Do Ombré Powder Brows Fade Completely? What To Expect
One of the most common questions I get asked about Ombré Powder Brows is around longevity - specifically, do they fade away completely over time?
This is an important consideration when evaluating semi-permanent makeup options for your brows. You want to achieve beautiful results, but also have peace of mind knowing the investment will last. In my extensive experience perfecting the Ombré Powder Brows technique, I’ve found that results do gradually fade over time as the pigment slowly dissipates from the skin, but they do not disappear completely. Here’s a detailed look at what to expect with the longevity, fading process, and maintenance for Ombré powder brows:
How Long Do Ombré Powder Brows Last?
With proper aftercare, Ombré powder brows typically last from 12-24 months before requiring a touch-up. However, some fading and softening of the pigment begins occurring much earlier than that timeline.
During the first 4 weeks, expect to lose up to 40% of the initial color as your skin naturally exfoliates and adjusts to the pigment. This is totally normal! The brows will look slightly lighter and softer, but the shape and powdered effect remains intact.
From 1-6 months, fading slows down dramatically. The color will only minimally subside over this period, remaining quite stable. Most clients are still very happy with the results at the 6 month mark.
Around the 6-12 month point, signs of fading become a bit more noticeable. The powdered effect starts to look a little patchier and less crisp. Softening of the tail and ends of the brows is common.
By one year, significant fading is evident. The brows lack vibrancy and definition. Some natural gaps in shape may reemerge. Most clients opt for their first touch up around the 12-16 month mark to refresh the Ombré results.
At 24 months, the brows are likely extremely faded and light. Some residual vestige of the powdered shading usually remains if you look closely, but the overall effect is very subtle without a touch-up.
As you can see from this timeline, Ombré powder brows do not instantly vanish but slowly recede over many months. Properly cared for results can ultimately last up to 2 years for some clients before requiring touch-up.
But do keep in mind that this timeline can vary a lot depending on the amount of pigment that the artist has used on any given client. I mention this because there are many artists out there that like to go hard on the pigments, to create bolder looks (nothing wrong, as long as they know what they are doing, and the client is on board with that). And there are others, like myself, that prefer to go lighter to create a more natural result (which is the way to go for first timers who want to get a feel for the Ombré look). They key idea is going from less to more, and not the other way around because that can end up badly.
Why Do Ombré Powder Brows Fade?
Now that we’ve covered the expected longevity, let’s discuss what causes Ombré powdered brows to gradually fade over time. The main contributing factors are:
Natural Skin Exfoliation:
Our outermost skin layer, the epidermis, constantly regenerates itself by sloughing off dead skin cells and replacing them with fresh cells. This renewal process happens more rapidly on the face than other areas of skin. The tattooed Ombré pigment sits in the upper dermis, so as the epidermis exfoliates, some pigment particles are naturally shed from the body over time.
Sun Exposure:
UV exposure is the number one cause of premature fading and deterioration of cosmetic tattoo results. The sun’s rays break down the pigment particles. Ombré Brows will hold up longer if properly shielded from excessive sun exposure compared to getting frequent tanning and burns.
Quality of Pigments:
Not all pigments are created equal! Low-quality, cheap pigment brands tend to fade the fastest. Reputable PMU pigments approved for intradermal use last much longer in the skin. I exclusively use top-of-the-line pigments for longest-fading Ombré Powder Brows.
Lifestyle Factors:
Your individual lifestyle can impact fading. Factors like oily skin, medications, smoking, chemical peels, and iron deficiency all may increase pigment breakdown. Your artist will advise you on optimizing these.
Application Technique:
Proper technique is key! Powder brows applied too superficially into the skin don’t have the proper longevity. My Ombré shading skill involves implanting the pigment perfectly into the upper dermis for long-lasting results.
As you can see, while some fading is inevitable as the skin naturally regenerates itself, choosing a highly qualified artist who applies quality pigments properly makes a big difference in longevity.
Just How Much Do Ombré Powder Brows Fade?
Now that you know why powder brows fade, a common follow up question is just how much fading occurs before a refresh is needed? What do the brows look like at that pivotal 12-month mark?
The amount of fading at 12 months varies slightly person to person based on skin type and lifestyle. But in general, here is what to expect:
-The once crisp, defined ends of arches become a bit blurred.
-Overall shape remains but gaps may emerge and density decreases.
-The rich powdery effect appears patchier, inconsistent in areas.
-Color is much lighter, may look slightly greyish or cool-toned.
-The gradient shading is less dramatic from start to end.
-Some natural brow hairs may cover previously shaded skin.
The brows don't fully disappear - but the vibrancy, sharpness and polish of the initial Ombré results have noticeably diminished. The pigment requires refreshing approximately annually.
Can Ombré Powder Brows Completely Disappear?
While significant fading occurs, it’s quite rare for Ombré powder brows applied properly to disappear 100% without leaving any trace behind.
Why Do Ombré Powder Brows Do Not Fade 100%?
Even once pigment lightens significantly, it does not completely vanish from skin due to key factors:
- Residual microscopic pigment particles remain trapped in the dermis.
