After undergoing a permanent brow treatment, you’ve finally got rid of your sparse, thin brows, only to get blindsided with greying eyebrow tattoos.
Does that sound like something has happened to you?
If so, don’t worry. There’s no need to despair.
From corrective treatments to tattoo removal procedures, there are plenty of options to bring those dull brows back to life!
If you want to learn why eyebrow tattoos turn grey, ways to prevent it, and most importantly, how to fix the issue, keep reading!
Why do Eyebrow Tattoos Turn Grey?
Eyebrow tattoos turning grey is not a natural course of action.
Fading is inevitable with time, but brows turning grey or ashy only a few months after the procedure is an anomaly.
It happens for various — preventable — reasons. Discovering the causes can be the key to preventing or treating them.
Here are some of the most common reasons for your eyebrow tattoo turning grey.
- Ink/Pigment Quality
The pigment injected into the skin does not contain a single shade; it is often a mix of varying shades of black, brown, and blue. When pigment begins to fade, black and brown are the first to go, leaving a tinge of blue/grey in their wake.
However, when the greyish tone is visible right from the start, it’s either because the pigments were not mixed properly, or the quality of the pigments was subpar.
Poor-quality pigments are prone to oxidizing, which can lead to grey tones in your brows.
- Neglecting to Follow Proper Precautions
While permanent makeup solutions such as powder brows have a short downtime and healing period, they still require proper precautions. Neglecting to follow these precautions can also lead to greying tattoos.
For instance, clients are always advised to avoid sweaty workout sessions, consuming alcohol, or applying acids and retinol on the face soon after the treatment, as all of these can affect the pigment underneath the skin.
Another precaution you need to take after the treatment is to protect your brows from direct sunlight. Prolonged sun exposure and UV radiation can alter the makeup of the pigment, accelerating the fading process and leading to color changes.
- Improper Technique
There’s a proper technique for achieving perfect brows using permanent makeup. If the artist doesn’t have the know-how or the certification, they might inject the pigment too deep or not deep enough.
When that happens, the color doesn’t stick to the skin properly, which can lead to color bleeding or those dreaded grey brows.
What Can Be Done to Fix Greying Eyebrow Tattoos?
Thankfully, greying eyebrow tattoos can be fixed.
Here’s what you can do to improve the appearance of your brows and perform some damage control:
- Color Correction
Color correction could be the solution you’re looking for. If you experience greying tattoos just a few months after the treatment, chances are the improper mixing of the pigment is the culprit.
A professional artist will likely recommend color correction, where they’ll reintroduce brown or black hues to balance out the cool tones and neutralize the shade.
- Touch-Ups
After about a year, brows can change color. If time is the reason for your greying tattoos, you’ll need to go for a touch-up session with a professional powder brow artist to refresh those colors.
They’ll reintroduce pigment, restore the original color, and make your brows as good as new.
- Laser Treatments
If you’re dealing with especially stubborn grey pigment, laser treatment can remove the ink or adjust it accordingly. This option offers a reliable solution.
However, it is a more invasive corrective measure compared to other options. Some prefer this method, while others treat it as a last resort.
How to Prevent Your Powder Brows from Turning Grey?
For those who are planning to make the best decision of their lives by opting for powder brows, don’t worry about greying tattoos.
As long as you follow precautionary measures and choose the right artist, you won’t encounter this issue.
Here is how you can ensure your eyebrow tattoo doesn’t turn grey.
- Quality Ink
Do your due diligence: research your powder brow artist, talk to their past customers, and ask them about the pigment they use for their tattoos.
This is to say, make sure your artist is only using high-quality, fade-resistant pigment. A reputable artist will take care of this before you have to ask and will inform you as well.
They’ll also choose the right color based on your skin undertones to prevent undesirable color shifts.
- Skincare Routine
Always steer clear of peels, acids, and retinol after getting any kind of tattoo. These products may be good for your skin, but not for freshly tattooed brows.
Other than that, you can maintain a good skincare routine along with moisturization to retain the integrity of the skin and the tattoo.
- Sun Protection
UV radiation is harmful, period. Tattoos or not, always wear sun protection and apply sunscreen.
- Aftercare Instructions
Pay attention to the precautions your artist asks you to take. There’s wisdom behind their instructions. Their guidelines will allow the brows to heal properly and the ink to hold better.
- Regular Touch-Ups
If you want to avoid that awkward stage in between where your brows are fading and discolored, opt for touch-up sessions. Timing your touch-up sessions wisely will keep your brows looking freshly done.
These sessions do an amazing job of refreshing your brow shape, reintroducing pigments, and maintaining the hues, addressing any fading before it becomes noticeable.
- The Right Artist
Truthfully, if your eyebrow tattoo is turning grey the fault likely lies in the hands of the artist.
The right artist will take all the precautionary measures to avoid discoloration and fading for as long as possible.
They’ll also explain all the aftercare instructions and the consequences of failing to follow them.
Powder Brows Are the Key to Flawless, Natural-Looking Brows
The best way to deal with greying eyebrow tattoos is to choose a certified and experienced artist for your semi-permanent brow procedure.
For those in the Bay Area, get premium powder brow services from Powder Brows by Claudia.
Our studio excels in the powder technique, and we love accentuating the features of our lovely clients.
Book an appointment today to enjoy soft, lush, natural-looking brows for years to come.