What Is Microblading and How Long Does It Last?

The pigment fades away over the next 8-10 months making it a semipermanent procedure. Once the patient notices that the pigments from their eyebrows have begun to noticeably fade, they will need to go back to their cosmetologist for touch-up application.

During the touch-up, the cosmetologist may address color and pigment loss. They can also discuss if the patient would like any changes in the shape and color of their brows.

After the touch-up, their brows will last for 6-9 months or sometimes a year depending on their skin type and preferred look. The patient will only need an annual touch-up to refresh the color of their brows. The color of their makeup is semipermanent. Therefore, it will require some maintenance.

The duration of fading of the patient’s eyebrow color depends on

• How they are following the after-care instructions
• Sun exposure
• Other skincare treatments such as chemical peels and Retinol use
• Consumption of medicines aspirin, niacin, and vitamin E
• Lifestyle factors such as
  • Smoking
  • Working out with heavy sweating
• Colors chosen (lighter colors may fade away faster).

Immediately after the microblading procedure, the patient’s eyebrows may appear to be too dark or too thick or even look unnatural. Within 1 or 2 weeks, the color of their eyebrows will begin to fade, and they may appear more natural. After around 6-8 weeks, the color may get too faint or light. It means that the patient needs a touch-up session. During a touch-up session, the therapist will adjust or correct the color that faded. The patient will lose on an average 20-40% of their initial color.

Before going for microblading, the patient must avoid:

• Botox treatment at least 3 weeks before and 4 weeks after the procedure.
• Chemical peeling procedure on the face 60 days prior and after this procedure, otherwise their brows will peel quicker due to chemicals traveling under the skin.
• Waxing or tinting 3 days before.
• Make-up on the day of the procedure and after the procedure for a week.
• Picking, scabbing, tubbing, or itching their eyebrows.
• Saunas and swimming until the area is properly healed.
• Retinol (Retin-A) or anti-aging treatments or acne creams or serums that contain acids for at least 7 days before this procedure, otherwise their brows will fade away prematurely.
• Tanning and sun exposure of the face on the day of this procedure.
• Consumption of aspirin, niacin, vitamin E, fish oil, primrose oil, CoQ10, and ibuprofen at least 48 hours before this procedure.
• Heavy workout or sweat on the day of the procedure or 2 weeks before the procedure.

The patient may get the following side effects after microblading:

• Residual tattooing
• Paradoxical darkening
• Dark eyebrows
• Faint eyebrows
• Infection of skin and boils where the needle cuts into the skin
• Reaction to the tattoo ink