Microblading used to be advertised as a semi-permanent procedure, which suggests it would last only for a couple of months or years. It sounded great and people were relieved and more willing to commit to something that would not stay on their face forever.
But nowadays, microblading is referred to as a brow tattoo, or a form of permanent makeup, which came across as confusing. So the clients were puzzled – is microblading really going to fade or will it stay there forever?
So, let’s discuss how long does it take for microblading to fade and see some examples of old microblading.
So, Will My Microblading Fade?
Yes, microblading fades. But it’s questionable whether it will completely disappear.
It’s called a brow tattoo because it’s done in the same layer of the skin as a traditional tattoo – in the dermis. It’s called permanent because the pigment stays in the body forever. But it’s not visible forever.
Microblading loses its intensity as it gets old. While some microblading completely fades within 2 years, some people will notice visible pigment residues after 5 years.
Image source: Instagram @semi_permanent_makeup_london
How Long Does It Take for Microblading to Fade on Average?
On average, microblading is supposed to fade completely within 2 years. However, its longevity depends on different factors, and it can fade sooner or after a lot of time. Here are the factor that will affect how long does it take for microblading to fade:
The artist’s technique
If your microblading artist is experienced and does everything properly with quality pigments and tools, your microblading will look great for at least a year.
After that, it will start fading but you can still fill in the gaps with brow makeup, until you decide to refresh your brow tattoo. Or to just let it disappear and go back to your old brows.
But if the microblading artist tattoos too deep (which can happen if they are not experienced enough), the tattoo is likely to stay visible much longer.
But that’s not the only side effect. If the microblading is too deep, it may even end up looking unattractive since the strokes will blur and the pigment may change color.
Aftercare routine
Microblading aftercare is important to follow for about 2 weeks after the treatment.
If you neglect it, your microblading may not survive the healing period. So, yes, it’ll fade after a month! But if you do, and everything on the artist side was done properly, your microblading will last much longer – even up to 2 years.
Learn all about microblading aftercare in this guide.
Your skin type
If your skin is a little bit oilier and produces much sebum, it will naturally cause your microblading to fade faster.
People with very oily skin don’t make the best candidates for microblading, so it’s usually recommended they go for machine brows – powder eyebrows or, if they want hair strokes, nano brows.
Your lifestyle
If you spend a lot of time in the sun, or in water, or work out a lot i.e. sweat a lot, it will make your microblading fade faster, just like any other tattoo.
So, you can expect your microblading to be pretty faded after a year, but it depends on factors mentioned above whether it’ll be completely gone or not.
Your skincare routine
It’s important to adjust your skincare routine during the healing period because if the products you use contain exfoliants, it can cause your microblading to fade faster.
Once your microblading is completely healed after touch up, you can go back to your normal skincare routine.
It is also said that retinol and vitamin c will speed up the microblading process, but this is not always true. The effect they have on microblading is neglectable compared to the benefits they bring to your skin.
And you can always avoid the eyebrows area if you are afraid it will fade your microblading.
Image source: Instagram @__lifewithharley__
What If Microblading Doesn’t Fade After 2 Years?
If you don’t want to get a color boost because you don’t want your brows microbladed again for some reason, but the color is still visible, you can cover it up with makeup until it fades completely.
But if the pigment is persistent even if too much time has passed, and you really want it gone, removal is the only option. The most effective methods to get rid of unwanted microblading are saline and laser removal.
These procedures can do a lot in one session, but it can also be possible that a couple of sessions are required to get your old brows back. It depends on the state of your eyebrow tattoo i.e. how much pigment is still visible.
Image source: Instagram @yomairaalcala_master
Can I Get New Microblading If the Old One Hasn’t Faded?
It depends on how faded your old microblading is.
If the shadow is barely visible, it can be done. Experienced artists know color theory and how to correct old microblading if the pigment has changed its tone (which happens pretty often). They will do color correction and refresh your microblading.
If the color is pretty visible, the artist needs to assess whether it can be color-corrected or removal is required.
A lot of people will be recommended to get powder or, even better, combo brows over old microblading. Combo brows have the best of both worlds – hair strokes and some shading to cover up the old tattoo.
If microblading is too saturated, the artist may recommend you do a removal first. Then, after your eyebrows are fully recovered from the removal sessions, a new tattoo can be done.
Image source: Instagram @microbladepensacola
To Sum Up
How long does it take for microblading to fade depends on different factors. On average, it disappears within 2-3 years, but the pigment residues stay in the skin for much longer. Some people may notice it’s completely gone after a year. It’s very individual and depends both on the artist’s technique and the client’s skin and lifestyle.
Cover image source: Freepik
