Why Do Certain Eyebrow Tattoos Turn Reddish, Greyish, Or Bluish?

Let’s face it: eyebrow tattoos are a fantastic way to save time on your beauty routine and keep your brows looking sharp without the daily effort. However, over time, you might notice some odd colour changes—your once perfect brown brows could turn a strange shade of blue, grey, or even red. So, why does this happen? Is it inevitable, or is there something you can do about it?

In my experience, as someone who has had microblading done (and later a tattooed eyebrow touch-up), I know that colour changes are a common concern. When I first got my brows done, I remember asking the artist, “What happens if the colour shifts?” She assured me it was all about the quality of the pigment, the technique, and how well I took care of them after the procedure. Yet, despite her expert knowledge, I still had to get a touch-up sooner than expected due to some colour changes.

The truth is, eyebrow tattoo pigments are designed to fade over time. But it’s the way those pigments break down that can lead to unexpected colour shifts. Some colours are more likely to change due to the way they break down in the skin—leading to brows that turn blue, grey, or reddish. Here’s what you need to know about why and how these colour changes happen.

Pigment Composition And How It Affects Colour

You’ve probably heard that eyebrow tattoo pigments are made from a mix of ingredients. But, did you know that the colour you see immediately after getting the tattoo isn’t exactly what you’re going to end up with?

How Brow Pigment Breaks Down

Most brow pigments are not just a single brown colour—they’re a mixture of several different pigments like black, red, yellow, and sometimes even blue or green. It’s like a recipe where each ingredient fades at different rates, and some fade quicker than others.

When I first got my eyebrows done, I had a slight reddish hue to them, which was quite noticeable on my fair skin. This happened because the yellow and green pigments in the brown mix faded first, and the reddish tones took longer to break down.

• Turning Red or Orange: Here’s the thing—yellow and green pigments are often the weakest of the bunch. They break down first, and what’s left behind can be a mixture of red and yellow tones. In inorganic pigments, like those based on iron oxide, the black pigment used can also be unstable. Over time, it rusts—literally—and that rusting process can lead to more red or orange hues. While this is less of an issue with modern pigments, it’s still something that can happen, especially if the pigment quality isn’t top-notch.
• Turning Blue, Grey, or Ashy: On the flip side, if you’ve ever seen eyebrow tattoos turn blue or grey, it’s likely due to the breakdown of the red and yellow pigments, leaving behind black and white pigments. Carbon-based (organic) pigments, used by many top artists, tend to fade into these cooler tones. Imagine trying to paint your brows with eyeliner ink—it’s black, and that black fades into blue and green shades, leaving your brows with an ashy, greyish look.

Pigment Quality And Type: What’s In Your Ink?

You may have heard of organic and inorganic pigments. Simply put, inorganic pigments (like iron oxide) are mineral-based and can result in warmer, reddish hues as they fade. Organic pigments, which are often carbon-based, may result in cooler, greyer tones.

But not all pigments are created equal. I’ve seen firsthand how some eyebrow artists use lower-quality pigments that might look good right after the procedure, but change colour unpredictably. I’ve also worked with clients who’ve come to me with their brows discoloured because they used expired or poor-quality pigments in previous procedures. These pigments often contain heavy metals or titanium dioxide, which react poorly to treatments such as lasers.

How Artist Technique Influences Eyebrow Tattoo Colour Retention

I’ll admit, when I first got my eyebrow tattoo done, I had no idea how much the artist’s skill would impact the final colour. I assumed the most significant factor would be the pigment itself. However, after speaking with a few professionals and reflecting on my own experiences, I realised just how crucial the artist’s technique is in ensuring your brows heal with the right colour.

Depth Of Implantation: Too Deep, Too Shallow

One of the most important things to consider when getting an eyebrow tattoo is the depth at which the pigment is implanted. The placement of the pigment in the skin is everything.

• Too Deep: If the pigment is placed too deeply, it can settle under the dermis, which means the pigment gets trapped between layers of skin and blood vessels. The result? The pigment appears through more layers of skin, which can cause the colours to heal with a cool, ashy, or even bluish tint. I’ve seen clients who went to less experienced artists end up with brows that looked a bit “frosted,” with the colours lacking warmth and appearing more greyish or blue than they intended.
• Too Shallow: On the other hand, if the pigment is placed too close to the surface of the skin, the colour may not be well-retained, causing the pigment to fade prematurely. And if the pigment does not penetrate deeply enough, the brow can also turn reddish, orange, or even pink, as the skin tends to push the pigment out over time.

For example, one of my friends had her brows tattooed a little too shallow, and after a few months, they turned a light orange hue. It was a clear sign that the pigment didn’t stay in place as it should have.

Incorrect Pigment Selection: Matching The Right Tone To Skin Type

It’s not just about the technique; the proper pigment selection is also key. A great artist will continually assess your skin tone—whether it’s warm, cool, or neutral—before choosing a pigment. But what happens if the artist gets it wrong?

