Home Skincare What Is The Microblading Ghosting Phase? – And What To Expect

What Is The Microblading Ghosting Phase? – And What To Expect

by Gabbi

Microblading offers long-term, natural eyebrows so you can wake up flawlessly each day. This beauty service uses multiple tiny needles and semi-permanent pigment to draw and mimic the look of eyebrow hairs for an undetectable finish. 

However, microblading can be time-consuming to heal from, and it may take a few weeks to enjoy your results. Healing from any beauty service can be nerve-racking, especially when you don’t know what to expect from a microblading session.

Microblading is essentially a semi-permanent eyebrow tattoo service. Once the session is completed, your eyebrows are almost like a wound that needs to recover. Also, you may notice the pigment of your brows will change during recovery.

What is the microblading ghosting phase? The ghosting phase is a normal part of healing after microblading. Your microblading results look faded because a new layer of skin has formed on top, creating the ghosting phase.

Thankfully, the ghosting phase is only a temporary portion of the microblading healing journey. However, it can be unsettling to witness your tattooed brows slowly fade. So, what else can you prepare to see during this ghosting phase?

Microblading Disappeared During Healing

Microblading allows you to enjoy your tattooed brows long term. However, you’ll need to prepare yourself before going into your appointment to ensure successful results. Also, your artist will advise you on what to expect during your recovery process.

The ghosting phase is often overlooked, but it’s a normal part of healing. Ghosting means a new layer of skin has formed over your eyebrows, causing them to look lighter or as if they’ve faded. 

The good news is that ghosting is temporary, and your eyebrow pigment will begin to resurface. 

Microblading Recovery Process

It can take up to a few weeks to fully heal from microblading. It’s crucial to remember that everyone’s body can heal differently. For example, some people will barely notice the ghosting phase, while it may be highly prominent to others.

Regardless, it’s wise to be aware of each stage of healing after a microblading service. There are a few phases of recovery, all of which are normal. Also, you’ll be able to track your progress and know when the brows are fully healed.

Intense Pigment

Once you leave the microblading chair, your eyebrows are very pigmented. It can look scary to see how intense your tattooed brows will look immediately after the service.

However, it’s completely normal that they’re a darker color than you’ve imagined. The intensified pigment will slowly fade as you continue the healing process. 

Scabbing/Crusting

Your tattooed brows are an open wound that needs to heal. Also, the skin has undergone minor trauma thanks to the microneedling tool. So, you’ll notice the skin will slowly start to form scabs and flakes. 

The pigment may seem to have fallen off during this phase entirely, but it’s also a regular part of recovery. The most important thing to do is keep the area clean and avoid picking at it.

Ghosting

Once the scabs or skin start to fall off on its own, you’ll enter the ghosting phase. During this part of recovery, you’ll notice that your brows aren’t nearly as pigmented as when you first left the microblading chair.

A new layer of skin has covered the brows, causing your results to look too light or faded. However, the ghosting phase is an essential part of healing, and it’s only temporary. 

Pigment Resurfaces

Multiple factors play into successful microblading results. This includes preparation for your service, the experience of your artist, and the aftercare routine. If everything has gone according to plan thus far, your pigment will resurface.

A few days after the ghosting phase, the tattooed brows will begin to look more pigmented. This is when you’ll witness the actual and healed outcome.

When Does The Ghosting Phase Begin?

So when can you expect the ghosting phase to begin? Ghosting can arise when your scabs slowly start to fall off on their own to reveal a new layer of healed skin covering the brows. Also, not everyone will have the same experience with ghosting. 

Ghosting can be more noticeable for some than for others. If you notice your results look faded or subdued, it may point out that you’re in the ghosting phase. Ghosting can occur a few days to a week following your service.

What Does Microblading Ghosting Look Like?

We mentioned that the ghosting phase creates the illusion that your microbladed brows look faded. If you’re not aware of ghosting, it can be worrisome to see your results disappear. However, with patience, the pigment will start to resurface.

You may notice a few scabs covering your brows or a new layer of skin that looks like a translucent veil. Ghosting can be very prominent, or it can be very minimal during the recovery time. 

How Long Does The Ghosting Phase Last? 

Your eyebrows may have various scabs or skin crusts that form during the first week of recovery. However, avoid picking them at all costs because it can hinder the ghosting and reminder of the recovery process.

Ghosting can appear about a week following your service and last for another week until the pigment resurfaces. However, this is also dependent on scabs and skin crusts. 

Each person will heal in different timelines, so this is the average time it can take to go through the ghosting phase. 

How To Care For Your Eyebrows During The Ghosting Phase

Aftercare plays a considerable role in the healing process. Your aftercare routine can also determine the results of your microblading service. Also, how can you care for your brows during the ghosting phase?

Stay Patient

Patience will be essential during the ghosting phase. It can take a few days or even about a week for your pigment to resurface. You may also have residual scabs or skin crusts that can be tempting to pick, but try to avoid it at all costs.

Even during the ghosting phase, picking at scabs can hinder your results. When your pigment eventually does come back, you can have a patchy effect if you picked at your eyebrows.

Clean Your Eyebrows Daily

The only time you should wet your brows is when you are cleaning the microbladed area. Your artist should provide instructions on gently and thoroughly washing your eyebrows. This is crucial to the healing process.

Washing your brows is essential to healing because it avoids the build-up of lymph that can promote more scabbing. Following your artist’s aftercare routine can keep your recovery on track.

