Microblading is like a fine wine meant to age gracefully. Just as a wine’s flavor mellows and becomes richer over time, brows also soften as the pigment naturally fades.
Fading in microblading isn’t a flaw but rather a natural process. The real concern arises when fading happens too quickly or when the brows start to change colors. Thankfully, with regular touch-ups and customized solutions, you can put these worries to rest.
Here’s everything you need to know about microblading and its fading process.
What is Microblading?
Microblading is a revolutionary treatment that has put all brow woes behind us. Whether you have sparse, over-plucked, or uneven eyebrows for any reason, microblading offers a solution. It is a semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing technique designed to enhance the appearance of eyebrows. Microblading involves using a specialized tool with fine blades to deposit pigments into the upper layers of the skin, creating the illusion of natural hair strokes.
Understanding the Fading Process
Microblading is sometimes called a semi-permanent procedure and sometimes a permanent procedure. The truth of the matter is that it is a bit of both. Unlike traditional tattoos, microblading results do not last as long; however, like traditional tattoos, they never entirely fade. The pigment from microblading gradually lightens over time due to several factors:
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Skin Type
Those with oily skin may experience faster pigment fading as excess oil breaks down pigment more quickly.
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Sun Exposure
Ultraviolet rays can significantly impact pigment longevity, causing it to break down and lighten over time. For best results, experts recommend minimizing direct sun exposure, especially right after the procedure.
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Aftercare Practices
Following the recommended aftercare routine after the initial procedure is critical. This includes keeping the area clean, dry, and moisturized, which helps retain pigment and promotes proper healing.
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Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle choices like frequent swimming in chlorinated pools, excessive sweating, and daily makeup can expedite fading due to prolonged exposure to chemicals and moisture.
Causes of Color Changes
Many people panic when they see their brows turning an entirely different shade. Although it is not ideal or common, it is a fixable situation. First, you must understand what causes color changes so you can avoid them.
When microblading changes color, it often results in undertones of blue, green, or even orange within the brows. Here’s why it can happen:
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Pigment Composition
If an artist is offering their services for cheap, it’s a big red flag. They are likely cutting costs by using pigments of subpar quality. Lower-quality pigments or inks tend to break down unevenly, creating unnatural colors as they fade. Modern and high-quality microblading pigments are typically designed to maintain stability over time, reducing such color shifts.
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Skilled Technician
An experienced microblading artist will choose pigments based on the client’s skin undertone and take measures to avoid unwanted color changes. Finding a technician who understands the science of pigments cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in how your brows will age over time.
Solutions for Color Changes
It might be bothersome and an added cost, but there are corrective measures that can undo the damage. When colors shift, options like color correction become available. This corrective process involves applying a different pigment to neutralize the unwanted tones. In cases of drastic color change, pigment removal may be necessary before starting fresh.
Techniques and Advances to Slow Down Fading
The pigments will fade; there’s no denying that. However, our job is to ensure they don’t fade before their time and that we get our money’s worth. The field of permanent makeup has seen various advancements aimed at extending the life of microblading.
New pigments have been developed to resist fading longer and maintain color integrity, while improvements in technique allow for more refined, hair-like strokes that blend seamlessly with natural brows. Additionally, trusting artists who use high-quality equipment and pigments, adhere to updated safety standards, and recommend touch-up sessions every 12 to 18 months can significantly enhance the durability of your brows.
Touch-ups and Maintenance
Touch-ups and maintenance are the strongest weapons against fading and color change. Most microblading procedures require a follow-up touch-up within 6 to 8 weeks of the initial treatment. This session fills in any areas that may have healed unevenly or lost pigment during the healing process. After the initial touch-up, maintenance becomes less frequent, with touch-ups typically needed every 1 to 2 years, depending on individual skin types and lifestyle.
Keeping the brows in shape with timely touch-ups ensures consistent color and shape while also immediately addressing any slight color changes that may occur. Another trick to slow down the fading process is to follow a balanced skincare routine and use minimal products directly on the brows.
When Fading or Color Change Becomes Problematic
If you’re considering microblading, you must do your due diligence. Choosing the right artist and following their instructions means you’re less likely to experience problematic color change or fading.
Regardless, you should learn the signs of problematic fading or color changes so you can make timely decisions.
Causes
If your brows start fading or go through a dramatic color change within a year of getting the treatment, it’s a cause for concern. Microblading is supposed to last for years. If it’s fading too rapidly, possible causes may include skin type mismatches, improper aftercare, and inconsistent pigment application.
Solutions
If you have oily skin, you may require additional sessions or specialized pigments. For others, switching to an artist with experience in advanced fading and color correction techniques can help restore brows to their desired appearance.
If pigment fades too quickly or changes to an undesirable shade, the solution can include options like professional color correction (helps add a complementary pigment to neutralize color) and pigment lightening (uses specialized techniques to remove unwanted color from the skin). These procedures are conducted by an experienced PMU artist.
Partner with Luxe Brow and Lash and Transform Your Brow Game with Lasting Results
We all dream of waking up with perfect lashes and beautifully shaped brows. The good news is that we can now make these dreams a reality with microblading and lash lifts.
At Luxe Brow and Lash in Austin, TX, our skilled artists understand the nuances of these techniques and provide tailored treatments that enhance your natural beauty.
With a focus on precision and artistry, we ensure your brows and lashes evolve gracefully, perfectly complementing your style. If you want those dream brows to become a reality, give us a call today!
