Permanent makeup procedures have their share of nuances, leaving us to grapple with one ambiguity after another. At least, that is what it looks like on the surface.
Surprisingly, these procedures and their aftercare routines are a lot simpler to understand and a bit of research can go a long way toward answering all your questions.
Out of all the permanent makeup procedures available, microblading is one of the most popular and ensures gorgeous lasting brows that make heads turn.
Let’s dive into the when and why of microblading touchups and whether they fit your skin type and lifestyle needs!
What is Microblading?
Microblading is a semi-permanent makeup procedure that is a lot like a tattoo, except instead of a tattoo gun, the artist uses a hand tool that resembles a pen, referred to as a microblade. The tip of this handheld tool houses many tiny needles that inject pigment into the upper layers of the skin.
The procedure typically lasts 10 to 18 months depending on various factors and how well you take care of your brows pre and post-procedure.
Why You Need Microblading Touchups?
To ensure jaw-dropping microblading results, many factors must come together beginning with preparations at least 2 weeks before the first treatment.
These preparations may include changes in lifestyle, skincare routines, and dietary precautions to ensure a smooth and complication-free procedure.
Once the procedure is complete, aftercare is required for 2 to 4 weeks or until your brows have completely healed.
Once a month has passed, you’ll still notice that your brows aren’t in their final form. There might still be some sparse areas, and a lack of dimension and shape, resulting in an incomplete appearance.
Don’t fret, as this is normal!
At this point, you will need to go for a follow-up appointment. This follow-up appointment or touchup allows the permanent makeup artist to look at the imperfections of the brows and fill in the gaps. The artist can now perfect the brows and achieve the final look you desire which is why we call this appointment the microblading perfection session.
After this follow-up appointment, you can go months without having to touch your brows all while enjoying their flawless appearance.
However, you still need to keep an eye out for fading.
It is likely that after a few months, the pigment injected into the upper layers of your brow skin will start to fade. This indicates that it may be time for another touchup to freshen up your brows and help prolong the life of your procedure.
When Should You Schedule a Touchup Appointment?
Now that we know the ‘why’, let’s find out the ‘when’.
Touchups do not follow any strict timeline as they differ from person to person. That’s because pigment reacts differently depending on the skin type and the lifestyle of the person in question.
However, you can delay your touchup sessions by diligently following the aftercare routine suggested by your artist and taking a few added precautions, such as avoiding direct sunlight, and regularly washing your brows with soap.
The best way to determine when you should schedule a touchup appointment is to pay attention to fading.
Microblading pigment does not fade all at once but rather lightens over time. When you notice a gray tinge, a space, or a dullness on your brows, it’s time for a touchup.
Individuals with oily skin will generally have their brows fade faster than those with normal skin and, as such, require more touchups.
Individuals with active lifestyles, which include swimming, exercising, or working outdoors, will also experience faster fading than those who spend most of their time indoors or have desk jobs.
The timing of the pigment fading is not set in stone, but for the most part, individuals usually opt for a touchup every six months to a year.
Those with oily skin or active lifestyles may require even more frequent touchups whereas those with combination skin may enjoy 15 to 18 months of flawless brows with no signs of fading or touchups required!
What to Expect During a Touch-up Session?
Touchup sessions are a lot quicker and simpler than the initial procedure. You won’t have to sit through lengthy consultations, measurements, markings, etc that you had to go through during your initial appointment.
During this appointment, your aesthetician will only fill in the sparse areas if the brows have gaps. If they notice dullness, unevenness, asymmetries, or patchiness, they’ll add more strokes and inject new pigment to give brows a full and natural look.
An added advantage of the touchup session is that you can ask your makeup artist to modify the shape of your brows if you wish. This way you can change up your brow style to suit your changing taste and personality.
What Is the Downtime Following a Touchup Session?
The downtime for a touchup session is a lot lower than the initial session but you will still experience redness, swelling, healing, scabbing, experience redness, swelling, healing, scabbing, etc. However, this will heal a lot faster than before.
It may only take 7 to 10 days for your brows to completely heal after a touchup session which is a small price to pay for perfect brows that require no makeup or regular threading.
How Long Will the Touchup Results Last?
Ideally, you can enjoy the results for up to 10 to 18 months before booking your next appointment. However, the same factors that prompted you to book a touch-up in the first place—namely, lifestyle and skin type—still matter.
Refresh Your Looks with a Microblading Touch-Up Today!
Residents and visitors to Austin, TX, can head over to LUXE Brow + Lash for touchup sessions that refresh looks and give brows the boost they need.
At LUXE Brow + Lash, our dedicated artists love the revolutionary nature of microblading and use it to help our clients achieve the looks they desire.
So, to maintain your brows for lasting results, book your microblading touchup appointment today!
