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Are you unhappy with the appearance of your eyebrows? The allure of having perfectly shaped brows probably influenced your decision to get microblading done.
But what if, somehow, you’re dissatisfied with the way they look? Can microblading be removed?
Whether you had a poor experience or are completely unhappy with how your brows look after microblading, you’re surely considering microblading removal.
Lucky for you, there are different ways to undo this nightmare. We’ll show you how to remove microblading using the most effective removal options. We’ll also help you find an ideal solution that fits your needs, goals, and budget.
Table of Contents
What Is Microblading?
Microblading is a semi-permanent cosmetic procedure used to create fuller-looking brows. Anyone with sparse or uneven eyebrows can benefit from this.
The success of microblading depends mainly on the artist’s expertise, which is why you should only hire a certified and well-trained artist for the job.
During the consultation, a professional will sit you down and help you figure out the best brow shape for your face. They’ll also find the best pigment to match your natural brow color and skin undertones.
Before a session, artists prep the skin by cleaning the brows and adding numbing creams. Then they use a handheld microblading tool to draw strokes on the brows.
Each stroke they add mimics the look of natural brow hair, giving the brows a defined yet natural look.
A session can last 30 to 40 minutes. After four weeks, artists will encourage you to get a touch-up to correct any minor issues.
How Long Does Microblading Last?
Eyebrow tattoos last a lifetime. Microbladed brows, without any touch-ups, only last anywhere from 18 to 30 months before beginning to fade.
Since microblading uses different pigments and techniques unlike traditional tattoo procedures, they aren’t as permanent.
The microblading pigments’ longevity will depend on various factors, such as skin type, skincare routines, pigment, sun exposure, and lifestyle.
For example, people with iron deficiency or smoking habits are likely to experience poor pigment retention. Thus, their microbladed brows won’t last as long.
Microblading techniques used can also affect pigment retention. Poorly executed microblading can lead to longer-lasting yet poor-quality results, which will still be visible after three years or more.
You might even notice drastic color changes over time. Some microblading pigments change into a reddish or orange hue, while others turn gray or blue.
In such cases, you’ll have to certain removal methods to undo the colors and remedy the changes.
How to Fade and Remove Microblading Pigments
Let’s look at the most effective options for microblading removal, what they entail, and how much they cost.
1. Color-Correcting Makeup
A quick fix for your microblading nightmare is makeup. A wide range of color-correcting makeup available can help you cover up and draw on new brows.
From primers and concealers to powders, you can cancel out the unattractive ink no matter your skin tone.
Color correction makeup doesn’t permanently remove the microblading, but it can temporarily cover it up. It will give you a boost of confidence in your day-to-day life.
Basic knowledge of color theory is needed. Essentially, you’ll use complementary colors to cancel out the unwanted colors on the skin.
For instance, a green concealer can neutralize the reddish hues of your old microbladed brows. On the other hand, an orange concealer can neutralize blues.
If you don’t have the skills, you can practice and learn. You’ll find a wealth of resources online that can walk you through the color correction process one step at a time.
2. Microblading Color Correction
A semi-permanent alternative to applying color-correcting makeup is microblading color correction. Anyone unsatisfied with the ink on their brows can use this to remedy their problem.
A permanent makeup (PMU) artist can cancel out those unwanted hues using a correction shade, whether red, orange, gray, blue, or purple.
Similar to applying color-correcting makeup, a corrector pigment is needed to cancel out those unattractive hues.
The artist embeds color-correcting pigment over microblading pigment until the target color is achieved. You might have to repeat this process in the next session if the color hasn’t been neutralized to your desired level.
Color correction takes a lot of skill, and it takes technicians years of practice to perfect color-matching. Hence, you should carefully select your technician before a session.
Remember that microblading color correction isn’t a quick fix to the problem. It may require multiple sessions, depending on the state of your brows and your desired results.
Compared to your average microblading session, a color correction session can be more expensive, amounting to at least $500.
3. Laser Brow Tattoo Removal
A laser treatment is one of the most effective ways to remove unwanted ink on your brows. Once your brows have fully healed, you can be a good candidate for a laser tattoo removal.
This process uses a high-power laser to break the ink particles on your skin, causing them to fade over time. Like other small tattoos, your microbladed brows will be under the laser for under a minute per session.
It isn’t entirely a painless process, but the results will be worth it.
You may need more than one session to remove the ink. It all depends on the quality and formulation of the ink used, how deep it’s been injected into the skin, and its age.
Each session may cost at least $500.
Make sure to find a licensed expert from a certified tattoo removal clinic for your safety. By looking at their client microblading removal before and after photos, you can gauge their skill and expertise.
During a consultation, you’ll find out if you are a good candidate for laser tattoo removal. If not, an expert can also help you understand other options for microblading reversal.
4. Saline Treatments
A popular alternative to laser treatments is saline tattoo removal. It uses a more natural approach to reverse the results of microblading. Plus, it’s cheaper than laser removal, with sessions ranging from $150 to $250.
Saline solutions — composed of salt, purified water, and other natural ingredients — can be purchased online.
However, it is always ideal to seek professional services. This way, you can minimize the risks of permanent scarring, especially if you have dark or sensitive skin.
One of the safest and most effective saline treatments today is called Li-FT. It is composed of purified water, salt, lemon, and orange seed extracts.
Professionals use this for microblading pigment removal and permanent makeup removal.
The number of sessions you’ll need to remove microblade eyebrows largely depends on your microblading procedure and desired results. Some pigments can be removed with a single session, while others might take five or more.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide Treatments
Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are commonly used to remove microblading at home without professional help. Just like at-home saline treatments, this has its risks.
So ensure you’ve done all your research before performing this all by yourself.