Keep The Eyebrow Area Dry

The entire microblading area should be kept dry when you’re not cleansing your eyebrows. Water and moisture can disrupt the healing process of microblading and reduce its appearance. So, you’ll want to keep them dry for the first few weeks.

Your microblading artist may recommend avoiding showering and sweating for the first 48 hours after your treatment. However, excessive sun, water, and moisture exposure can weaken the pigment even after the ghosting phase. 

Avoid Picking Scabs

Finally, you’ll want to avoid picking or pulling your scabs. They should be left alone entirely until your eyebrows transition into the ghosting phase. Also, you may still have residual flakes during the ghosting phase. 

However, if you pick at your scabs, it can alter how the pigment resurfaces. For example, peeling a scab can make it challenging to retain the microblading tattoo. Then, when you heal, you’ll notice you can be left with a patchy result.

You risk some parts of your eyebrows being more pigmented than others. 

Other Aftercare Advice

Aftercare is crucial to the success of your microblading. We mentioned that you should exclusively avoid water and moisture for the first 24-48 hours after your service. Then, you should limit exposure to these elements in the following weeks.

Aftercare will ensure that your scabs heal and the ghosting phase passes with ease. Your microblading artist will most likely give you in-depth aftercare instructions to help you get the best outcome.

Don’t Apply Makeup Or Specific Skincare 

You’ll want to avoid applying makeup on or around your microbladed brows. Makeup can be challenging to remove on a sensitive and tattooed area. It can also increase the risk of infection or impact how intense the pigmentation looks.

Also, you’ll want to avoid various skincare products like retinoids, chemical exfoliants, or anti-aging products. These items promote cell turnover and eventually cause your microblading to fade away.

Avoid Moisture 

You’ll want to avoid overexposure to water and moisture. The first two days will be the most strict and limit showering, washing your face, and sweating. You’ll still want to minimize contact with moisture even after the first two days.

For example, exercising, swimming, and sleeping on your face will be wise to avoid for 10-14 days. Saunas and steam can also hinder your outcome. First, follow the instructions given to you by your artist.

Limit Sun Exposure 

Finally, you’ll want to limit sun exposure. 

The sun can also quickly break down the pigment from your microblading session. So, it’s ideal to avoid the sun before and after your service. It may not be helpful, especially when going through a ghosting phase.

The sun can increase the chances of discoloration, scarring, and peeling. You may also want to apply SPF daily to protect your skin.

Reasons Why Pigment May Not Resurface

The biggest question regarding the ghosting phase is will my pigment resurface? In most cases, you can expect your microbladed brows to look more vivid about a week after the ghosting phase. 

However, if you’re still having trouble seeing your results, a few things can hinder the healing process. Also, it can make it more challenging to see pigment after the ghosting phase, and you may need to go in for a touch-up.

Picking Scabs

Picking or peeling your scabs can alter your results. This is because the scabs need to fall off on their own and remain undisturbed. If you pick your scab, it can affect your ghosting phase and the rest of the healing process.

For example, if you pick off a scab in one area of the brow and leave the others, you may get a patchy result. Because the scab has peeled off, it can take the pigment with it. So, when your brows heal, some areas will look more vivid than others. 

Improper Microblading Technique

Your healing and ghosting phase also relies on the hands of your microblading artist. It’s crucial to pick an artist or clinic that’s experienced and licensed in microblading. The improper microblading technique can lead to multiple complications. 

An inexperienced stylist can increase the chance of scars and infection and decrease the chance of color retention.  

Infection

Unfortunately, there are multiple ways you can get an infection during microblading. First, the tools of your microblading artist must be properly sterilized to avoid transferring bacteria. However, you can also be allergic to the tattooing pigment. 

Infection can also occur with the wrong aftercare routine. For example, if you pick your scabs or don’t clean your brows, it may lead to complications. All of these factors can affect the ghosting phase.

Skin Type & Tone 

Your skin type and tone may also play a role in your microblading results. For example, those with a darker complexion may notice a much lighter pigment on their brows during the ghosting phase. 

Those with oily skin may have a more difficult time retaining the tattoo color. However, skin type and tone shouldn’t pose as great of an issue in the hands of an experienced professional. 

Improper Aftercare 

Your results will only last as long as you take care of them. The healing process can be more difficult for some than for others. Regardless, you’ll want to follow your artist’s instructions to ensure you promote a healthy recovery process.

Some aftercare guidelines can include avoiding water, moisture, friction, and picking scabs. Healing time can vary by person but can last for a few weeks. 

When To Contact Your Microblading Artist 

If you notice your ghosting phase lasts longer than expected, it may be time to contact your microblading artist. They may suggest rescheduling a touch-up appointment if the pigment has disappeared even after the ghosting phase.

Multiple factors can contribute to faded eyebrows. Also, if you notice signs of infection, you’ll want to seek help from your artist or medical professional immediately.

When To Schedule A Touch-Up Appointment

If your microbladed brows have failed to resurface pigment even past the ghosting phase, you may need to go in for a touch-up. This can also be an option if your brows have a patchy result. 

However, you may need to wait up to 12 weeks before another session. You may also want to consult your microblading artist. Microblading can potentially last a few years with the proper care and touch-up services. 

Final Thoughts

Overall, the ghosting phase during the microblading healing process is entirely normal. It may arise after a few scabs have fallen off or about a week following your service. Also, it may take about another week for the pigment to resurface.

It’s important to remember everyone will have a different experience during the ghosting phase. There are multiple reasons why the pigment has difficulty resurfacing. 

Lastly, contact your licensed and experienced microblading artist if you have questions or concerns.

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