Microblading Healing Process: What To Expect After The Procedure

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HealthlineSubscribeSkin CareWhat Does the Microblading Healing Process Look and Feel Like?

Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D. — Written by Kirsten Nunez on June 10, 2020

How long healing takes
Microblading healing stages
Healing after touch-up
Summary

The microblading healing process typically takes about 30 days. You may have redness, tenderness, mild swelling, and skin flaking after your procedure, but this should go away in a couple of weeks.

Microblading is a form of cosmetic tattooing that fills in your eyebrows. It’s meant to make your eyebrows look fuller and thicker. The procedure is also known as:

3-D eyebrow embroidery
microstroking
semi-permanent makeup

During a microblading session, a technician uses a special tool to make tiny cuts in the skin. The tool consists of multiple needles connected to a handle. The technician inserts pigment into the cuts, creating the appearance of eyebrow hairs. The color of the pigment used will depend on your preference.

If you want your eyebrows to look feathery and full, microblading is an option. It’s a semipermanent alternative to applying makeup, like brow gel, on your eyebrows. You might also want to try microblading if you have lost eyebrow hairs, a condition known as madarosis. This can happen due to many reasons, such as:

overplucking
alopecia areata
vitiligo
chemotherapy
hypothyroidism
hyperthyroidism
psoriasis
skin infections
trauma or injury
trichotillomania

Since microblading involves tiny cuts in the skin, it’s important to understand how the healing process works. Read on to learn what you can usually expect after getting the procedure.

microblading healing, Microblading, eyebrows, healing, after — Top: Before microblading. Bottom: Immediately after microblading. Images by Vivianefersoares / CC BY-SA

Eyebrow microblading healing

The microblading healing process generally takes 25 to 30 days. It starts right after your procedure.

However, how fast your skin heals will be slightly different for each person. It depends on many factors, including your:

age
overall health
skin type

In general, during the first 10 to 14 days, your eyebrows will vary in appearance. The color, definition, and texture will change almost every day.

You’ll also experience different sensations in your skin. At first, your face will feel tender, tight, and painful. This will turn into itchiness and flaking, which eventually subsides.

The results of microblading typically last 18 to 30 months. You’ll also need touch-ups every 12 to 18 months, depending on the look you want. Each touch-up session involves some healing time as well.

Microblading healing day by day

If it’s your first time microblading your eyebrows, be sure to speak with your provider about any questions or concerns that you may have. They can explain what will happen as your skin heals, along with tips for microblading aftercare.

Typically, here’s what you can expect after the procedure:

Days 1 to 3: Eyebrows look fuller, though your face may feel cut and tender

On the first day, your eyebrows will look very bold and full. The color may look extremely dark, but keep in mind that it’ll eventually fade.

You’ll likely experience:

redness
tenderness
mild swelling
mild bleeding
sensation of feeling cut or bruised

By days 2 and 3, these side effects should slowly subside.

Days 3 to 5: Eyebrows look very dark, then start to flake off

As the pain and tenderness go away, your brows will darken and thicken. They’ll still look very bold.

By day 5, your brows will begin to scab. They will be flaky and extremely itchy. This is normal and means your skin is healing.

Days 5 to 8: Flaking continues and the color fades

You can expect more scabbing, flaking, and peeling.

Resist the temptation to pick the scabs, which can reopen the wounds and disrupt the healing process. It might also remove some pigment, resulting in patchy brows. Let the scabs flake off naturally instead.

As your brows continue to flake, the dark color will soften. But rest assured that the color will come back.

Days 8 to 12: Flaking ends and color returns

After the first week, the flaking will gradually stop. The color will also return.

Days 12 to 21: Color and texture look more natural

The color of your eyebrows should look more even and natural. The individual brow hairs will also look more defined, creating the appearance of feathery eyebrows.

Days 21 to 30: Skin is healed

After 1 month, your skin will be completely healed. You shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort. Your eyebrows should also look soft and full.

In another month or two, you’ll likely have a follow-up appointment with your provider. This allows them to check on how your skin has healed, as well as fix any spots.

Microblading healing after a touch-up

It’s normal for permanent makeup to fade over time. Therefore, after your initial microblading session, you’ll need regular touch-ups. This will maintain the shape, color, and definition of your brows.

Generally, it’s recommended to get a touch-up every 12 to 18 months. But the best frequency depends on your preferred look.

It also depends on how your skin holds on to the pigment. For some people, the pigment may fade quickly, requiring more frequent touch-ups.

Compared to your first session, a touch-up is essentially the same procedure but on a smaller scale. It’s done on a few areas rather than the whole brow. You can expect a similar healing process, though some people report shorter healing times after touch-ups. Everyone is different.

Takeaway

After your initial microblading session, your skin should heal in 25 to 30 days. It’ll likely feel tender and painful at first, but this will go away over time. Your brows will also darken and lighten before revealing their final color.

It’s normal for your skin to flake and peel as healing takes place. Avoid picking at your skin, which could reopen the tiny cuts and prolong the healing process. If you have any concerns, reach out to your provider.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Davies T. (2018). Microblading healing day by day.https://tinadavies.com/blogs/news/the-real-experience-microblading-healing-day-by-day
Davies T. (2018). Microblading prepare & aftercare.https://tinadavies.com/blogs/news/microblading-prepare-aftercare
Eyebrows. (n.d.).https://www.spcp.org/thinking-of-getting-a-cosmetic-tattoo/eyebrows/
Fact sheet: Microblading. (2016).https://www.spcp.org/pdfs/SPCP_Fact_Sheet_Microblading.pdf
Microblading is tattooing. (2018).http://www.kansas.gov/kboc/Newsletters/201804NL.pdf
Tattoo & permanent makeup: Fact sheet. (2019).https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/tattoos-permanent-makeup-fact-sheet
Thomas S, et al. (2016). Madarosis.https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/madarosis/
What should I expect? (n.d.).https://www.spcp.org/thinking-of-getting-a-cosmetic-tattoo/permanent-makeup-faq/what-should-i-expect/

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Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D. — Written by Kirsten Nunez on June 10, 2020

Tag » How Long Does Microblading Take

Microblading Healing Process: What To Expect After The Procedure

Eyebrow microblading healing

Microblading healing day by day

Days 1 to 3: Eyebrows look fuller, though your face may feel cut and tender

Days 3 to 5: Eyebrows look very dark, then start to flake off

Days 5 to 8: Flaking continues and the color fades

Days 8 to 12: Flaking ends and color returns

Days 12 to 21: Color and texture look more natural

Days 21 to 30: Skin is healed

Microblading healing after a touch-up

Takeaway

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