For this treatment, you’ll have to make a paste consisting of baking soda and 3% hydrogen peroxide. Then you apply it and let it sit for no longer than 15 minutes. You can use it a few times a day for better results.
Although safe, hydrogen peroxide can sting when applied to an open wound. You might feel a burning sensation if you use it on sensitive skin or brows that haven’t fully healed yet.
You might also experience permanent scarring if you aren’t too careful.
6. Glycolic Acid Treatment
Glycolic acid is effective at removing cosmetic tattoos, whether it be microblading, permanent eyeliners, or lip liner tattoos. You can start glycolic acid treatments once your tattoos have fully healed.
During this procedure, a technician will insert a glycolic acid solution to draw out the pigments from your skin. It will cause the skin to scab over, eventually removing the ink.
It might be tempting to pick the scabs; however, you shouldn’t. Just let them fall off to prevent permanent scarring.
You can achieve your desired results after two to six sessions. Since there’s an eight-week healing time between sessions, it’ll be a few months before you get the desired results.
Glycolic acid treatments aren’t for everyone, and the solutions may contain different chemicals that can trigger allergic reactions. If you’re interested in this treatment, do patch tests before you proceed.
Treatment can range from $100 to $700, depending on the expertise of your technician and the glycolic acid solution, among other things.
7. Microneedling With Other Treatments
Alongside other treatments, you can use microneedling to remove microblading. It involves perforating the skin with thin needles to enable products to penetrate effectively.
As you heal and regenerate, you will have noticeably better skin texture.
Microneedling is also used for treating other skin conditions, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and scars. Now, it’s increasingly being used for microblading removal.
This treatment can’t and shouldn’t be done at home. You don’t have the tools, microblading pigment removal products, or training to perform this.
Each microneedling session can cost anywhere from $100 to $700.
8. Chemical Exfoliators
As you know by now, removing microblading eyebrows can be costly. A budget-friendly alternative to those expensive treatments can be done at home — that is, if your brow problem is very minimal.
Chemical exfoliators can lighten your microblading results faster by exfoliating the top layers of dead skin cells and boosting the production of new cells.
Once your brows have fully healed, you can use chemical exfoliators like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).
9. Retinol With an Exfoliant
Layering retinol with a chemical exfoliant will fade your microblading results faster and boost your skin’s health.
Retinol is effective for lightening microblading results and other brow treatments, such as powder brows and nano brows.
Like chemical exfoliants, retinol increases cell renewal, which causes the pigment to fade as new healthy cells form underneath.
10. Microblading Removal Creams
Tattoo removal creams are widely available on the market, and many use them. However, they aren’t the safest or most effective option, and often, they might do more harm than good.
A microblading removal cream usually contain glycolic acid, hydroquinone, and other ingredients found in dark-spot correctors.
Although it can exfoliate your skin’s outer layer and cause it to peel and fade the pigment, it still can’t reach the ink deposited in the deeper layers of the skin.
11. Waiting It Out
Waiting out is an ideal microblading removal solution for those who haven’t been botched. If your brow problem is very minimal and can be corrected with makeup, you can just let the pigments fade naturally.
However, suppose the microblading results are too unbearable. In that case, your desire to undo this nightmare as soon as possible is completely understandable.
There are several brow tattoo removal options for you out there.
If the pigments aren’t fading properly or quickly as you want, a professional microblading eyebrows removal treatment should be a more effective solution than waiting it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Remove Microblading?
Yes. Microblading is a semi-permanent brow tattooing procedure used to create fuller-looking perfectly arched brows.
A professional technician uses a manual handheld tool to define and enhance your brows using cosmetic pigments.
Unlike a real tattoo, your body can break down these pigments, making them appear lighter over time. After two or more years, the pigments should have completely faded away.
Why Is My Microblading Lasting So Long?
The technician probably performed the procedure using improper microblading techniques if your brows aren’t fading at the pace they should.
If they implement the pigments too deep into your skin, you’ll end up with more permanent yet blurry tattoos.
Your body could also have difficulty breaking down the pigment formulas. If a subpar formulation is used, it can leave unattractive shadows and color changes on your brows.
What Do I Do If I Hate My Microblading?
Fixing a botched microblading job is possible. You can touch up unsatisfactory results with the help of a qualified and experienced artist or technician.
Before booking a session, make sure to ask for credentials and certifications from the American Academy of Micropigmentation (AAM) or the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP).
If you want to lighten or remove unwanted pigments, look into different removal options: laser, saline treatments, glycolic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and the others listed above.
No matter what option you choose, selecting a skilled and well-trained professional to perform the removal is crucial.
How Can I Remove a Tattoo at Home Fast?
No single topical cream or solution can help you remove microblading at home. If you aren’t careful, these at-home treatments can leave your skin scarred, burned, or irritated.
Do-it-yourself brow tattoo removal remedies are quite common online. However, that doesn’t mean they work.
Most DIY remedies require organic ingredients like lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and rosehip seed oil.
Although safe and natural, they can result in burns and scars in some people, which make the microblading pigments harder to remove.
What Is the Best Way to Remove Microblading?
The safest and most effective microblading removal methods entail professional services. They may require multiple sessions and cost more than your average microblading session, but the results will be worth it.
It might be tempting to remove microblading at home using saline solutions and microblading removal creams.
However, professional services are safer and proven effective. With the help of an expert, you get rid of your unwanted ink permanently while minimizing the risks of scarring.
If you’re looking for cost-effective options, you may lighten your microbladed brows using chemical exfoliators or retinol, which accelerate cell renewal. However, these will only lighten the pigments, not remove them.
You can also use color-correcting makeup while you wait for all the pigments to fade naturally.
