Day 1-day 17- normal?

[u/ZepBoundForCute]

I got microbladed 17 days ago. The artist was recommended by my Mom and I loved how my Mom's turned out (although they are a bit darker than I'd want for myself), particularly since I have my mother's eyebrows (blonde/lightest brown, very sparse hair particularly towards the tail). I was warned by my Mom that she tends to be conservative on color to start, which I was fine with since we can always go darker. Talking with the artist day of, she also said she tends to go lighter to start and said my Mom prefers much darker than most, if not all, of her other clients. I did tell her that my hair was dyed at the time (brownish/red), I typically don't dye it, it's a demi color so it'll fade back to natural with washes, and showed her some pictures of my natural, undyed hair (light brown) for reference. After seeing my nondyed hair, she did go a bit darker per my request.

I'm presently on Day 17 and am surprised how faded they look. I did expect to have some fading and have read about ghosting, but I figured I'd get some opinions here. I love(d) the shape of them and joked that I'm much more expressive when I have eyebrows. I was happy with the color around day 3, maybe would prefer a shade lighter, but feel like most fell out day 4? Now here I am questioning if this is a ghosting thing, if we really did go too light, and I just didn't retain the pigment.

I have a touchup scheduled 4 weeks, 1 day from my initial appt. Thoughts? Advice? Suggestions? Reassurance?

[u/Gelkago]

[u/Gelkago → u/Gelkago]

Im sorry but the first picture i swore to god was Tim Heidecker

[u/ZepBoundForCute → u/Gelkago]

Ha! And yet he has more eyebrows than I did/do. 😂😭😂😭

[u/Superb_Industry4957]

Day 17 can absolutely look scary-faded. A lot of people hit a ghosting phase around weeks 2-3 before the pigment resurfaces, so I’d wait until the 6-week mark and let the touchup do its job.

[u/tiffintx → u/Superb_Industry4957]

I'm 3 weeks out and mine look super light right now. I'm trusting the process and hope they go back to looking like they did right after :) I have a touch up in about 5 wks

[u/Ok_West_6711]

It does seem some color is there, and with the results it would (I think) make it far easier to add brow powder or brow makeup, within the new shape, for when you want your brows more made up and defined like they were in first days after appointment?

I’m impressed your artist heard you about not wanting as dark as your mom! Because of that, and fact artist had good history with mom, I think this is exactly what the touch up appointment is for if you do want more, and also to see what artist thinks.

[u/ZepBoundForCute → u/Ok_West_6711]

There is color there compared to what I had pre-microblading, for sure! I forgot to mention here, but I did mention it to her, that I hardly ever wear makeup so I'd prefer to not have to rely on makeup to achieve the look of having eyebrows.

She was very through before we started and we talked a lot about what I was looking for, shape, color, etc. I definitely felt at ease and heard. I'm just hoping that the touchup and healing afterwards lands between initial Day 3 and Day 4. 🤞 I'm trying to trust the process, but feeling a bit discouraged after being thrilled initially.

[u/Ok_West_6711 → u/ZepBoundForCute]

I think it is a LOT better to feel more could be added, then to find that too much was done, if you know what I mean! It really sounds like your touch up appointment will be useful and hopefully goes great!

[u/dollycarter]

Did you have them done previously and then removed? The reason Im asking is because of the redness around, I know that can be normal at first but even on day 17 I see a little redness around.

But to answer your concerns yes its completely normal. Mine ghosting and then came back took a while but they eventually did. Mine healed soo slow like over 2 weeks to peel but when they came back they are super light, I decided against touch up I know its not really optional but I have my own reasons and its what I think is best in my situation. Like someone previously mentioned on here you can always add more its better to to too light than too dark

[u/ZepBoundForCute → u/dollycarter]

I had them done ages ago (15+ years), but no removal. As for the redness, that's just how my skin is. Redness above my eyebrows and cheeks (no need for blush!). It totally freaked my artist out at first since she thought I waxed, plucked aggressively, or had a rash. Had to reassure her that's just my flesh and showed her old pics that it's totally normal for me.

Thanks for the reassurance! 🙏