When I first started microblading, the most common question I heard from clients was, “Will my eyebrows grow back after the procedure?” It’s a natural concern.
After all, we’re talking about tattooing a layer of pigment into the skin, so understandably, many people wonder if it’ll affect their natural eyebrow growth.
I’m going to dive into what you can truly expect in terms of eyebrow regrowth after microblading, shedding light on myths and offering a clear picture of how microblading interacts with natural hair follicles.
Does Microblading Affect Eyebrow Hair Growth?
The first thing to know is that microblading doesn’t typically affect the growth of your eyebrow hairs.
The pigments are deposited into the upper layers of your skin, specifically, the papillary dermis, which is far from the deeper dermal layer where hair follicles reside. So, no, it doesn’t damage your hair follicles or permanently stunt hair growth.
However, during the healing process, you might experience temporary shedding of natural eyebrow hairs.
This is usually a result of the skin’s healing process, where the surface skin flakes off, sometimes taking a few hair strands along with it. But don’t panic—this shedding is short-lived, and the hair generally grows back within a few weeks.
In fact, microblading can even encourage hair regrowth for some clients. I’ve seen this first-hand with a few of my clients who’ve told me that their brows appear fuller and more defined after the healing process, possibly due to the gentle stimulation of the hair follicles from the microblading process.
Eyebrow Growth After Microblading: What to Expect
So, how long will it take for your natural brows to grow back after the procedure? This really depends on your skin type, overall health, and aftercare routine.
On average, the healing process for microblading takes about 4-6 weeks, but eyebrow hair regrowth can vary. For some, hair starts to grow back within a couple of weeks, while for others, it may take a little longer. Expect to see initial signs of regrowth around week 2 or 3.
This can vary slightly depending on the individual, but keep in mind that some of the regrowth you notice may be a little patchy at first.
Important: Even though your eyebrow hairs may begin growing back, don’t be tempted to pluck or shape them prematurely. This could affect the final look of your brows after the touch-up session, which is usually scheduled about 6-8 weeks after the initial procedure. Patience is key!
Can Microblading Cause Permanent Hair Loss?
The short answer is no—microblading does not cause permanent eyebrow hair loss. As I mentioned earlier, microblading is a surface-level procedure that doesn’t reach the hair follicle itself.
The only way hair loss might occur is if the technician goes too deep, which could damage the hair follicle. This is a rare occurrence and usually results from poor technique.
I’ve been doing this for over two decades now, and I’ve always made it a point to stay well within the optimal skin layers, ensuring that no damage is done to the natural hair follicle. That said, a skilled technician is paramount in ensuring the safety and health of your natural brows.
However, if you’re noticing bald spots or persistent hair loss long after healing, this could be due to other factors such as genetics, health conditions like alopecia, or even over-plucking prior to the procedure. These conditions are unrelated to the microblading itself.
Regrowing Eyebrows After Microblading: Tips and Insights
If you’re concerned about your brow growth after microblading, it’s essential to understand that patience is key. Here’s what you can do to encourage healthy regrowth:
- Give it Time: As much as you may want to see full brows again immediately, remember that the healing and regrowth process takes time. The first few weeks may feel frustrating, but avoid picking or scratching at your brows during the healing process. This is crucial for preventing long-term damage and ensuring the pigment lasts.
- Aftercare Matters: Proper aftercare is essential. Applying the recommended aftercare ointments and avoiding excessive sweating, sun exposure, or makeup will allow your brows to heal optimally, helping your natural hair to regrow well.
- Eyebrow Growth Serums: If you feel your brows could use a little extra help, some clients have found eyebrow growth serums helpful. These products contain ingredients like biotin and peptides, which can promote hair growth. If you’re looking for something more natural, oils like castor oil or coconut oil have been known to work wonders for stimulating hair follicles.
- Maintain Regular Touch-ups: Even though your brows are designed to last 1-2 years, it’s important to schedule a touch-up appointment every 12-18 months to maintain their shape, colour, and definition.
How Microblading Affects Eyebrow Growth: Understanding the Healing Process
Microblading may cause some temporary changes in eyebrow growth, especially during the initial healing process.
