Short answer: microblading lasts 12 to 24 months. You come back for a touch-up 4 to 6 weeks after the first session, and after that most people need a refresh every 12 to 18 months. Oily or very sweaty skin fades faster, and so do brows that get wet, sunburnt or picked while they heal.
Want the treatment itself? See prices and book eyebrow microblading in Kolkata, from INR 7,900 at our Ballygunge and Gariahat studios. The price includes the consultation and a custom brow design, and usually the follow-up touch-up too.
Same day, same artist, different results
Picture two friends who book microblading on the same afternoon. One has dry skin and works in an air-conditioned office. The other has oily skin, rides to work in the afternoon heat and goes to the gym four evenings a week. A few months later, the first friend's strokes still look crisp. The second friend's brows look softer and lighter at the front.
Neither result means something went wrong. Microblading places pigment in the upper layers of the skin, more superficially than a regular tattoo, so it is meant to fade over time. How fast it fades depends mostly on your skin type and your daily habits. That is why the honest answer is a range of 12 to 24 months, not one fixed number.
What happens month by month
| When | What you will see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 to 7 | Brows look darker and bolder than the final result. Flaking and scabbing start. | Keep the brows dry and do not pick. |
| Days 7 to 10 | Scabs fall off, and 30 to 50% of the colour fades with them. | This is normal. The final shade is not visible yet. |
| Weeks 2 to 6 | The colour softens and settles into its final shape and shade. | No makeup on the brows for at least 10 days. No pools or sea while healing. |
| Weeks 4 to 6 | Touch-up session to perfect the colour and shape. | Book it when you book your first session. |
| Months 2 to 12 | Healed, settled brows. | Protect them from strong sun and keep strong skincare actives away from the brow area. |
| Months 12 to 24 | Gradual fading. Strokes look softer and lighter. | A refresh every 12 to 18 months keeps the shape. |
If your brows look too dark in the first week, that is expected. They darken as scabs form and lighten noticeably once the scabs fall off. Judge the result only after healing, which takes around 4 to 6 weeks.
What makes microblading fade faster
- Oily or very sweaty skin. Clients with oily or very sweaty skin typically see their brows fade faster. If your skin is oily, ask about ombre powder brows, which suit oily skin and give a more even, solid colour.
- Getting the brows wet while they heal. Keep water off them for the first 7 to 10 days and clean around them with a damp cloth.
- Picking at scabs. Pulling flakes off early can take pigment with them and leave uneven patches.
- Makeup on the brows too soon. Avoid makeup on or around the brows for at least 10 days.
- Retinol and anti-ageing products near the brows. Stop using them around the brow area for at least a week.
- Sun, pools and the sea during healing. Protect the brows from direct sunlight and skip swimming until they have healed.
The Kolkata factor: humidity and sweat
Kolkata's humid months mean more sweat on the forehead, and sweaty skin typically fades faster. In the first week after your session, avoid heavy sweating, which means skipping the gym and long walks in the midday heat. For a full routine for sticky weather, read our guide to caring for microbladed brows in humid weather.
Touch-ups: when and why
The first touch-up, 4 to 6 weeks after your session. Once the skin has healed, the artist fills any strokes that did not hold and fine-tunes the colour and shape. At Truly Permanent Beauty it is usually included in the microblading price.
Maintenance touch-ups, every 12 to 18 months. A refresh brings back the colour before the brows fade too far, while the original strokes are still there to guide the artist.
What if you never touch them up?
The pigment keeps fading on its own. A slight shadow of the brow shape may remain for a while, so if you plan to let them fade, expect a soft outline rather than a clean slate overnight.
Before your session
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours before. If you take blood thinners, tell us at booking, and do not stop any prescribed medicine without asking your doctor.
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning for a few days before.
- If you have sensitive skin, ask for a patch test to check for any reaction to the pigment or numbing cream.
- Plan for about 2 to 3 hours at the studio.
Still deciding whether microblading is right for you? Read the pros and cons of eyebrow microblading, or our full guide to microblading in Kolkata: cost and aftercare.
Frequently asked questions
How long does microblading last?
Microblading lasts 12 to 24 months. You need a touch-up 4 to 6 weeks after the first session, and then a refresh every 12 to 18 months.
Why did my brows look so dark in the first week?
Brows darken as scabs form in the first few days. When the scabs fall off, around day 7 to 10, 30 to 50% of the colour fades with them, and the final shade settles over 4 to 6 weeks.
Does microblading fade faster on oily skin?
Yes. Oily or very sweaty skin typically fades faster. Ombre powder brows suit oily skin and give a more even colour, so ask about them at your consultation.
How much does microblading cost in Kolkata?
At Truly Permanent Beauty, eyebrow microblading in Kolkata starts from INR 7,900, including the consultation and a custom brow design.