Guide to microblading touch ups
As semi-permanent cosmetic tattoos, microbladed brows require some touch ups to keep them looking as snazzy as when you left your artist’s studio. And while aftercare and healing involves some flaking, aftercare should also include more microblading. Microbladed brow touch ups, usually a few weeks after your first session, are an essential part of creating flawless brows.
What are microblading touch ups?
Sometimes called the “perfecting session,” microblading touch ups are follow-up services intended to build up and enhance the results of your initial microblading. While the initial microblading session sets the foundation of your brow design, touch ups serve to perfect and refine the shape, colour and overall look. These sessions are crucial for ensuring your brows feel complete and fresh.
Imperfections are expected after the initial session, but cosmetic tattoo artists can’t always predict exactly how the top layers of your skin will heal with these tiny strokes of pigment. Depending on the diligence and quality of your microblading aftercare, your skin type, immune responses and various other factors, your brows may have gaps, patches or lightened areas that need going-over. It’s like adjusting salt and pepper to taste for a meal, with touch ups acting as essential seasoning for inked-in brows.
How do touch-up microblading services differ?
Microblading is precise and meticulous work. Following the initial healing period, your microblading artist will have a better understanding of how your skin handles and retains pigment. They’ll refine, perfect and personalize their technique according to your skin’s unique healing process.
The time between the initial service and the touch up also serves as a kind of get-to-know period between you and your new brows. Don’t obsess too hard (that’s our job), but note what you do or don’t like about your initial cosmetic tattoo, and talk to your artist so they can make subtle changes to the design if needed during the touch up.
When should you get microblading touch ups?
When we say touch up, we mean plural. Those beautiful brows might need a few sessions to keep them feathery and long-lasting.
Second session touch up
Since each person’s healing looks a little different, so too will their touch up. Some brows need a little more involved pampering to correct irregularities, sparseness or whatever else might need fixing, while others only need minimal strokes to perfect the design. In general, expect touch ups to take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours.
Your first touch up should usually be between 4 and 8 weeks after the initial microblading session. During this service, your artist will:
Assess your skin’s healing and pigment retention.
Fill in patchiness.
Deepen or adjust the colour.
Refine the overall shape and fullness.
Your brows will go through changes before the first and touch up microblading session — initially, they’ll look pretty intense and bold as a lot of pigment accumulates on the surface of the skin. As you heal, the pigment flakes off and leaves behind a much softer version of your brows behind.
This process is a bit different for everyone, but some people experience a “ghosting phase” where it might look like your microblading has completely disappeared. Over a few weeks, it’ll resurface and show a much clearer result.
It can be distressing to see either too much or too little pigment, but it’s important to wait out these healing stages so your artist can see exactly how much pigment you’ve retained before assessing your touch up needs. If you’re unsure, your artist can also recommend exactly when you should book a touch up.
Annual touch ups
You can enjoy your dream brows for years with a little upkeep. Generally recommended every 1 to 2 years or when your brows fade by about 50%, these subsequent touch up services ensure your brows maintain their shape and colour.
The service itself depends on what your brows look like by that point. Your brows will almost always need some colour adjustment or deepening to offset inevitable fading, dullness and ashiness. Depending on your brows, touch ups may also include fresh hair strokes, colour build up, and colour correction.
Your artist should operate with a less is more mentality. In other words, don’t get touch ups too often or heavily. Your brows need to fade a little to get enough contrast and negative space for strokes to actually show up.
Aftercare for microblading touch ups
Just as with your initial session, proper aftercare is crucial for the longevity and appearance of your microbladed brows. Follow the same steps as after your first appointment:
Day 1: Gently lather mild soap or cleanser with clean fingers, and go over your brows. Rinse and pat dry with a clean towel, following up with your post-tattoo ointment. Keep them dry and sweat-free.
Day 2-3: Applying ointment 2x per day with clean q-tips or fingers. Don’t use sunscreen and minimize your time in the sun — and wear a hat! Dry and sweat-free alllll day.
Day 4-10: You’re free from washing and ointment. Embrace the flake — your brows should dry and sluff off surface pigment. Resist the urge to pick, and keep up with the dryness and no sweating stuff.
Microblading touch up FAQs
Are microblading touch ups painful?
Microblading touch ups shouldn’t be painful, but it’ll be a similar sensation as your initial appointment. Your artist will use numbing cream to minimize any discomfort during your microblading touch up. They may be slightly tender by the end.
How should I prepare for a microblading touch up?
Prepare for your touch up by following any pre-care instructions provided by your artist. This may involve avoiding certain medications, alcohol and other activities that could thin your blood or affect the outcome of the procedure.
