Introduction
Today I’m going to share what really determines how long microblading lasts, and what happens when it doesn’t fade the way you hoped.
There’s not much I don’t know about the pigments used for microblading and permanent makeup, from fresh colour blends to correction tones and, when needed, the gentle fade-out stage before a new brow refresh. If your brows have held on too long, turned dull grey, or lost their shape definition, Botched Ink® saline removal can lift out old pigment safely, giving you fresh skin and freedom to start again.
Thanks for being here!
Lisa 🧡
TL;DR
Microblading is often described as semi-permanent, but results can last anywhere from one year to several, sometimes even longer. Factors like pigment type, depth, skin condition, and aftercare all play a role. When brows fade unevenly or turn cool grey, saline removal with Botched Ink® can gently lift pigment to refresh or reset the colour, it’s not just for bad work, it’s for better results next time.
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How Long Does Microblading Last?
Most microblading fades gradually over 12 to 24 months, though results can vary between a year and several years.
If the pigment was implanted deeper, or if carbon-based inks were used, colour can remain visible indefinitely.
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Permanent Makeup Removal: Pigments ➔
While microblading is often called semi-permanent, it is still a form of tattooing. Over time, colour softens and disperses under the skin, becoming lighter or less defined. Some clients see brows fade completely, while others notice only colour shifts, like warm orange or cool grey tones that remain for years.
When pigment lingers too long or changes in tone, that doesn’t mean your artist did bad work, it simply means your skin held the pigment differently. In these cases, saline removal can safely lift the excess, lighten saturated areas, and prepare your brows for a balanced refresh.
What Happens After 5 Years of Microblading?
After five years, most microbladed brows don’t look like they once did, even when the shape was perfect to begin with. Pigment breaks down unevenly over time, softening into a haze under the skin. What were once crisp, hair-like strokes can blur together, leaving a shaded or patchy look.
Colour change is also normal. Warm tones can oxidise into orange or russet, while cool pigments can fade to blue-grey. Skin type and pigment chemistry both play a role here, and after five years, those differences really start to show.
At this point, clients usually face two options: add more pigment or lift out the old. Adding more can mask the issue short term, but it also pushes the pigment deeper, making the colour darker and the texture flatter. Instead, Botched Ink® saline removal can lift out old pigment gently, making room for a fresh new brow or simply softening the colour for a more natural result.
Sometimes, removing just a small amount of pigment, especially the older, cooler undertones, is all it takes to bring the brows back to life. Removal isn’t about starting over, it’s about giving your next set of brows a cleaner canvas.
What Affects How Long Microblading Lasts?
There’s no single answer to how long microblading lasts, because the result depends on what’s beneath the surface, your skin, your pigment, and how the two interact over time.
1. Skin Type
Oily skin tends to fade microblading faster. Natural sebum pushes pigment away from the surface, softening lines and causing blurred strokes. Clients with larger pores often notice more pigment movement too. Dry and normal skin types usually retain colour longer, giving a cleaner fade-out.
2. Pigment Formula
Older iron oxide pigments often fade unpredictably, sometimes staining the skin with lingering warm tones. Pigments containing carbon black or long-lasting organic compounds can remain visible for years, even decades, depending on how deep they were implanted.
Modern pigment blends are more controlled. Some are designed to fade gradually for easier maintenance or correction, while others are deliberately more stable and long-lasting. If you prefer brows that evolve naturally over time, ask your artist to use pigments formulated to fade gracefully.
3. Implant Depth & Technique
If pigment is implanted too deep, it behaves like a traditional tattoo, lasting indefinitely and often turning grey or blue as it oxidises. A skilled artist keeps the pigment in the upper dermis, creating a realistic fade instead of a permanent stain.
4. Aftercare & Lifestyle
Sun exposure, exfoliation, skincare acids, and even sweating all accelerate fading. On the flip side, overdoing touch-ups can oversaturate the skin, leading to scar tissue and stubborn pigment build-up. When that happens, colour correction rarely works, the pigment density must be reduced first through saline removal.
In short: good technique and care can help microblading fade beautifully, but if colour builds up or lasts too long, removal is your next step — not failure, just smart maintenance.
When Microblading Fades or Fails
Even with great technique, microblading doesn’t always fade evenly, and that’s when clients start noticing the problems no one talks about early on.
After a few years, pigments can shift tone or lose balance. Reds oxidise, browns cool into ashy greys, and dark brows may turn solid or patchy. The once fine, hair-like strokes blur together, leaving a shadowy haze that no longer suits your face or colouring.
For some clients, this happens after years of touch-ups and pigment build-up. Layer after layer of new colour may hide the issue for a while, but it also pushes pigment deeper into the skin. Over time, that creates an opaque or muddy look, and no amount of colour correction or microblading on top will fix it.
That’s when saline removal becomes the smart next step. Using a gentle, mineral-based solution like Botched Ink®, a trained technician can lift out old pigment to restore balance and brightness to the skin.
It’s not just for bad work, it’s for brows that have simply lived too long, darkened too much, or lost their tone. Sometimes fading just a few shades is enough to revive the whole look.
Whether you want to completely remove old pigment or just soften what’s there, saline removal gives your skin a reset, so your next brows can truly look new again.
How to Extend the Life of Microbladed Brows
If your brows are freshly microbladed, how you treat them now decides how long they’ll last — and how well they’ll fade later. The goal isn’t to keep pigment forever; it’s to keep it healthy, even, and fade-ready when the time comes.
Protect from Sun & Sweat
UV exposure oxidises pigment, shifting it from soft browns to reddish or grey tones. Use daily SPF and avoid prolonged sweating or swimming in salt or chlorinated water, which speeds up fading and colour change.