While the procedure itself does not permanently damage the hair follicles, the healing phase can lead to shedding of the natural eyebrow hairs, which may concern some people. However, this is completely normal and part of the body’s natural response to the procedure.
Here’s what typically happens during the first few weeks after microblading:
- Day 1-2 (Immediately after): Your eyebrows might appear darker than expected, and there could be slight redness or tenderness. There’s often mild swelling, and some people experience initial shedding of brow hairs.
- Day 3-7 (Flaking phase): As the skin begins to heal, scabs or flakes may appear. While the skin heals, some natural brow hairs might be lost in the process, but don’t panic—this is temporary. It’s important not to pick at scabs or flakes to avoid damaging the newly tattooed area.
- Week 2-4 (Final healing): By this stage, the skin should have fully healed, and new hair growth should be visible. It’s also common for some areas to look patchy or lighter than expected. This is because the pigment is still settling, and it will return to its final form once the touch-up session is completed.
Aftercare is key to minimising shedding and ensuring optimal hair growth. Avoid wetting the treated area excessively and follow the technician’s advice to prevent unnecessary damage to the area during healing.
Why Do Some People Experience Eyebrow Hair Shedding After Microblading?
Though eyebrow hair shedding after microblading is completely normal, it’s helpful to understand why it happens and what can trigger it.
While microblading itself doesn’t cause permanent hair loss, shedding can occur as part of the skin’s healing and regeneration process.
Here are some common reasons for temporary eyebrow hair shedding:
- The Healing Process: When the skin begins to heal, it can lead to the natural loss of a few hair strands along with scabbing or flaking. This temporary shedding should subside as the skin fully recovers.
- Excessive Scratching or Picking: During the healing process, your brows may feel itchy. However, scratching or picking can damage both the pigment and natural eyebrow hairs, leading to further shedding or even scarring.
- Skin Type: People with oily skin may experience faster fading of the pigment, but they also tend to shed natural eyebrow hairs more rapidly during the healing phase. If you have oily skin, be sure to follow the aftercare instructions carefully to ensure the best results.
- Pre-existing Conditions: Conditions such as alopecia or hormonal imbalances can already cause eyebrow thinning or hair loss. If you have any underlying conditions, these might contribute to temporary shedding after microblading.
When Will My Eyebrows Fully Regrow After Microblading?
While you may notice some temporary shedding during the first few weeks, the full regrowth of your natural eyebrow hairs typically takes around 4-6 weeks. During this time, your natural eyebrow hair will grow back alongside the microblading pigment as the skin heals.
Here’s a rough timeline for regrowing your brows after the microblading procedure:
|
Timeline |
What Happens to Your Eyebrows |
|
Week 1 |
Shedding of natural hair may occur along with the scabbing phase. The brows will appear darker. |
|
Week 2-3 |
Eyebrows may feel itchy. Shedding may continue, but new hair growth will start appearing. |
|
Week 4-6 |
Full regrowth of brow hairs starts to appear. The colour of the pigment should settle. |
|
Week 6-8 |
The brow shape should be defined, and the skin healed. Any patchiness can be corrected in a touch-up. |
To ensure the best eyebrow regrowth, continue to avoid scratching or plucking during the healing period. After 6 weeks, touch-up sessions will perfect the shape and colour, but the hair itself should have regrown naturally by this time.
What to Do If Your Eyebrow Hair Isn’t Growing Back After Microblading?
While it’s uncommon, some people might experience slower or incomplete regrowth of eyebrow hairs following a microblading procedure.
If you’re noticing patchy regrowth or your eyebrows aren’t growing back the way you expected, there are several factors and solutions to consider.
Here’s a breakdown of why this might happen and what you can do about it:
Possible Causes for Slow or No Eyebrow Hair Regrowth
- Scarring or Injury: If the microblading procedure was too deep or there was excessive picking or scratching, it could cause scarring that impedes hair growth. This may lead to permanent bald spots.
- Health Conditions: Conditions like alopecia, hypothyroidism, or other hormonal imbalances can affect your ability to regrow eyebrow hair. If you have an underlying condition, it might be worth speaking to your doctor.