- The original shading acts like a blueprint that is never fully erased.
- Light applications of pigment to mimic powders brow can’t go as deep as solid tattoos.
Very aggressive laser removal is required to fully erase Ombré powdered brows. Without laser, faint remnants typically persist long-term. Your artist may work with these remnants for future touch-ups.
What Does the Touch Up Schedule for Ombré Powder Brows look like?
To keep your Ombré powder brows looking perfect, touch ups every 12-18 months are recommended. This refresh session deposits new pigment into the faded existing shading to restore vibrancy. During your initial procedure, your artist should have you schedule a 12-month checkup to assess if you’re ready for your first touch up application at that point. From then on, keep up with annual check-ins to determine your optimal Ombré powder brow refresh schedule. This varies person to person depending on rate of fading. More frequent touch ups may be needed if you have very oily skin or sun exposure. Many clients find they can go up to 18 months between appointments if some slight fading doesn’t bother them. But for perfectionists who want their brows always looking freshly powdered, annual touch ups are advised.
Ombré Powder Brows Results Over Time: What To Expect
Now that you understand the process behind Ombré powder brow fading, let’s walk through exactly what to expect with the results over time so you know what’s normal:
Immediately After Initial Session:
Your new brows will appear noticeably darker and sharper compared to your natural brows. This is common right after the initial session. Any redness, swelling, or scabbing from the procedure will subside within a week.
4 Weeks After:
Around the 4 week mark, you’ll notice the brows look softer and lighter as some excess pigment sheds. Don’t be alarmed - this is expected! The true color and shape will stabilize over the next few weeks. Exfoliation slows down.
3 Months After:
At 3 months, your Ombré powder brows results should be nicely healed, with the color, shape and powdered shading stabilized. Your brows will feel like a natural part of your face.
6 Months After:
Hitting the halfway point at 6 months, your Ombré powder brows likely still look nearly perfect, with minimal fading or lightening detected compared to month 3.
9 Months After:
As you close in on the one year mark, the first real signs of fading may emerge. The ends of the arches may look slightly less defined. The color isn’t as bold.
12 Months After:
The year mark brings noticeable fading - brows lack sharpness and vibrancy. Gaps are emerging in the shape. The pigment needs refreshing with a touch up procedure.
18 Months After:
Without a touch up, Ombré powder brows are likely profoundly faded by 18 months. The pigment is still somewhat visible but appears very light, sheer and blurred. A refresh at this point is imperative.
As you can see, Ombré powder brows gradually lighten over time - but remain somewhat visible for many months post-procedure. With proper annual touch ups, the results can be maintained beautifully long-term.
Caring for Ombré Powder Brows to Prolong Fading
While some pigment loss over time is inevitable with semi-permanent cosmetic tattoos, you can prolong your Ombré powder brow results by properly caring for them between sessions.
Here are my top tips for keeping Ombré powder brows looking vibrant for as long as possible:
- Avoid direct sun exposure on brows and always apply SPF 30+ to protect.
- Gently cleanse brows daily with mild soap and water only. Avoid chemical exfoliants.
- Apply a rich moisturizer morning and night to hydrate skin and lock in pigment.
- Do not submerge brows in bodies of water like pools, lakes, oceans for 2 weeks after initial procedure.
- Avoid sweating excessively or getting brows wet for 10 days following each appointment.
- Stay away from chemical peels, microdermabrasion and lasers near brows to avoid pigment removal.
- Avoid sleeping face down during the healing period to prevent friction on brows.
Adhering to proper aftercare under the guidance of your artist is key for keeping Ombré powder brows looking beautiful between sessions. Avoid anything that can prematurely exfoliate or damage the pigment.
Should You Get Ombré Powder Brows If You Want Long-Term Results?
For clients seeking semi-permanent brows that mimic the look of makeup powder and last with minimal upkeep, Ombré powder brows are an excellent choice. While powder brows don’t offer the multiple year longevity of a traditional microblading tattoo, their soft powdered finish better suits those desiring a lower maintenance brow look. The tradeoff is refreshing the results annually - but many find this maintenance timeline reasonable for the natural, effortless Ombré powder brow look it achieves. During your consultation, I always set transparent expectations around the longevity and fading process. My goal is for clients to feel consistently confident and satisfied with their brows, refreshed yearly or bi-yearly. Some clients only want to commit if they can go several years between procedures. In that case, microblading is a better option - I'm happy to guide you toward the right semi-permanent choice for your needs and lifestyle!
The Takeaway
I hope this thorough guide has shed light on what to expect with Ombré powder brow fading over time. While they don’t last forever, properly applied Ombré powder brows do not completely disappear either. With roughly annual touch up sessions, the beautiful, soft powdered brow results can be maintained long-term. And even once faded, some shadow of the pigment usually remains as a guide for future refreshes.
If you have any other questions about my Ombré Powder Brows services, don’t hesitate to reach out! I want each client to feel fully educated and confident in their semi-permanent brow choice. Here's to your dream brows, responsibly maintained!
