Clients ask this question before almost every microblading appointment, and the honest answer is: it depends. Typically somewhere between 12 and 24 months — but your skin type, sun habits, and how closely you follow aftercare all shift that number significantly.
The short answer
Most microblading results last between one and two years. After that, the strokes soften and fade — not disappear all at once, but gradually lighten until a refresh session brings them back.
That gradual fading is actually a feature. Microblading ages with you. If your face changes slightly over time, the brows soften rather than looking stuck in the past.
What makes microblading fade faster?
Oily skin is the biggest factor. The pigment sits in the upper layers of the skin, and skin that produces more oil tends to push it out faster. If you have naturally oily skin, expect your brows to need a refresh closer to the 12-month mark.
Other things that accelerate fading:
- Sun exposure — UV light breaks down pigment faster than almost anything else. Sunscreen on the brow area (and a hat when spending extended time outdoors) genuinely extends your results.
- Exfoliating skincare — retinol, glycolic acid, and other exfoliants used near the brows speed up skin turnover and pull the pigment along with it.
- Swimming and saunas — chlorinated water and heat both soften pigment over time.
- Skincare with acids — even cleansers with active ingredients can affect the brow area if they drift.
What helps microblading last longer?
The most important thing happens in the first two weeks. Following aftercare properly — keeping the brows dry, not picking at any flaking, and avoiding products in the area — allows the pigment to settle fully into the skin. Shortcuts during this window show up as patchy or uneven results once everything heals.
After the initial healing period:
- Apply a broad-spectrum SPF to the brow area daily.
- Use retinol and exfoliating products below the brow line, not on it.
- Avoid prolonged direct sun on the brows.
- Keep the touch-up appointment (6 to 8 weeks after the first session).
The touch-up is not optional
Every microblading process includes two sessions: the initial appointment and a perfecting touch-up 6 to 8 weeks later. During healing, some areas retain pigment better than others — the touch-up fills in any gaps, deepens strokes that have healed lighter, and ensures the brows look even and finished.
Skipping the touch-up and coming back a year later to "fix" the brows is never as satisfying as doing the follow-up when the skin is still responding well. It is part of the process — not an extra appointment.
When to book a refresh session
There is no fixed schedule. Book a refresh when the brows have faded to a point where you are filling them in again — or when the definition has softened enough that you miss the effortless morning routine. For most clients this is somewhere between 12 and 18 months.
Some clients go longer — up to two years or more — especially those with drier skin who take good care of the area. Some prefer to refresh annually before full fading sets in, just to maintain crisp definition. Both approaches are valid.
A note on skin type
Dry to normal skin holds microblading best. Combination skin is usually fine. Very oily skin — particularly around the T-zone that extends to the forehead — can cause the strokes to blur slightly over time rather than fade as crisp hairstrokes.
If you have oily skin and have been told microblading is not suitable for you, it is worth having a conversation before ruling it out entirely. Technique matters. Jade has worked with a range of skin types and can tell you honestly whether microblading or a different approach makes more sense for your brows.
The bottom line
Plan on microblading lasting 12 to 24 months. Treat the follow-up appointment as part of the original process, protect the brows from sun year-round, and keep strong exfoliants away from the area. Done properly, microblading delivers effortless, natural-looking brows for years — with a simple annual or biannual refresh to keep them sharp.