Is Microblading Permanent? No & Here’s How Long it Lasts
Before we jump into why, we’ll cut right to the chase… Microblading is NOT permanent.
Rather, microblading is a semi-permanent makeup procedure whereby hair like incision strokes are created along the eyebrow to enhance, reshape, fill (cover gaps of lost hair), extend the eyebrows, or fully reconstruct brows with little to no hair. Unlike traditional eyebrow tattooing, the microblading technique creates soft, natural-looking brows.
Microblading is perfect if you have sparse areas or overly plucked eyebrows that you want to appear fuller, and the result is a semi-permanent solution to ‘I woke up like this’ brows.
If you’re tired of filling in your brows every day, but you want the freedom to be able to change your look every few years, this procedure might be the perfect investment. And there’s an added bonus: After getting your eyebrows Microbladed, you may find yourself putting your makeup brushes down. Clients with fierce Microbladed eyebrows often don’t feel the need to wear much additional makeup. When your brows are groomed and perfected, you just have a more awake, polished look!
The procedure entails the use of a nanoblade and/or a super-fine pen (technically, a bundle of 12 to 15 needles), which is dipped into a solution that is mixed using a natural selection of micropigments that has been matched to the client’s hair color and skin tone and is then glided along a sketched outline of the desired brow pattern that has been designed and scrutinized beforehand. The tip of the nanoblade and super-fine pen are so fine, that they create ‘hair strokes’ that mimic your own brow hairs. Each microblading stroke is applied individually, allowing the artist to control the shape, color, and density of the completed eyebrows. Whilst only penetrating up to 1mm into the skin, the pigment is deposited simultaneously with the creation of the hair like stroke creating a feathered outline which will be filled in further in the same manner and according to the approved brow pattern. The artist may also use a shading technique that involves “plucking” the skin to deposit the ink manually.
When the pigment is implanted under the skin, it looks more realistic than traditionally applied makeup.
How long does Microblading last?
It may be “permanent makeup” but it doesn’t last forever, and the color will fade over time. While microblading can last up to two years, this varies depending on factors such as skin type, lifestyle, sun exposure, brow color, chemical peels coming into contact with the area, iron deficiency, salt water exposure and smoking will affect how fast the pigment breaks down.
Pigment is deposited into the dermis (not into the epidermis as so many techs are claiming) so as to make the pigment last. Were it placed in the epidermis it would slough off within 30-90 days, depending on age, as the epidermis continuously renews itself). The tattoo, as is the case with all other tattoos, can and will fade depending on multiple factors (brow color – darker colors last longer and require less maintenance while lighter colors require more frequent touch-ups, quality of pigment/ink used, UV exposure, use of acids in skincare products, medications) but without intervention will never disappear completely. <b>Tattooing is permanent, whether it is on the body or face. It is crucial to do your research on the experience and education level of the artist before having any work done.
Typically, people are advised to touch-up the color and shape every six months, but on average most clients come in for their Microblading Touch-Up / Color Boost Services at 10 to 12 months post-treatment.
We always recommend staying ahead of the fading curve, meaning coming in right before brows start to fade. Because everyone reacts differently to microblading, the first session is more of a test to give the artist insight about how your brows respond and what tweaks need to be made next time.
What is the difference between an Eyebrow Tattoo and Microblading?
An eyebrow tattoo is a more permanent procedure, which uses a machine to deposit pigment deep into the skin. Microblading involves using a hand tool with tiny needles to create shallower cuts on the skin, and then allows pigment to seep in. Microblading lasts only 1-2 years depending on your skin’s pigment retention — and for someone who’s a bit squeamish about making a permanent change or wants the freedom to be able to change their look every few years, that just may be the ideal amount of commitment! Furthermore, eyebrow tattooing is very painful by comparison, and typically quite a bit more expensive. Permanent eyebrow tattoo also tends to produce a thick, unnatural solid line, whereas Microblading allows for much more control resulting in more precise, crisp, hairlike strokes.
Extending the life of your Microbladed
In addition sun exposure, chemical peels coming into contact with the area, iron deficiency, salt water exposure and smoking will all affect how fast the pigment breaks down.
In addition the skill or your artist also plays a role:
If your artist doesn’t go “deep” enough into the skin then your brows will naturally fade faster as the body pushes the pigment out of the skin.
If the pigment is placed in the epidermal area (superficial) then your body will probably kick out all of the pigment over the course of 60 days or so through the natural life cycle of your skin!
If you want your results to last as long as possible you need to pick the right artist and to follow the after-care instructions from your artist as close as possible! This will help your results last long and stay beautiful.
Microblading Before & After Photos
If you decide to look into getting your brows microbladed you will want to look closely at the before and after pictures of each artist!
Make sure that you find examples of brows done immediately after the initial appointment but also brows done after the touch-up so you can compare.
You also want to make sure that you see a finished result.
You can see some before and after pictures below to help you get an idea of this:
A Word Of Caution
Good microblading work isn’t cheap, and cheap microblading work isn’t good.
One of the worst things you can do is go to an inexperienced microblader! You’ve probably seen a few horror stories floating around the web—such as this one about a woman who was left with four eyebrows after her procedure.
This is your face we are talking about and they are putting a sharp blade and pigment into your skin.
Many women have had poor results by going to inexperienced microbladers in the hopes of saving a little money, only to find themselves in a situation where they want to fade their brows as quickly as possible before finding an experienced professional to correct the work.
If you fall into that category you can read more about fading your brows after a microblading gone bad.