• Cool Skin Tones: For people with cooler undertones, using a cool-toned pigment can result in brows that turn ashy, grey, or even blue. This is because the red and yellow pigments fade faster, leaving behind the cooler blue pigments, which gives that greyish effect. I’ve personally worked with clients who were disappointed when their perfectly natural brown brows turned cool-toned, simply because their artist didn’t choose the right pigment to suit their skin undertones.
• Warm Skin Tones: If you have warm undertones, the artist should select warmer pigments to avoid your brows turning too reddish or orange. Unfortunately, not all artists consider this, and sometimes they’ll pick a pigment that’s just too neutral or cool for your complexion, resulting in a colour shift you didn’t expect.

Skin Type And Personal Factors That Impact Colour

I want to emphasise how significantly your skin type and chemistry impact the outcome of your eyebrow tattoo. When I was researching for this blog, I came across many people who experienced fading or discolouration due to their skin type. If you have oily skin or certain skin conditions, you may be more prone to these changes.

Oily Skin And Fading

If you have oily skin, you’ve probably noticed how products don’t always last as long on your skin as they do on others. The same principle applies to eyebrow tattoos. Oily skin tends to push pigment out more quickly, leading to faster fading and more noticeable discolouration. The pigments might blur, fade unevenly, or shift towards grey or blue.

One of my clients, with oily skin, had to come in for touch-ups more frequently than the average person. Initially, her brows were a warm brown, but after a few months, they started to look greyish, especially in the areas where her skin produced the most oil.

Iron Deficiency And Eyebrow Tattoo Colour

Now, this is something that’s less talked about, but I’ve seen it happen: if you’re iron-deficient, your body might try to absorb the iron oxide from the pigment. This absorption can cause your brows to turn an unusual orange or reddish tone. It’s a quirky little quirk that’s not often considered in the aftercare discussions. Still, I’ve had clients who were prescribed iron supplements and saw a dramatic improvement in the colour of their brows after correcting their iron deficiency.

Environmental And Lifestyle Factors That Contribute To Colour Changes

Alright, let’s talk about those external factors that might be slowly sabotaging your gorgeous brows.

Sun Exposure And UV Damage

When you’re out in the sun, you know that UV rays are damaging to your skin, but they can also play havoc with your eyebrow tattoos. UV rays break down pigments, causing them to fade and change colour. This is especially common in the hotter months here in Australia, where we get long stretches of intense sunlight.

In my own experience, I didn’t realise how much sun exposure could affect my brows until one summer when they turned a little redder than usual. I hadn’t been applying sunscreen directly to my brows, and I started to notice the colour shifting. It’s one of those things you don’t think about until it happens, but now, I’m diligent about sunscreen on my brows to protect them from UV damage.

Skincare Products: Watch What You Put On Your Skin

If you’re someone who loves skincare (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), you’ll need to be cautious with the products you apply to your brows. Ingredients like retinol, AHA, and vitamin C are beneficial for your skin, but can accelerate the fading process of your tattooed brows.

Personally, I love using exfoliating acids in my skincare routine, but I’ve had to adjust how and where I use them since I got my tattooed brows. If you’re applying skincare products like retinol or acid-based serums around your brows, be aware that these can exfoliate the skin, which can break down the pigment more quickly and cause your brows to shift in colour.

How To Prevent Or Fix Colour Changes In Eyebrow Tattoos

While it’s inevitable that your eyebrow tattoo will fade over time, understanding how to manage the factors that influence colour change can help you avoid those unwanted tones. Whether you’re dealing with premature fading or your brows are turning blue, grey, or red, here’s what you can do to fix or prevent it.

Choosing The Right Pigments And Artist

The first step to ensuring your eyebrow tattoo heals with the right colour is selecting the right pigment and a skilled artist. Not all artists use high-quality pigments, and not all pigments are suitable for every skin type.

What You Should Look for in Your Artist:

Tip: Before getting started, ask your artist for their pigment choices and ensure they understand your skin type (oily, dry, neutral) and undertones.

Touch-Ups And Corrective Pigments

If your eyebrow tattoo has already turned an undesirable colour, don’t worry! One of the most effective ways to fix eyebrow tattoo colour issues is through a touch-up session. During a touch-up, your artist can apply corrective pigments to counteract the unwanted tones.

• For Blue or Grey Tones: The artist can use warm pigments to neutralise the cool tones, such as peach, orange, or red-based colours, to bring the brows back to a warmer brown.
• For Red or Orange Tones: A cooler-toned pigment can be applied to neutralise the redness or orange hues, using green or blue tones to tone down the warmth.

Long-Term Maintenance And Aftercare

Taking care of your brows after the tattooing process is key to maintaining the colour and shape.

Effective Aftercare for Maintaining Colour:

When To Seek Professional Help

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your eyebrow tattoo may still shift in colour due to factors outside of your control, like skin reactions, hormonal changes, or accidental damage. If you’re not satisfied with the result, it’s time to discuss a touch-up with your artist.

In rare cases, your tattoo may need more than just a simple touch-up and may require pigment removal or professional correction. If you’re dealing with severe discolouration, always consult an experienced, licensed professional to guide you through the options.

Eyebrow tattoos are an excellent way to wake up with perfectly shaped brows, but the reality is that the colours can shift over time. Understanding the factors that cause these colour changes—whether it’s the pigments themselves, artist technique, or environmental factors—can help you better maintain the look you desire. With the proper care, regular touch-ups, and the guidance of a knowledgeable artist, you can maintain your brows’ fresh and vibrant appearance for years to come.