Be Gentle with Skincare
Harsh exfoliants like glycolic acid, retinol, and Vitamin A disrupt pigment retention and can create uneven fading. Keep these ingredients away from the brow area, especially in the first 8 weeks of healing.
Don’t Overdo Touch-Ups
It’s tempting to book frequent top-ups to keep brows crisp, but constant tattooing builds pigment density and scar tissue. Over time, that can make new pigment resist implantation or cause patchy healing. If you notice your skin looking shiny, textured, or resistant to new colour, it’s time to pause and consider saline removal to clear the canvas.
Follow Aftercare Closely
Let brows heal dry and naturally, no creams or picking. Once healed, apply sunscreen daily and moisturise lightly if needed. The healthier the skin barrier, the smoother your next treatment (or removal) will be.
When microblading is maintained with respect for the skin, fading can be graceful, not messy. And if your brows eventually dull, darken, or simply outlast their welcome, removal isn’t a failure; it’s part of their natural life cycle.
When to Consider Removal or Correction
If your brows are starting to look too dark, too dense, or too off-colour, don’t panic, and don’t pile more pigment on top. What you’re seeing is the skin’s natural limit.
Every microblading touch-up adds pigment. Over time, this builds up in layers, pushing colour deeper and dulling your results. When strokes blur, or your brows look solid and flat instead of defined, that’s your sign that it’s time for a reset, not another refill.
Saline removal is the most effective and skin-safe way to lift out old pigment, especially for cosmetic tattoos on brows. Using a gentle salt-based solution, Botched Ink® draws pigment up through natural healing — without the harsh acids or unpredictable burns of chemical removers.
It’s not just for mistakes. Many clients choose removal to:
Fade brows that have turned grey, red, or orange
Soften brows that have become too dark or blocky
Lighten the area for a cleaner colour correction or new style
Think of removal as a fresh start — the bridge between old work and your next beautiful brows. Some clients only need one or two lightening sessions, others do a full course to fully clear the skin. Either way, the result is freedom: no more hiding or overcorrecting, just healthy skin ready for what’s next.
For brows that have aged out of their best years, Botched Ink® saline removal is the modern, professional way to restore balance and confidence, not punishment for past work, but permission to start again.
Conclusion
Microblading can be a beautiful enhancement, but it’s never truly permanent, and that’s a good thing. Brows evolve, pigments shift, and skin changes over time. The key is knowing when to maintain, when to pause, and when to clear the canvas.
For many clients, saline removal isn’t the end of their brow journey, it’s the renewal. By gently lifting out old pigment, Botched Ink® gives you back control, over your colour, shape, and confidence.
Whether your goal is a full removal or just to lift dull, grey tones for a cleaner refresh, our trained technicians can help you find the right balance.
Healthy skin. Softer colour. Fresh start.
Microblading FAQs
How long does microblading last?
Microblading typically lasts 12–24 months, depending on pigment depth, skin type, and aftercare. Oily skin tends to fade faster, while dry or normal skin retains pigment longer. Over time, brows soften in colour and definition. If pigment stays too long or becomes uneven, saline removal can gently lift it for a cleaner refresh.
What does microblading look like after 5 years?
After five years, microblading often looks faded, blurred, or discoloured. Pigments can oxidise, turning grey, red, or orange, and strokes lose their crispness. This is normal, skin changes and pigment settles deeper. Saline removal can lighten or clear the area, making room for fresh, natural-looking brows again.
Does microblading fade completely?
It can fade, but not always completely. Some pigments, especially those with carbon black or iron oxides, remain for many years. Professional removal is often needed to fully clear the skin. Botched Ink® saline removal lifts all pigment colours safely, restoring a clean base for future treatments.
Can microblading be removed or corrected?
Yes. Both laser and saline removal can reduce or remove unwanted microblading. For cosmetic tattoos, saline removal is preferred, it works on all pigment colours and is gentler on delicate brow skin. Botched Ink® is ideal for lifting dull or uneven pigment before a new brow treatment.
Why does microblading turn grey or red over time?
As pigment breaks down, certain colour tones fade faster than others. Cool pigments often leave behind grey or blue undertones, while warmer blends may turn red or orange. This is called pigment oxidation, and it’s common in long-term microblading. Saline removal can help rebalance colour or lift it entirely.
How many times can you microblade your eyebrows?
There’s no strict limit, but skin needs time to heal fully between sessions. Repeated microblading over scar tissue can cause blurring or patchy healing. After several touch-ups, saline removal may be needed to lift old pigment before applying new work, ensuring crisp, healthy results.
What’s the best way to remove old or faded microblading?
The safest, most effective method is saline tattoo removal. Botched Ink® uses a gentle salt-based solution to draw pigment out through natural healing, lighter scabs, minimal irritation, and smoother skin recovery. It’s ideal for correcting faded, dark, or uneven brows.
Where to Go From Here
If you’ve read this far, you already know what sets Botched Ink® apart, gentle, effective saline tattoo removal designed for both results and skin health.
For clients: Ready to remove or lighten unwanted brows? Find a Botched Ink® technician near you. Our "Find a Tech Map" connects you with trained professionals worldwide.
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For professionals: Thinking of offering saline tattoo removal in your clinic? Enrol in our online training or in-person model class. You’ll learn the Botched Ink® method directly from the brand that created it.
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Botched Ink® is more than just a solution in a sachet, it’s a system built on education, support, and trust. Whether you’re a client or a tech, you’ll always have guidance every step of the way.
Thank you for reading!
Lisa Henning
Owner and developer of Botched Ink®
The Author: Lisa Henning
Lisa is the owner and developer of Botched Ink®, an industry leading saline removal brand offering comprehensive online and in-person training, and our exclusive Botched Ink® saline removal solution.
