Don’t Book a Microblading Touch Up Until You Read This!

Published October 6, 2025

Ready for perfect brows again? Learn the essential details about timing, healing, and cost for your microblading touch up to ensure you get the best results.

You’ve experienced the magic of microblading, waking up with perfectly sculpted, natural-looking eyebrows every single day. But like all good things, semi-permanent makeup requires a little maintenance. You’re probably wondering when it’s time for a refresh and what to expect from a microblading touch up.

Before you schedule that next appointment, let’s walk through everything you need to know to protect your investment and keep your brows looking flawless.

What is a Microblading Touch Up?

Think of a microblading touch-up not as a redo, but as a refresh. It’s a session where your artist adds pigment to areas that have faded over time. This process restores the original crispness of the hair strokes, boosts the color, and refines the shape. It keeps your brow tattoo looking sharp and defined, extending its life significantly.

There are two main types of touch-up appointments:

1. The Perfecting Session: This is the initial follow-up, typically scheduled 6–8 weeks after your first microblading appointment. It’s a crucial part of the process, used to fill in any strokes that didn’t heal perfectly and make minor adjustments to shape and color.
2. The Annual Color Boost: This is the maintenance session you’ll book every 12–18 months (or longer, depending on your needs) to refresh faded pigment and keep your brows looking their best.

When Do You Need a Microblading Touch-Up?

Knowing the right time for a brow touch up is key to getting great results. Coming in too early can damage the skin, while waiting too long might mean you need a more extensive (and expensive) session.

Signs You’re Ready for a Touch Up:

• The hair strokes have started to blur or look less defined.
• The overall color has faded by about 50% or more.
• Your brows have taken on a slightly ashy or reddish tone as the pigment breaks down.
• You find yourself reaching for your brow pencil or powder again.

Signs You Should Wait:

• Your strokes are still crisp and clearly visible.
• The color is still rich and true to the original shade.
• Your brows look full and don’t have obvious patchy spots.

Remember, less is more. The goal is to refresh, not to oversaturate the skin with pigment.

Factors That Affect How Long Your Microblading Lasts

Why do your friend’s brows last 18 months while yours start fading at 12? Several factors influence the longevity of your semi-permanent makeup.

• Skin Type: Oily skin types tend to fade faster because the excess sebum can push the pigment out and blur the strokes. Dry skin usually holds onto pigment longer.
• Sun Exposure: UV rays are the number one enemy of any tattoo, including microblading. Sun exposure breaks down pigment, causing it to fade quickly.
• Skincare Products: Active ingredients like retinoids (Retin-A), glycolic acid, and other AHAs/BHAs speed up skin cell turnover. When used near the brows, they can cause your microblading to fade prematurely.
• Aftercare: How you cared for your brows during the initial healing process has a huge impact. Following aftercare instructions precisely helps lock in the pigment for longer-lasting results.
• Lifestyle: Activities that cause excessive sweating, like frequent intense workouts or saunas, can also contribute to faster fading.

Healing Process & Aftercare

The healing process for a touch up is generally quicker and less intense than your initial session. However, following proper aftercare is just as important. Expect the color to appear darker for the first few days before settling into its final shade over the next 2–4 weeks.

Aftercare Do’s:

• Do keep the area clean and dry for the first 7–10 days.
• Do apply the aftercare ointment provided by your artist as directed. A very thin layer is all you need.
• Do wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your healing brows from the sun.

Aftercare Don’ts:

• Don’t get your brows wet. Avoid swimming, saunas, and steamy showers.
• Don’t pick, peel, or scratch the scabs. Let them fall off naturally to avoid pulling out the pigment.
• Don’t apply makeup or skincare products directly on your brows until they are fully healed.
• Don’t engage in heavy exercise that causes excessive sweating for the first week.

Risks & When to Avoid a Touch Up

Microblading is safe for most people, but there are certain times when you should postpone your appointment. Always consult your doctor if you have any concerns.

Avoid a microblading touch up if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Are prone to keloid scarring.
• Have an active skin condition on or near your brows (e.g., eczema, psoriasis, severe acne).
• Have had Botox or fillers near the brow area within the last two weeks.
• Are taking blood-thinning medication.
• Are currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Finding a Qualified Artist

The quality of your touch up depends entirely on the skill of your artist. A great artist will know exactly how much pigment to add and how to refine the strokes without damaging your skin.

At Salon Suites Palm Beach, we provide a home for some of the area’s top independent beauty professionals, including highly skilled and vetted brow artists. When you book with an expert at our location, you’re choosing a private, one-on-one experience in a fully equipped and sanitized suite. Our convenient Palm Beach location and easy parking make your visit stress-free from start to finish.

How Much Does a Microblading Touch Up Cost?

The cost of a microblading touch up can vary widely, from around $150 to $500 or more. Prices depend on several factors:

• Timing: A 6-week perfecting session is often included in the initial price or offered at a lower rate. An annual color boost will cost more.
• Artist’s Experience: Highly experienced artists with a strong portfolio command higher prices.
• Location: Costs are generally higher in major metropolitan areas.
• Extent of Fading: If your brows have faded significantly, the session will be more intensive and may cost more.

Be wary of unusually low prices. Great work requires skill, quality pigments, and sterile tools, and it’s worth the investment.