What Happens to Microblading After 5 Years?

The key difference between a tattoo and a procedure like microblading is that the pigments used are different. Microbladed eyebrows are not the same as tattooed eyebrows.

Tattoos use tattoo ink and the pigmentation is injected much deeper which is why they look the same even after 5 years.

Microblading, microshading, and similar procedures use PMU pigments which are absorbed and broken down by the skin. That is why microblading starts to fade after a significant amount of time has passed.

The time it takes to fade varies according to skin type, skincare routine, and lifestyle factors. Sometimes, the pigmentation takes a long time to fade. It might even last one and a half years or longer.

Microblading pigmentation has faded

Keeping in mind that a touch-up is needed after 1 year, after 5 years, there is a strong likelihood that the microblading pigmentation has faded altogether. On average, microblading lasts around 18-24 months with most customers experiencing significant fading around that period.

In rare cases, the pigmentation can last even 18-24 months without the need of a touch-up but a touch-up is eventually needed, in any case, as PMU pigments break down.

The pigmentation fading means things are going according to plan. This is what is supposed to happen after a successfully executed treatment. It means that your skin did not have any adverse reaction to the pigment.

Although some pigment will always remain in the skin, it should be almost or completely invisible.

If the microblading has indeed faded, there is no problem. You can choose to get fresh semi-permanent eyebrows without any worries. Alternatively, you can keep your natural look if you so choose.

Fading or Removal Procedure

If the shape of the pigmentation has changed or it has morphed into a microshaded look, you can opt for a removal procedure.

The solution that sounds the simplest is just to get rid of the pigmentation altogether. There are three methods of removal: Glycolic acid, laser, or saline removal.

The method of removal depends on what shade the pigmentation has taken.

If the color is a darker color like gray or blue, you can choose any of the three methods.

If the color is reddish or orange, you will need to go with Glycolic acid or saline removal.

Removing the pigmentation is a slow and complicated procedure that can take up to 10 sessions every 6 to 8 weeks, effectively spanning months for the entire process.

Alternatively, you can choose to fade the pigmentation instead, in which case, you will not need to go through the entire removal process. After the pigmentation has faded enough, you can choose to go for another semi-permanent eyebrow procedure to cover up the pigment.

Color Correction

If the microblading pigmentation has discolored but the shape is acceptable, you can opt for another semi-permanent eyebrow procedure to color correct and fill in the missing pigmentation.

If the color is too saturated, it might not be possible to color correct the pigmentation. Make sure your aesthetician has experience in color correcting PMU pigments and consult them about whether such a procedure is possible.

Essentially, the aesthetician goes over the pre-existing pigmentation using a shade of PMU pigment that cancels out the unwanted color, resulting in a neutral tone pigmentation that is close to a natural color that looks right.

As the PMA is only color correcting, you might not get the stroked look of microblading but rather color corrected eyebrows akin to microshading or powder brows.

Touch-up

If you do not have discoloration and if the shape of the brows is acceptable, you can go for a touch-up to cover the old faded pigment.

If the pigment has faded significantly, the PMA can use microblading or similar techniques to cover the old pigment with new strokes.

However, if the pigment is darker, the new strokes will not be distinguishable and will instead give a muddled look. You will need to opt for microshading which combined with the strokes of the old pigment, will give the look of combo brows.

Alternatively, you can also opt for manual shading which is a technique in which shading is added to microbladed eyebrows. This will allow the strokes to be distinguishable and will fix the shades of the old pigment.