Artmake aftercare guide: healing timeline and what \u2014 What to Avoid While Your Artmake Heals\" \/><\/figure>\n<h3>First 48 hours<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Do not touch, rub or scratch the treated area.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid exercise and anything that causes sweating.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid direct water contact on the area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>First one to two weeks<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Avoid swimming, steam rooms and saunas for at least two weeks.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid exfoliants, anti-ageing creams and astringents for one week \u2014 this includes retinoid and acid-based skincare.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid applying makeup over the area during initial healing.<\/li>\n<li>Do not pick or peel scabs; let them separate on their own.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Longer term<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Avoid waxing or threading the brow area for six weeks.<\/li>\n<li>Use sunscreen, since ultraviolet exposure degrades pigment. The AAD recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher, applied 15 minutes before going outside and reapplied at least every two hours.<\/li>\n<li>If the skin feels dry, the AAD advises a water-based lotion or cream rather than petroleum-based products, which can cause ink to fade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Warning signs that need medical review<\/h3>\n<p>Increasing or spreading redness, drainage, crusting or pus warrants prompt medical attention. Infection is not always immediate: the AAD notes it may appear straight away or days to months later.<\/p>\n<p>The speed at which problems can escalate is documented. In a case reported in <em>JAAD Case Reports<\/em>, pustules appeared one day after microblading and progressed to bilateral preseptal cellulitis over the following ten days, ultimately requiring intravenous antibiotics. This is uncommon, but it illustrates why treatment in a medical setting with follow-up access matters.<\/p>\n<h2>Common Misconceptions About Artmake Healing<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Misconception 1: &#8220;Artmake is permanent, so it will look like this forever.&#8221;<\/strong> The published dermatological literature describes results as semi-permanent, commonly lasting 12 to 18 months, with fading concentrated in the early weeks. Artmake should be planned as something to be maintained, not a single irreversible decision \u2014 though it also cannot be assumed to disappear entirely, as some strokes may persist.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Misconception 2: &#8220;If it healed fine after two weeks, no reaction can occur.&#8221;<\/strong> Delayed reactions are well documented. A 2026 systematic review in <em>Cureus<\/em> covering 144 patients across 19 studies found a mean latency of 3.9 years \u2014 with a range from roughly two months to 20 years \u2014 before granulomatous skin reactions appeared following tattooing or cosmetic micropigmentation, with black pigment implicated in 98 cases. The AAD similarly notes that allergic reactions to ink, most often red, can appear immediately, weeks later, or years later.<\/p>\n<p>A related point on hygiene: a US survey of 47 unopened permanent makeup inks found bacterial contamination in nine of them (19 per cent), and three of 18 inks labelled as sterile were still contaminated. Pigment sourcing and sterile technique are therefore not trivial details.<\/p>\n<h2>The Cost of Artmake in Tokyo<\/h2>\n<figure style=\"margin: 1.5em 0;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 100%; height: auto; border-radius: 8px;\" title=\"Artmake aftercare guide: healing timeline and what \u2014 The Cost of Artmake in Tokyo\" src=\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels_6135629_1788146412.webp\" alt=\"Artmake aftercare guide: healing timeline and what \u2014 The Cost of Artmake in Tokyo\" \/><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Artmake<\/strong> in Tokyo is generally priced per session and per area \u2014 eyebrows, eyeliner and lips are quoted separately \u2014 and because a follow-up session at roughly two to three weeks is standard practice, a realistic budget covers two appointments rather than one.<\/p>\n<p>Price is also affected by the technique used, the number of areas treated, and whether topical or local anaesthesia is included. Artmake is a self-pay (\u81ea\u7531\u8a3a\u7642) cosmetic procedure and is not covered by Japanese national health insurance.<\/p>\n<p>We do not publish estimated figures here, because artmake pricing changes and an outdated number is worse than none. Please see the BIOTOPE CLINIC official price page or contact us via LINE \/ WhatsApp for a current quote. To confirm the latest pricing for your specific case, book a consultation with<strong> BIOTOPE CLINIC<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"kjmc-en-booking-inline\" style=\"background: #f7fbf7; border: 1px solid #d5e6d8; border-radius: 10px; padding: 16px 20px; margin: 26px 0; text-align: center;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 12px; color: #1a3a1f; font-size: 0.95em; line-height: 1.65;\"><strong>Have a question about this treatment?<\/strong><br \/>\nMessage us on LINE or WhatsApp \u2014 our English-speaking team usually replies the same day.