Why Do Microbladed Eyebrows Turn Grey or Blue?

Why do some Microbladed brows turn grey or blue?

This is a question I hear often.

You’ve probably seen brows that have faded into grey or even blue hues, and wondered, “What went wrong there?”

Well, let's dive in and talk about how we can prevent discoloration and achieve long-lasting results!

Why Brows Turn Grey or Blue

There are several reasons why pigments can shift in color over time, and most of them are avoidable with the right techniques and aftercare. Let’s break down the most common culprits:

Pigment Placement (Too Deep):

One of the biggest reasons brows turn grey or blue is when the pigment is implanted too deep into the skin. When the ink gets placed into the deeper dermal layers, it’s more likely to cool down over time, leading to those undesired tones. Think of it like this: when we go deeper into the skin, the color is harder to control, and we see more of the body’s natural undertones (which tend to be cooler).

Color Selection (Too Dark):

Choosing a color that’s too dark for the client's skin tone is another factor. Darker pigments have more potential to fade in odd ways, especially when not matched properly to the individual’s undertones.

Unstable Pigments:

Some pigments just aren’t made to last. If an artist uses unstable pigments, it can cause the color to shift unpredictably as they break down over time.

Client Care:

Client aftercare plays a big role, too. If clients don’t follow proper healing instructions, especially when it comes to avoiding the sun and retinol during healing, it can lead to premature fading and discoloration.

Skin Conditions (Like Rosacea):

Lastly, certain skin conditions like rosacea can influence how pigments heal. Red, inflamed skin often cools pigment over time, pushing it toward grey or blue.

Our Approach: How We Help Prevent This

At our studio, we take a few very important steps to help avoid this from happening and to ensure your brows age gracefully over time:

Pigment Choice:

We use high-quality, stable pigments that are yellow-dominant. Why yellow? Because yellow is a warm color, and when it mixes with the cool undertones of the skin, it helps balance the healed results. It’s like adding warmth to counteract the natural coolness beneath the surface.

Warming It Up:

In some cases, we’ll even warm up the pigment further to account for the cooling effect the skin can have. This helps ensure that your brows won’t shift toward those unwanted grey/blue tones as they heal.

Proper Depth & Speed:

We’re meticulous about our technique. We go shallower, using the correct depth and speed during the procedure to place the pigment at the optimal level of the skin. This is key to preventing the color from going too deep, which—as I mentioned earlier—is a major factor in color shift.

Lighter is Safer:

We also tend to go lighter in our color choices. You can always build up pigment if needed, but once it’s too dark, you’re stuck with it. Lighter pigments allow for a more natural fade, and they’re less likely to turn cool over time. Plus, they give us more control over how the brows heal and look in the long term.

What You Can Do as the Client

Now, while we take great care in our approach, there are a few things you can do to help maintain those beautiful results:

Follow Healing Instructions:

I know, I know—aftercare can seem tedious, but trust me, it’s worth it. By keeping your brows clean, moisturized, and protected, you’re helping the pigment settle in properly and heal the way we intended.

Avoid Retinol:

If you’re using retinol on your face, keep it far away from your brows. Retinol is a fantastic skincare ingredient, but it speeds up cell turnover, which can cause the pigment to fade more quickly or unevenly.

SPF is Your Friend:

The sun can wreak havoc on pigments. Wearing SPF on your brows when you’re outside can help protect them from fading and changing color over time. Think of it as an extra layer of insurance for those gorgeous arches!

No Guarantees, But We Do Our Best!

While no artist can promise exact results (brows are as unique as the skin they’re on!), using these techniques and focusing on aftercare gives us the best shot at maintaining neutral, beautiful brows that age gracefully. You can always check out our Instagram Stories for healed results to see how our clients’ brows look over time.

I hope that gives you a deeper understanding of why some brows turn grey/blue and how we go the extra mile to prevent that from happening.