Microblading is a semi-permanent eyebrow tattooing technique that creates the illusion of fuller, more evenly shaped brows.
A doctor or cosmetic tattoo artist maps out your new brows, and then uses a handheld tool with tiny needles to embed pigment in the epidermis (the top layer of skin) of your natural eyebrows in hair-like strokes, shaping the brows to your desired look.Â
Because the process is so meticulous, one session can take up to two hours. You’ll need touch-up appointments every one to two years to maintain the look, as the color fades over time.Â
This seems like a simple procedure, but microblading gone wrong can be hard to hide. Find an experienced provider with rave reviews—someone who knows how to choose the pigment for your cosmetic tattoo that complements your skin tone and can enhance your natural brow shape.
RealSelf Tip: Nanoblading is the latest spin on microblading. Proponents insist that it’s a gentler, more precise procedure involving smaller needles, but in reality, there’s little difference between microblading and nanoblading: the term is mostly marketing.
Pros
Cons
RealSelf Tip: If you get Botox or chemical peels, you’ll need to wait at least two weeks after those procedures before having microblading.
Microblading is almost always considered a cosmetic treatment, so you’ll probably pay out of pocket.Â
However, if you need to augment your brows because of an injury or medical condition, you may be able to get your insurance company to pay for some or all of it. Check with your insurer beforehand.
The microblading photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
Some U.S. states consider this to be a tattoo procedure, so providers need a special license—the same type of license a permanent-makeup provider has. Other states consider it a medical treatment, so a doctor, nurse, or other health-care provider does the procedure in a clinical setting. Check your state's regulations.
Microblading can take up to two hours. Your provider will start by applying a topical numbing cream to your brows to make the procedure less painful.
After cleaning off the cream, some providers measure your face and brows, a process called brow mapping, and then use removable ink to draw an eyebrow shape that’s tailored to your facial features. This gives them an outline to fill in your brow hairs with the pigment, preventing uneven results.
Using a handheld tool with tiny needles that scratch the skin’s surface, your provider will draw your new brow outlines and then fill them in with light, hairlike strokes to mimic the growth pattern of natural hairs. They’ll continue applying numbing cream along the way. Any bleeding should be minimal.Â
Once all the strokes are done, they’ll spread medical-grade ink across your eyebrows and let it settle in for about five minutes before wiping it off. Most providers do this twice before a final cleanup.Â
During the process, they’ll also tend to any strays.
Four to eight weeks later (depending on your provider’s preference), you’ll go back for your touch-up appointment. Your provider will fill in any gaps where the pigment didn’t take, refine your shape, and make any adjustments.
RealSelf Tip: Ink can be organic or inorganic. Organic ink is made from fruits and vegetables (also called lake pigments). These are oil-dispersible, meaning they blend more naturally, have a rich color, and work well with your specific skin tone. The downside? Sunlight and chemicals can dull organic pigments.
Inorganic ink consists mainly of iron oxide. It is often associated with other metal-containing acids (like lead, arsenic, and mercury), and generally contains preservatives, perfumes, and additives. These ingredients increase the risk of allergic reaction, and are less intense in color.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Better Brows—From Tints to Tattoos
Your provider should give you detailed aftercare instructions, but generally speaking, here’s what you should expect.
You’ll see your new brows’ shape, placement, and arch right away, but it takes four to six weeks for the color to fade, so you can see the final result.
Your brows may seem way too dark when you first walk out of your provider’s office (check out these microblading before and after photos for comparison). Just be patient. The color should lighten up by about 60% within the first couple of weeks, and it will continue to fade.
Related: 5 Things You Can Do If You Hate Your Microblading Results
The color begins to fade noticeably after 18 to 24 months; you may hear this phenomenon referred to as “microblading shrinking.” After that, you’ll need to have another procedure done to maintain your results.Â
Using retinol on your forehead can accelerate fading, so avoid it if you want to prolong your results.
“The pigment will completely fade over time, usually in two to three years, depending on your sun exposure, products used, and facial treatments,” explains Dr. Tonya Boudreaux, clinical director of a medical spa in Southern California.
You may be able to accelerate the fading process by using retinol or acid-based products. Be sure to talk to your provider before applying any products to your microbladed brows. They may recommend one of these options:
The risks of this cosmetic procedure include both aesthetic and medical concerns.
Pregnant women should typically wait until after birth to have microblading. Pregnancy and diabetes can increase bleeding, which dilutes the pigment, causing less to be absorbed. This increases the chance you’ll need the procedure again, or that you’ll have less-than-ideal results.
Microblading is contraindicated for those on Accutane or other forms of isotretinoin and people taking blood thinners, which promote bleeding and bruising.
Related: Pro Tips for Avoiding a Botched Microblading Procedure
There are a lot of options for defining the arch, color, and shape of your eyebrows. Some of these can be done at your favorite facial spa; others need to be done by medical professionals.Â
Related: 3 treatments for better eyebrows: Microblading, microshading, microfeathering
Acker, Alicia Ford. “State Regulations.” American Academy of Micropigmentation.
“Fact Sheet: Microblading.” Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals, Feb. 2016.
“Tattoos & Permanent Makeup: Fact Sheet.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, 31 Oct. 2019.
“Tattoos and Permanent Makeup.” Cosmetic Facts, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, June 2015.
Updated December 21, 2023