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; line-height: 1;\"><a style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; background: #06C755; color: #fff; padding: 10px 20px; border-radius: 8px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 0.92em; margin: 4px 6px; white-space: nowrap; vertical-align: middle;\" href=\"https:\/\/line.me\/R\/ti\/p\/@710uitns?ts=05311801&amp;oat_content=url#~\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Book via LINE<\/a><br \/>\n<a style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; background: #25D366; color: #fff; padding: 10px 20px; border-radius: 8px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 0.92em; margin: 4px 6px; white-space: nowrap; vertical-align: middle;\" href=\"https:\/\/whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029VbCA1v85K3zY4MLX2a1h\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Message on WhatsApp<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Where to Get Artmake in Tokyo (Our Sister Clinic BIOTOPE)<\/h2>\n<figure style=\"margin: 1.5em 0;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 100%; height: auto; border-radius: 8px;\" title=\"Artmake aftercare guide: healing timeline and what \u2014 Where to Get Artmake in Tokyo (Our Sister Clinic BIOTOPE)\" src=\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels_3064717_1788146413.webp\" alt=\"Artmake aftercare guide: healing timeline and what \u2014 Where to Get Artmake in Tokyo (Our Sister Clinic BIOTOPE)\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Within our clinic group, artmake is performed at BIOTOPE CLINIC in Shirokanedai (Minato-ku), directed by Dr. Jun Karibe. Our English-speaking team covers both clinics and handles all English enquiries.<\/p>\n<p>Kojimachi Dermatology &amp; Plastic Surgery Clinic in Ichigaya, Chiyoda-ku, is the group&#8217;s main clinic and does not perform artmake. Enquiries received there for artmake are directed to BIOTOPE CLINIC, and the two share the same official LINE account and English intake team.<\/p>\n<p>Given the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare&#8217;s position that artmake is a medical act, choosing a licensed medical facility is not merely a matter of preference \u2014 it determines whether the procedure is lawful, and whether a physician is available if a complication such as infection or a delayed reaction develops.<\/p>\n<h3>Who is a good candidate?<\/h3>\n<p>Artmake suits people who want to reduce daily makeup time, those with sparse eyebrows, and those restoring definition after hair loss. It is less suitable if you have active skin disease, infection or inflammation at the treatment site, a known pigment allergy, or a tendency to keloid scarring.<\/p>\n<p>If you are immunocompromised, pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication affecting bleeding or wound healing, raise this at consultation so suitability and timing can be assessed individually.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<dl class=\"kj-faq\">\n<dt>Q. How long does artmake take to heal?<\/dt>\n<dd>Surface healing typically involves scabbing and itching through the first week, with flaking complete after that. A touch-up session is usually scheduled at around two to three weeks, once the initial healing has settled.<\/dd>\n<dd><\/dd>\n<dt>Q. Can I wash my face after artmake?<\/dt>\n<dd>Direct water contact on the treated area should be avoided for the first 48 hours. After that, wash gently around the area and avoid exfoliants, acids and anti-ageing creams on it for at least one week.<\/dd>\n<dd>Swimming, steam and sauna should be avoided for a minimum of two weeks. Immersing healing skin raises the risk of infection and can disturb pigment retention.<\/dd>\n<dd><\/dd>\n<dt>Q. Why does my artmake look so much lighter after two weeks?<\/dt>\n<dd>Significant fading during the first several weeks is expected as the skin sheds and pigment settles. The follow-up session exists specifically to add pigment to areas that did not retain it.<\/dd>\n<dd><\/dd>\n<dt>Q. Is artmake legal in beauty salons in Japan?<\/dt>\n<dd>No. Japan&#8217;s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has stated that artmake is a medical act, and performing it commercially without a physician&#8217;s licence violates Article 17 of the Medical Practitioners Act.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<div class=\"kjmc-en-booking-inline\" style=\"background: #f7fbf7; border: 1px solid #d5e6d8; border-radius: 10px; padding: 16px 20px; margin: 26px 0; text-align: center;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 12px; color: #1a3a1f; font-size: 0.95em; line-height: 1.65;\"><strong>Have a question about this treatment?<\/strong><br \/>\nMessage us on LINE or WhatsApp \u2014 our English-speaking team usually replies the same day.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; line-height: 1;\"><a style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; background: #06C755; color: #fff; padding: 10px 20px; border-radius: 8px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 0.92em; margin: 4px 6px; white-space: nowrap; vertical-align: middle;\" href=\"https:\/\/line.me\/R\/ti\/p\/@710uitns?ts=05311801&amp;oat_content=url#~\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Book via LINE<\/a><br \/>\n<a style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; background: #25D366; color: #fff; padding: 10px 20px; border-radius: 8px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 0.92em; margin: 4px 6px; white-space: nowrap; vertical-align: middle;\" href=\"https:\/\/whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029VbCA1v85K3zY4MLX2a1h\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Message on WhatsApp<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Summary<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Artmake<\/strong> healing follows a predictable arc: darker than expected for two days, flaky and itchy through the first week, unexpectedly faint by weeks two to three, then settling. Most disappointment comes from judging the result too early rather than from a genuine problem.