How long does Microblading eyebrows last?
Microblading is a semi-permanent way of enhancing the look of one’s eyebrows using a small needle and pigment that creates fine strokes that look like hairs. This creates a well-defined natural brow that is great for people who don’t have time to do their eyebrows every day.
Depending on your skincare and sun exposure, micro bladed eyebrows can last between 18 months and three years. Typically, around seven months, they begin to lose their sharpness and should be touched up. How you care for your eyebrows during the healing process can play a factor in how long they last.
Microblading is a great way to fill in your eyebrows once and then not have to worry about it every day. If you are thinking about getting your eyebrows microbladed but are wondering if they are worth it, here is a guide letting you know how long they’ll last, if they fade, different factors that affect how long they last, and more.
How Long Do Microbladed Eyebrows Last?
Once you have your eyebrows microbladed, it will take them 10-14 days to fully heal. Once the pigment has settled into the skin, it can last between 18 months and three years. However, they will not stay perfect that entire time, and they’ll begin to fade around seven months.
How long they last depend on if you properly cared for them while they were healing and your sun exposure and skincare routines. During the healing process, the skin near your brows will be very sensitive. It’ll scab and flake, but like with tattoos, you cannot peel off the skin, or you’ll lose the pigment.
Along with losing pigment, scratching at your brows can introduce bacteria to the area, which can lead to infections. Because the procedure creates very small cuts on the skin, it is crucial to keep the area clean and free of moisture.
It is recommended that you get a touchup after six weeks that will help solidify the shape of your brows and help the pigment last longer. Without this touchup, your microbladed eyebrows may only last 2-6 months.
Taking care of your eyebrows after microblading
How you care for your eyebrows during the first two weeks after the application is important for how long your microbladed eyebrows will last. Because the pigment is much darker than what the result will be, it is recommended to gently wipe the excess ink using a wet sterilized cotton ball two hours after application. This will also help keep the brow area sterile.
During the weeks of healing, you should keep the area dry and free of lotion and makeup. You’ll also want to use a cream that is recommended by your microblading artist twice a day. This will help keep infections away.
There are also several things you should avoid during healing:
- Direct sun exposure
- Long, hot showers
- Saunas
- Pools
- Facials
- Sweating and working out
- Sleeping on your face
- Products that contain acid
- Exfoliants
After the first couple of weeks, still avoid touching the area, don’t scratch, and try to keep your hair out of your face. Once your brows are healed, you can take extra precautions by using an SPF 30 on them and avoid putting foundation over them. (Source: The Brow Studio)
During your healing time and afterward, here are some good practices that will help keep your brows healthy:
- Drink water – Drinking plenty of water can help keep your skin healthy and flake-free
- Proper nutrition – What you eat also helps keep your skin healthy
- No smoking – Smoking can affect your skin and also slow down the healing process
- Ingest iron – If you are low on iron, consider taking a supplement. Because pigment is iron oxide-based, if you are low on iron, your body will soak up the pigment and leave you with an orange tint
Will Microblading Fade Completely?
How long it takes for microblading to fade varies, but it does eventually fade entirely if done right. The natural pigment that is used is meant to be broken down and metabolized out of your body, so it is meant to fade completely.
However, the type of skin you have and your skincare routine will determine how long they’ll take to fade completely. Another significant factor in how long it takes microblading to fade is how deep the pigment is inserted. The deeper it is, the longer it’ll take to fade completely.
Microblading is not the same as eyebrow tattooing because tattooing is meant to be a permanent procedure while microblading is semi-permanent. The pigments used for tattooing is made up of heavier metals that are not meant to be broken down. (Source: Chic Lash Boutique)
Does Microblading Ruin Your Natural Eyebrows?
There is a common misconception that microblading can ruin your natural eyebrows, but as long as you are working with a skilled professional, there should be no harm in your natural eyebrows.
For microblading to ruin your natural brows, the needle will have to be inserted into the dermis layer where the hair follicle grows from. If the needle does not go that far, there should be no harm to hair growth. (Source: Romper)
Some people have found that their natural hairs were cut off either by the professional or by the procedure. But that should not ruin your natural eyebrows because the roots are still attached and will grow back eventually.
The best thing to do to make sure your natural eyebrows don’t get ruined is to speak to different professionals and reach out to people to share their experiences. Voice your concerns and find someone who knows not to go into the dermis layer.