- Poor Aftercare: Improper aftercare, such as getting the brows wet too soon, excessive sweating, or failing to follow aftercare instructions, can slow down the healing process and affect hair regrowth.
What You Can Do to Encourage Eyebrow Hair Regrowth
- Consider Using Eyebrow Growth Serums: Products containing peptides, biotin, and castor oil are known to promote hair growth. These can be used on a daily basis to help nourish and stimulate hair follicles.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet: A diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E, along with biotin, zinc, and iron, can support healthy hair growth. Foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins are excellent choices.
- Be Patient: Hair regrowth takes time. If you’ve noticed some shedding, don’t be discouraged. Regrowth can take up to 3 months for some individuals, and full recovery is often seen in about 6 months.
- Consult a Dermatologist: If your hair is not growing back at all or the regrowth is patchy, seeking professional advice from a dermatologist can help identify any potential health issues that may be contributing to hair loss.
Can Microblading Help with Eyebrow Hair Growth for Sparse Brows?
Microblading isn’t just about creating fuller, more defined brows—it can also benefit individuals who struggle with sparse or uneven eyebrow hair growth.
If you’re someone who’s experienced thin eyebrows due to over-plucking, aging, or genetic factors, microblading can offer not only a solution for improving appearance but can also potentially stimulate hair growth in the long run.
Here’s how microblading might help in such cases:
How Microblading Can Stimulate Eyebrow Hair Growth
- Promotes Circulation to the Follicles: During the microblading process, the tiny needles create small channels in the skin. This can increase blood flow to the area, which may encourage hair follicle stimulation and promote growth.
- Fuller Brows from the Start: Even if your natural brows have thinned, the fine strokes from microblading can give the illusion of fullness and definition, which in turn may motivate natural hair to fill in areas that were once sparse.
- Psychological Boost: When people see their brows looking fuller, they often take better care of them. This can include avoiding harsh hair removal methods like over-plucking, and being more mindful of aftercare, which contributes to healthier natural growth.
Best Candidates for Microblading and Eyebrow Hair Growth
- Those with Uneven Growth: If you’ve got a patchy area where hair isn’t growing as thick, microblading can camouflage this while encouraging the skin to heal and possibly stimulate more hair growth.
- Over-Plucked or Waxed Brows: If your brows have been over-plucked or waxed in the past, microblading can help cover up the thinning areas while allowing your natural growth to catch up underneath the pigment.
Caring for Sparse Brows After Microblading
- Avoid Over-plucking: Resist the urge to pluck your brows too much after microblading. This will allow your natural hair to grow in and fill in any gaps.
- Use Natural Oils: Apply oils like castor oil or argan oil to the brows daily, as they help stimulate the hair follicles and nourish the skin.
- Regular Touch-ups: Having a touch-up session at the 6-8 week mark is key for keeping the shape intact and ensuring your brows stay defined as your natural growth progresses.
Myths vs. Facts: Debunking Eyebrow Hair Loss After Microblading
There are a few myths I often encounter about eyebrow hair loss after microblading that need clearing up:
- Myth #1: Microblading will permanently stop my eyebrows from growing.
- Fact: As we’ve covered, microblading doesn’t damage hair follicles. The pigment sits in the surface layers of the skin, and hair growth continues underneath.
- Myth #2: I’ll experience permanent bald patches.
- Fact: This only happens if the technician goes too deep into the skin, which can damage the follicle. A professional artist will avoid this risk.
- Myth #3: Eyebrow hair will never look the same again.
- Fact: After the procedure, your hair will grow back as it always has. Microblading simply enhances the shape and fullness of your brows.
So, will your eyebrows grow back after microblading? Absolutely! The procedure doesn’t harm the natural growth of your brow hair, and in most cases, you’ll find your eyebrows growing back just as they were.
If you experience any shedding or patchiness during the healing process, don’t worry—it’s all part of the process.
If you’re still concerned, make sure you’re choosing a skilled technician who follows proper aftercare instructions and keeps your eyebrows looking fresh for the long haul.