<\/p>\n<p>The avoidance list is short but firm \u2014 no touching, sweating or water for 48 hours; no swimming, steam or sauna for two weeks; no exfoliants for a week; no waxing or threading for six weeks; and daily sun protection thereafter. Following it protects both the pigment and the skin.<\/p>\n<p>Because artmake is classified as a medical act in Japan, having it performed in a licensed clinic gives you access to a physician if infection, an allergic reaction, or a delayed granulomatous reaction develops \u2014 risks that are uncommon but genuine, and that can appear well after the procedure.<\/p>\n<div class=\"kjmc-en-booking-box\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(135deg,#f1faf3 0%,#e6f3ea 100%); border-radius: 14px; padding: 32px 24px; margin: 36px 0 24px; border: 1px solid #c5dccd; text-align: center;\">\n<h3 style=\"margin: 0 0 8px; color: #3a6e3a; border: none; padding: 0; font-size: 1.3em;\">24\/7 Consultation &amp; Booking<\/h3>\n<div style=\"width: 48px; height: 2px; background: #3a6e3a; margin: 0 auto 22px;\"><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 12px; color: #1a3a1f; font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: bold;\">Book a Consultation or Treatment<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 24px; color: #2c4a35; line-height: 1.75;\">Our English-speaking team responds via LINE or WhatsApp \u2014 usually the same day.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 10px; line-height: 1;\"><a style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 10px; background: #06C755; color: #fff; padding: 14px 32px; border-radius: 10px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.02em; box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(6,199,85,0.25); min-width: 240px; white-space: nowrap;\" href=\"https:\/\/line.me\/R\/ti\/p\/@710uitns?ts=05311801&amp;oat_content=url#~\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Book via LINE<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; line-height: 1;\"><a style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 10px; background: #25D366; color: #fff; padding: 14px 32px; border-radius: 10px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.02em; box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(37,211,102,0.25); min-width: 240px; white-space: nowrap;\" href=\"https:\/\/whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029VbCA1v85K3zY4MLX2a1h\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Message on WhatsApp<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>References<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Marwah MK, Kerure AS, Marwah GS. Microblading and the Science Behind it. Indian Dermatology Online Journal. 2021;12(1):6\u201311.<\/li>\n<li>Yoon S, Kondakala S, Nho SW, Moon MS, Huang MCJ, Periz G, Kweon O, Kim S. Microbiological Survey of 47 Permanent Makeup Inks Available in the United States. Microorganisms. 2022;10(4):820.<\/li>\n<li>Akoh CC, Akintilo L, Shankar S, Lo Sicco K. A rare case of microblading-induced preseptal cellulitis. JAAD Case Reports. 2021;16:98\u2013100.<\/li>\n<li>Rajan YRD, Deepthi S, Dosakayala B, Mummadireddy S, Erri SD, Alaparthi R. Clinical Presentations of Granulomatous Skin Reactions Following Tattooing and Cosmetic Micropigmentation: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2026;18(1):e102227.<\/li>\n<li>Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan. Notice on the handling of so-called artmake by persons without a physician&#8217;s licence (\u533b\u653f\u533b\u767a0703\u7b2c4\u53f7), 3 July 2023; and Notice on the handling of cosmetic medicine (\u533b\u653f\u767a0815\u7b2c21\u53f7), 15 August 2025.<\/li>\n<li>American Academy of Dermatology. Caring for tattooed skin; and Tattoos: 7 unexpected skin reactions and what to do about them.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Related Articles<\/h2>\n<p>You may also find these articles useful.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/artmake-pain-safety-side-effects-3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Artmake Pain, Safety &amp; Side Effects Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/eyebrow-artmake-tokyo-guide-4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Eyebrow Artmake Tokyo: Cost, Procedure &amp; Clinic Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/eyeliner-artmake-tokyo-guide-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Eyeliner Artmake Tokyo: Safety, Technique &amp; Results<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/artmake-microblading-tattoo-tokyo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Artmake vs Microblading vs Tattoo: Tokyo Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/artmake-foreigners-tokyo-english-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Artmake for Foreigners in Tokyo: English Clinic Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"margin: 2.5em 0 1em; padding: 1.5em; border: 1px solid #d5d5d5; border-radius: 10px; background: #fafafa; font-size: .9em;\">\n<p style=\"font-size: .72em; font-weight: bold; color: #888; margin: 0 0 1.2em; letter-spacing: .08em;\">SUPERVISED BY<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 1.2em; flex-wrap: wrap;\">\n<div style=\"flex-shrink: 0; text-align: center; min-width: 110px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 50%; object-fit: cover; object-position: top center; display: block; margin: 0 auto; border: 3px solid #e0e0e0;\" src=\"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/hon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/photo-karibejun-400-3_re-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Jun Karibe MD \u2014 Board-certified Plastic Surgeon, Director of Kojimachi Dermatology &amp; Plastic Surgery Clinic\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: .6em 0 .1em; font-weight: bold; font-size: .95em; color: #222;\">Dr. Jun Karibe<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 .1em; font-size: .75em; color: #999;\">MD<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; font-size: .75em; color: #555; font-weight: bold;\">Director<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"flex: 1; min-width: 200px;\">\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: .75em; background: #fff; border: 1px solid #ebebeb; border-radius: 6px; padding: .7em 1em;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 .35em; font-size: .78em; font-weight: bold; color: #666; border-bottom: 1px solid #f2f2f2; padding-bottom: .3em;\">Education &amp; Career<\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: .82em; color: #444; line-height: 1.75;\">\n<div>Juntendo University School of Medicine<\/div>\n<div>Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Tokyo Hospital<\/div>\n<div>Assistant Professor, Plastic &amp; Cosmetic Surgery, Saitama Medical University<\/div>\n<div>Assistant Professor &amp; Chief Resident, Yamanashi University Hospital<\/div>\n<div>2019: Founded Kojimachi Dermatology &amp; Plastic Surgery Clinic (Ichigaya, Tokyo)<\/div>\n<div>2021: Founded BIOTOPE CLINIC Shirokanedai (Minato-ku, Tokyo)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: .75em; background: #fff; border: 1px solid #ebebeb; border-radius: 6px; padding: .7em 1em;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 .35em; font-size: .78em; font-weight: bold; color: #666; border-bottom: 1px solid #f2f2f2; padding-bottom: .3em;\">Certifications<\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: .82em; color: #444; line-height: 1.75;\">\n<div>Board-certified Plastic Surgeon \u2014 Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery<\/div>\n<div>Specialist \u2014 Japan Society of Anti-Aging Medicine<\/div>\n<div>Certified Industrial Physician \u2014 Japan Medical Association<\/div>\n<div>Allergan VST-certified Injector (Botox &amp; Hyaluronic Acid)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #fff; border: 1px solid #ebebeb; border-radius: 6px; padding: .7em 1em;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 .35em; font-size: .78em; font-weight: bold; color: #666; border-bottom: 1px solid #f2f2f2; padding-bottom: .3em;\">Awards<\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: .82em; color: #444; line-height: 1.75;\">\n<div>Best Presentation Award \u2014 Dept. of Plastic Surgery, University of Tokyo (2016)<\/div>\n<div>Excellence Award \u2014 Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2018)<\/div>\n<div>Featured Presentation \u2014 ASPS Annual Scientific Meeting, USA (2018)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 1em; padding-top: .75em; border-top: 1px solid #e8e8e8; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; gap: .5em;\"><a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #e1306c; color: #fff; padding: .4em .9em; border-radius: 4px; text-decoration: none; font-size: .8em; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/dr.jun_\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top:1em;padding-top:.75em;border-top:1px dashed #d5d5d5;font-size:.78em;color:#555;line-height:1.7;\">\n<p style=\"margin:0 0 .3em;font-size:.72em;font-weight:bold;color:#888;letter-spacing:.08em;\">MEDICAL REVIEW<\/p>\n<div><strong>Jun Karibe, MD<\/strong> &mdash; Board-certified Plastic Surgeon \u2014 Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery<\/div>\n<div>Medical Director, BIOTOPE CLINIC<\/div>\n<div>Last medically reviewed: 2026-08-31<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Our artmake aftercare guide covers the healing timeline and what to avoid week by week, plus warning signs to watch. Talk to our English-speaking Tokyo team.","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":11357,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,21],"tags":[776,381,295,216,218,205,26],"class_list":["post-11358","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cosmetic-treatments","category-skin-dermatology","tag-cosmetic-tattoo","tag-aftercare","tag-eyebrow-tattoo","tag-healing-timeline","tag-permanent-makeup","tag-artmake","tag-tokyo-clinic"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11358","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11358"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11358\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11436,"href":"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11358\/revisions\/11436"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11357"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11358"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11358"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kojihifu.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11358"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}