For those seeking fuller, darker brows, there’s arguably no option more effective than microblading. The semipermanent technique—during which pigment is tattooed into the skin, to resemble brow hairs—yields results that can last up to two years, rendering the need for brow pencils, powders, and pomades obsolete. RealSelf members give it an 80% Worth It Rating, and devotees swear that it’s a total game changer. But what happens when you don’t love your microblading results? Well, it’s not quite as simple as reaching for some makeup remover.
The most important thing to keep in mind: reversing your microblading result is absolutely not a DIY project. While the internet is rife with at-home suggestions (involving everything from whitening toothpaste to lemon juice), all the experts we spoke with advised strongly against taking matters into your own hands. “Don’t rely on TikTok solutions,” cautions Dr. Craig Ziering, a board-certified dermatologist and hair restoration surgeon in Beverly Hills, California. Microblading revisions are possible, but there’s always a risk of problems such as pigment migration, follicle or epidermis damage, or even scarring, he says; at-home fixes only up the likelihood of these complications.
The good news is, so long as you get a pro involved, there are ways to undo (or alter) your microblading results.
5 microblading-removal options
1. A touch-up or correction
Often, a touch-up appointment is all it takes to fix unsatisfactory microblading results, says Dr. Ziering, particularly if the color is too light or the shape is just not quite right. The caveat: “Wait at least a month before doing so in order to give the brow area enough time to heal,” he says. A color correction is the best way to tweak the color if it starts to fade unevenly.
“One of the most common complaints we hear is that the brows have faded to an undesirable shade, typically a cool blue tone,” notes Shaughnessy Otsuji, a tattoo artist at Studio Sashiko in Langley, British Columbia. “A color correction is a fairly easy fix where an orange-based color neutralizes that unwanted tone pretty much instantly,” she explains. However, in either scenario, this may be a good time to try a different microblading technician. “If you’re unhappy with the results from the first go-around, don’t go back to that same person for a touch-up or correction,” suggests Piret Aava, a microblading and eyebrow specialist in New York City.
2. Laser removal
The experts we spoke with unanimously recommend laser removal as the best, most effective option for undoing microblading results. While microblading differs from traditional tattooing based on how deeply the pigment is placed into the skin (it’s why the former yields only semipermanent results), the concept is the same here as it is for laser tattoo removal. “The laser penetrates the skin [and] breaks up the pigment, and the body ends up absorbing it,” explains Dr. Ziering.
The pros: it works extremely well and can remove the color entirely. The con: it’s not a quick fix. You’ll need anywhere from one to three sessions, spaced about three months apart, notes Otsuji. Plus since there is pigment in the hair follicle, laser removal also comes with the potential to damage the actual eyebrow hairs, says Dr. Ziering.
And if you decide you want to try microblading again after the fact, make sure to wait at least six weeks after your last laser session before doing so, adds Aava.
3. Saline removal
Professional saline tattoo removal is another common way to help lighten pigment. (Though again, the experts caution not to conflate this with at-home saline removal tricks.) “A solution of salt and purified water is tattooed over the unwanted pigment and works through the science of osmosis,” Dr. Ziering explains. The saline solution draws the pigment to the surface of the skin, where it then scabs and eventually falls off, adds Otsuji. It won’t affect hair growth and works equally well on old and new pigment, but this isn’t a one-and-done deal. According to Otsuji, full removal typically requires five to eight sessions, spaced eight weeks apart, with scabbing (and potential scarring and skin damage) occurring after each. As such, she recommends this only for minor touch-ups, i.e., if you’re slightly unhappy with the shape of your new brows, and not for those who want to completely undo their microblading results.
4. Glycolic acid removal
Similar to the above, this involves tattooing a glycolic acid solution into the brows. It draws out the pigment while also exfoliating the skin, to ultimately fade the tattooed area, says Dr. Ziering. There’s also scabbing involved—though he notes, anecdotally, less than is associated with saline removal)—multiple treatments are required, and there’s a risk of scarring and infection. That being said, it can effectively remove all shades of pigment.
5. At-home skin-care products
While our experts advised steering clear of DIY removal methods, the one thing that is okay to do at home is to intentionally apply your skin-care products onto your brows. “Regular use of retinol and other exfoliating ingredients will make your microblading results fade faster,” says Aava. (However, she notes that you should start doing this only after your brows have fully healed, about a month post-procedure.) We normally suggest avoiding things such as retinoids and exfoliating acids, but if you’re trying to get the color to lighten up, this is something worth trying, adds Otsuji. That being said, it will yield the least dramatic changes—and they can take upwards of a year to kick in.
The bottom line
At-home hacks floating around the internet aside, there are ways that you can undo your microblading results. Just be prepared to seek professional help and be aware that it may take some time. But if all else fails, take heart in knowing that microblading results aren’t permanent—in an absolute worst-case scenario, your brows should be back to normal within 18 to 24 months.
