How Long Does Microblading Last?
Updated: 1 day ago
One of the most common questions we get before booking is: how long does microblading actually last?
The honest answer is: it varies. The range you'll see quoted most often is 12–24 months, and that's accurate — but it's a wide range, and where you land within it depends on several factors that are worth understanding before you commit.
This guide covers everything that affects microblading longevity, how nano hairstrokes compare, and what you can do to make your results last as long as possible.
The Short Answer
Microblading typically lasts 12–24 months. Dry or normal skin with careful aftercare tends to sit towards the upper end, while oily skin or an active lifestyle often means results fade closer to 12 months. Nano hairstrokes usually last longer, typically 18 months to 3 years.
How long microblading lasts by skin type?
Skin type | Typical longevity | Why |
Dry to normal | Up to 24 months | Pigment holds best and fades gradually and evenly |
Combination | Around 12–18 months | Oilier zones, often the centre of the brow, fade sooner |
Oily | Around 12 months or less | Excess oil can blur strokes and break down pigment faster |
Mature or thinning | Varies | Pigment can last, but healing is slower and less predictable |
These are typical ranges, not promises. Skin type has more influence than almost anything else, and a consultation is the best way to get an honest estimate for your skin.
What affects how long microblading lasts?
1. Skin type. As above, it is the biggest factor.
2. Sun exposure. UV is widely cited by artists and dermatologists as one of the main causes of premature fading and colour change. If you spend a lot of time outdoors or on sunny holidays, expect to need a refresh sooner. Daily SPF on healed brows helps.
3. Skincare. Retinol, retinoids, AHAs and BHAs (such as glycolic and salicylic acid) and exfoliating scrubs speed up skin turnover and are commonly linked with faster fading. Keep them away from the brow area. You can still use them on the rest of your face.
4. Lifestyle. Frequent saunas, steam rooms, heavy sweating and a lot of swimming are commonly cited as speeding up fading. None of these is a reason not to have microblading. They are simply factors to plan around.
5. How you heal. Picking flaking skin or getting brows wet too soon can reduce how much pigment holds. Following aftercare for the first two weeks sets the foundation for longevity.
6. Artist technique and pigment. Depth matters. Too shallow and pigment fades quickly, too deep and it can blur or change colour. This is one of the main reasons results vary between studios.
How to Make Your Microblading Last Longer
Follow aftercare precisely for the first 14 days, and keep the brows dry for the first 10
Don’t pick or rub flaking skin
Attend your 4-week review: if gaps or uneven areas remain, you’re eligible for a complimentary touch-up
Apply SPF to healed brows daily
Avoid retinol, AHAs and exfoliating products near the brows
Limit saunas, steam rooms and chlorinated pools
Book a refresh before the pigment fades completely
When Should You Book a Colour Boost?
Book a colour boost when you notice the colour lightening or the strokes losing definition. For many clients that is around 12–18 months, but it varies with skin type. You don’t need to wait until the brows have fully faded. Refreshing early is simpler, uses less pigment and gives a more consistent result than restoring brows that have faded unevenly.
A colour boost is a shorter appointment than the original treatment and is chargeable. Anna will advise on timing and what is needed.
Microblading vs Nano Hairstrokes: Which Lasts Longer?
Microblading | Nano hairstrokes | |
Typical longevity | 12–24 months | 18 months–3 years |
Best for longevity | Dry to normal skin | Most skin types, including oily and mature |
Complimentary touch-up | Within 4 weeks if required | Within 4 weeks if required |
Nano uses a digital machine, which deposits pigment more precisely and at a more consistent depth. For oily, combination or mature skin, it is often the better long-term choice.
You can read more in our full guide: Microblading vs Nano Hairstrokes: Which Is Right for You?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does microblading fade completely? It is semi-permanent, so yes, it fades over time. Without a colour boost, most clients see it fade substantially within one to three years.
Can microblading last 3 years? Some clients get there, but it is at the long end for microblading. Nano hairstrokes are more likely to hold definition that long.
Does microblading look bad as it fades? With quality pigment and good technique, it fades to a softer, lighter version of the original colour. Poor pigment or technique can shift towards blue, grey or red.
Is a colour boost the same as a full treatment? No. It is a shorter appointment that refreshes faded pigment, and it costs less than the original treatment.
Ready to Book?
Brow Master London is a boutique, one-to-one studio in Notting Hill, led by Anna — a multi-award-winning PhiBrows artist and 2025 UK WULOP Champion, with over 10 years' experience and 5,000+ clients.
Whether you're ready to book or still weighing up your options, we're happy to answer questions before you commit.