How Long Does Microblading Last on Oily Skin?
If you have oily skin, you can still get your brows microbladed, but they may not be as long-lasting as you’d like. Having large amounts of oil being secreted from your skin can make it harder for the pigment to stick. (Source: Healthline)
You can try out oily face treatments to decrease the oil from your skin and help the microblading last longer!
The touchup session is very important for people with oily skin. A problem that oily skin experiences is that the pigment can spread a little. So many professionals will create fewer strokes, see how it heals, and then add more at the touchup session. Make sure you let your artist know that you have oily skin.
Another factor for how long it’ll last is the type of pigment that is used. Usually, a glycerin-based pigment is used, but for oily skin, a water-based pigment is best to prevent spreading. Unfortunately, microblading on oily skin will last about a year shorter than average, so 18 months to two years.
How long it lasts varies depending on the person’s skincare routines. People with oily skin tend to use skincare products that are supposed to help lessen the production of skin oils. These are products that have acids or retinol which affect the pigment. If you use these products, avoid putting them around your brows.
Oily skin may require more than one touchup, which may need to be done every couple of months. Although this can be expensive, it is cheaper to pay for a touchup instead of paying full price after they have fully faded.
(Source: Nylon)
How Long Does Microblading Last on Large Pores
People who have large pores are also concerned about whether they should have their eyebrows microbladed. Just like oily skin, large pores can cause problems with the microblading pigment that is used. The different levels of the skin cause the pigment to look blurry and uneven.
Some say that microblading isn’t a good idea for people with large pores, so you should seek a professional’s opinion. If you do choose to get microblading done, know that the results won’t last as long as you’d like. They usually last around 18 months. (Source: NY Post)
Who Isn’t a Candidate for Microblading?
You should make sure you are in good health before setting up a microblading appointment.
Those who should avoid this procedure are:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- People prone to keloids, thin skin, and hyperpigmentation
- Individuals with transmittable blood diseases
- People undergoing chemotherapy
- If you have shingles or eczema near the brow
Preparation for Microblading
For the best results when microblading your brows, properly preparing them before the procedure can help the pigment to stick.
Preparation includes:
- Avoiding caffeine the day of your appointment
- No tanning for three days before
- No waxing or plucking two days before
- No chemical peels or intense facials 2-3 weeks before
- Washing your face and washing and styling your hair since your brows shouldn’t get wet for at least seven days after
- Avoiding blood thinners like aspirin or ibuprofen for pain relief and fish oil and vitamin E one week before
- Stop using retinol or Botox a month before
When you arrive at your appointment, make sure you voice any concerns so that the artist can help you feel comfortable. You will be given a numbing cream to reduce discomfort, and the procedure can last up to two hours. (Source: Medical News Today)
Fading Your Microbladed Eyebrows
If you are unhappy with your microbladed eyebrows and are looking to fade them intentionally, there are ways to do that.
There are several reasons why someone may not be happy with their results:
- Pigment is too dark or too light
- Doesn’t match the shape of their face
- Don’t like the shape of the brow
- The brow is too thick
You should wait at least a week to decide if you are completely unhappy with the microblading, especially if the shade is your biggest worry because at first, they are darker than the final result.
The first thing you can do to help fade your eyebrows is not to follow the aftercare instructions. But because you will have tiny cuts in your skin, you should still use a cream that will help your skin heal without getting infected.
Other ideas include:
- Exfoliation scrubs – This will take away any flaking with pigment attached and allow for new skin growth.
- Saunas – Being in heat will help make you sweat a lot, which can help the fading process.
- Don’t do the touchup – The touchup is supposed to help make the results last longer, so if you don’t book it, the microblading won’t last as long.
- Microdermabrasions – This is a facial that will help exfoliate the top layer of skin.
- Don’t use an SPF – Sun exposure can help with fading.
Conclusion
Microblading is a great way to fill in and shape up your eyebrows without needing to do it every day. It’s something you can go to a professional to have done or even learn microblading online if you want to do microblading from home.
The length of time it takes for the pigments to fade will depend on your skin type, skincare, and factors like sun exposure. Microblading on oily skin is possible, but the results won’t last as long as a normal skin type. On average, the length of time it takes for microblading to fade fully is 18 months to three years.
